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When Garmin dropped the Garmin Kraken trolling motor line, it wasn’t just another prop on the bow—it was the company’s answer to bigger boats, rougher water and anglers who expect the same brains in their motor that they get from their electronics. Below is a conversational but technical walk-through of what makes the Kraken a standout among Garmin trolling motors and why it could be the next good trolling motor upgrade for your rig.
Why “Kraken”? 100 lbs of Brushless Muscle
Garmin’s first Force™ unit shook up freshwater bass boats back in 2019. Kraken builds on that heritage with a quieter, brushless DC motor that still tops the thrust charts—100 lbs on 36 V and roughly 80 lbs on 24 V, validated under ISO 13342 testing. The brushless design not only cuts noise and vibration (your forward-facing sonar will thank you) but also stretches run-time so you can stay on the bite longer.
Built for Bigger Hulls — Now Up to 110 inches
Original Kraken shafts shipped in 63″, 75″ and 90″ lengths. For 2025, Garmin introduced a massive 110″ option aimed squarely at large center consoles and coastal bay boats. The pivot-style mount needs less deck real estate than the bass-boat scissor design yet keeps the motor vertical in chop, making it a true saltwater trolling motor solution.
| Shaft Lengths | Color Options | Built-in Transducer* |
| 63″ / 75″ | Black or White | Black models include GT56 UHD-TR |
| 90″ | White (plus deck stabilizer) | — |
| 110″ | White | — |
*More on transducers below. Specs confirmed on Garmin’s product page.
Anchor-Lock That Stays Put
Kraken’s dual-band GPS pairs with an integrated AHRS compass to keep you locked on a waypoint with pinpoint precision, even in cross-winds or tides. Reverse-prop algorithms can momentarily back the boat up without spinning the entire lower unit—handy when that school of redfish slides under the bow.
Four Ways to Take the Helm
- Wireless Foot Pedal – Instant steering feel for bass-style fishing.
- Floating Handheld Remote (IPX7) – Gesture steering, virtual anchor and heading-hold from anywhere on deck; it even floats.
- Garmin quatix® or Compatible Smartwatch – Tap your wrist to jog the boat or drop anchor.
- Garmin Chartplotter / Autopilot Integration – Build routes or follow contours automatically, then let Kraken do the driving.
No matter which controller you grab, latency is almost nonexistent thanks to Garmin’s proprietary 2.4 GHz wireless link.
Sonar & LiveScope™ Ready out of the Box
Black Kraken models hide a GT56 Ultra-High-Definition CHIRP/ClearVü/SideVü transducer inside the lower unit cabling, so you’re looking at clean, interference-free returns on day one. Want live sonar? A dedicated LiveScope cable channel and optional bracket keep the cable inside the shaft—no more zip-ties or pinch points.
Saltwater-Tough, Freshwater-Friendly
Every Kraken carries a three-year warranty and is rated for either fresh or salt water, using corrosion-resistant materials throughout. If you’re a crossover angler running brackish marshes during red-drum season and lakes the rest of the year, you don’t have to swap motors.
Power Management Tricks
Lose one battery on a 36-V stack? Kraken automatically shifts to 24 V so you can limp home rather than paddle. Pair the motor with lithium or high-reserve AGMs and you’ll see noticeably longer run-times versus brushed competitors
Is It the Right Boat Trolling Motor for You?
- Boats 18’–35′: Shaft options now cover bass rigs up through deep-V multispecies and full-size center consoles.
- Electronics Users: If you already run Garmin MFDs, autopilot or LiveScope, Kraken is the most seamless choice.
- Quiet-Water Hunters: Brushless silence plus precise anchor-lock lets you creep on spooky tarpon or bedded bass.
- DIY Installers: The pivot mount’s smaller footprint and included prop wrench make garage installs doable on a Saturday.
The Garmin Force Kraken trolling motor wasn’t built to join the pack; it was designed to lead it. From industry-leading thrust to GPS anchor-lock and LiveScope compatibility, Kraken brings a pro-level toolset to any serious angler—fresh or salt.
Ready to Rig Your Kraken?
Servicing Stuart, Florida, J-TEK Marine Electronics boasts decades of expertise in advanced electronic installation, repairs, and retrofits. Our team specializes in the professional installation of marine electronics, enhancing and streamlining your boating experience. Get in touch with us today to discover how Garmin marine solutions can help you make the most of your time on the water.