Skip to main content

New from Garmin: Force Kraken Trolling Motors

The marine electronics maker expands award-winning series to a wider range of boats.

New from Garmin: Force Kraken Trolling Motors

Garmin unveiled the new Force Kraken trolling motor at ICAST 2023 in Orlando. (Photo by Scott Bernarde)

Four years ago, Garmin’s first venture into trolling motors rewarded the marine electronics manufacturer with the Best of Show award at ICAST 2019.

It was another top prize at the annual trade show for Garmin, which had won the show’s top prize previously, but only the beginning for the Force.

Enter the Kraken, "the most powerful trolling motor the recreational fishing market has ever seen,” Garmin says. One of the big unveilings this week at ICAST in Orlando, the Force Kraken takes the brand another step forward.

man catches bass using Garmin trolling motor
Photo courtesy of Garmin

“We are excited to build on the success of our Force trolling motor and bring new mounting options and features to even more anglers in both the saltwater and inland markets," said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. "From power and durability to integration and innovation, Kraken has everything anglers want and need from their trolling motor and more.”

Expected to be available in October, Kraken will be offered in white in 63-, 75- and 90-inch shaft lengths, or black in 63- and 75-inch lengths. Both black Kraken models are sold with a GT56UHD transducer. The new kayak features a pivot-style mount for easy installation on boats where bow space is limited, like skiffs, bay boats, center consoles and multi-species fishing boats. Here’s more from Garmin:

Power That Lasts

Kraken’s brushless motor uses a high-efficiency propeller to produce 100 pounds of thrust on a 36-volt system, or 80 pounds on a 24-volt system. It can move anglers from one mangrove or reef to the next more quickly, throttle back with ease when they need to fish slow and stand up better to winds and currents in rough open-water conditions. Even with all that power, Kraken is extremely efficient so anglers can count on it to fish all day. It’s also whisper quiet above and below the water and less likely to spook the fish.

Ultimate Precision; Advanced Boat Control

Utilizing multi-band GPS signal reception and integrated AHRS (attitude and heading reference system) for heading hold, Kraken delivers Garmin’s most precise boat positioning technology to help keep the boat in one place. In calm conditions, the Kraken can decelerate the motor when it’s within approximately one meter of the user-selected location. And in rough conditions, Kraken can apply more aggressive motor speed for improved performance on larger boats.

Wireless integration with Garmin chartplotters allows anglers to create routes, patterns and tracks for the trolling motor to follow while they fish, and a new illuminated arrow on the trolling motor head can allow anglers to confirm the boat’s heading at a glance.

Anglers can also use the included wireless remote to help navigate from anywhere in the boat. The remote can give anglers control of the Kraken trolling motor with precise virtual anchor lock, autopilot functionality, heading hold and point-and-go gesture steering—plus it floats. What’s more, a compatible Garmin smartwatch, like the award-winning Quatix 7 series, can also be connected to Kraken to control steering, anchor lock and more, right from the wrist.

Leading Sonar Integration

Select Kraken models include a built-in GT56UHD all-in-one transducer with Ultra High-Definition ClearVü and SideVü scanning sonar along with CHIRP traditional sonar for brilliant image clarity of structure and fish below and to the sides of the boat. Additional Garmin transducers can be added and no matter the sonar setup, Kraken’s brushless motor technology allows for clear returns with extremely low levels of unwanted noise from electrical and mechanical interference.

Garmin Kraken trolling motor
Photo courtesy of Garmin

For the first time in the industry, anglers can install forward-facing sonar, like LiveScope™, on a pivot-style trolling motor by conveniently routing the transducer cable inside the trolling motor shaft thanks to Kraken’s new LiveScope cable management system. With the Kraken LiveScope Mounting Bracket (additional purchase required), any LiveScope transducer can be installed and operated in all three modes—forward, down and perspective. This can keep the LiveScope cable safe from damage during stow or deploy and can keep the trolling motor and deck space clean and free of clutter.

Robust and Reliable Design

Led by decades of marine industry expertise and innovation, Kraken is engineered for harsh marine environments and built to withstand the rigors of extreme fishing conditions. The propeller is designed with a thinner leading edge to reduce resistance and maximize thrust, while the trailing edge is engineered to decrease aeration of the water that can cause cavitation and interfere with thrust. Rugged and durable, the sturdy composite shaft and all components have advanced corrosion and saltwater protection. It’s backed by a 3-year limited warranty and a lifetime limited warranty on the shaft, along with support through an ever-increasing servicing dealer network.

Recommended


Garmin has a long-standing commitment to build products that offer a compelling design and superior quality, and the Kraken trolling motor is no exception. For eight consecutive years, Garmin has been recognized as the Manufacturer of the Year by the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA), an honor given to the most recognized marine electronics company for support of products in the field. Suggested retail prices range from $3699.99 to $4299.99. For more information, visit garmin.com/force.

graphic showing new Garmin trolling motor
Photo courtesy of Garmin



GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Gear

Dryshod Evalusion Hunt Boots Keep Whitetail Hunters on Top of Their Game

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Gear

Lew's Custom Pro Gen 3

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Other

Light up the Salt

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Fishing

Caring for the Catch

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Fishing

Snook on the Hook

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Guns

TriStar Cobra III Field Pump Super Compact .410

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Gear

Federal Premium Freight Train Copper Sabot Slug

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Fishing

Saltwater Setup

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Fishing

Jacks to the Max

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Gear

Beilue's Best from ICAST 2024: Baits & Tackle

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Gear

Beilue's Best from ICAST 2024: Rods

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Gear

Beilue's Best from ICAST 2024: Reels

Game & Fish Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Game & Fish App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Game & Fish stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Game & Fish stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use