Overview

The Simrad Recon trolling motor is a bow-mount saltwater trolling motor that runs on 24V or 36V and delivers up to 115 lb of thrust at 36V (90 lb at 24V). Steering and boat positioning are handled through the FreeSteer joystick remote, with GPS positioning that can hold a tight 3 ft zone and lets you jog the anchor position in eight directions.

It uses a brushless motor for quiet running and includes internal compass sensor support for heading-aware control. The pivot-style mount stows and deploys manually with a riveted latch system, and the mounting pattern is set up to match many legacy brushed-motor footprints.

The shaft is carbon fiber infused and backed by a lifetime shaft warranty, with a 3-year motor warranty. For saltwater exposure, the motor uses a corrosion-resistant coating and the all-in-one cable has a UV-resistant jacket.

Key features

• Supply voltage: 24V or 36V
• Maximum thrust: 115 lb at 36V; 90 lb at 24V (measured under industry standards)
• FreeSteer joystick remote with a color, transreflective LCD and configurable buttons
• 1-degree steering adjustments with an 8-way directional anchor jog
• GPS positioning capable of holding within a 3 ft zone
• NMEA 2000 connectivity for helm integration on compatible systems
• Pivot-style bow mount with manual stow and deploy using a riveted latch system
• Carbon fiber infused shaft with lifetime shaft warranty, plus 3-year motor warranty
• Corrosion-resistant coating and UV-resistant cable jacket for saltwater exposure
• Internal compass sensor support

Variants

Recon is offered in multiple shaft lengths to match different bow heights and sea conditions.

The part number changes with shaft length. Supply voltage, maximum thrust, and core control features remain the same across the sizes. To size a shaft, measure from the waterline to the top of the bow at the mounting point and add 20 inches to get the minimum recommended shaft length.

• 000-16157-001: 54 inch shaft length. Suited to boats where the mount height above the waterline is up to 34 inches.
• 000-16158-001: 60 inch shaft length. Suited to boats where the mount height above the waterline is up to 40 inches.
• 000-16159-001: 72 inch shaft length. Suited to boats where the mount height above the waterline is up to 52 inches.

Compatibility and fit

The mounting holes match the MotorGuide Xi5 and Xi3 pattern, which can help when repowering from those motors. The holes do not align with Ghost models. During installation, confirm the deployed shaft clears the rub rail by at least 1 inch and that the head and shaft have room to swing without contacting the bow or rail.

Installation and setup

Recon uses a pivot-style bow mount and is deployed and stowed manually using the riveted latch system. If you are upgrading from an older brushed motor, dry-fit the base to confirm hole alignment before drilling, and leave enough deck space for the motor to stow flat and latch securely.

Electrical and system integration

Plan the electrical system around a 24V or 36V supply and use wiring and circuit protection that match your boat’s standards. NMEA 2000 connectivity supports integration at the helm with compatible Simrad MFDs, including NSS and NSO evo3/evo3S, while the FreeSteer remote remains the primary controller for steering and positioning. Additional bow control can be added with the Lowrance wireless foot pedal, and the Lowrance nosecone is not compatible.

Use on board

This setup is a good fit for saltwater anglers who want strong thrust for wind and current, plus GPS-based holding and quick jog adjustments when working structure, dock lines, or a drift edge. Having a handheld joystick remote also helps when you want to steer and reposition from different spots on deck instead of staying planted at the bow.

Maintenance and care

Rinse with fresh water after saltwater use and pay attention to the latch area, mount hardware, and the lower unit. Periodically inspect the cable jacket for chafe points and keep network connections clean, dry, and properly strain-relieved so vibration and spray do not work them loose.