Garmin’s Force Kraken lineup was introduced back in the summer of 2023 and this move was a perfect fit for their growing marine product line. As one of the innovation leaders in the marine electronics industry (as well as consumer and aviation), designing a robust series of saltwater trolling motors that interfaced seamlessly with the many thousands of Garmin MFDs that are currently on the market, and those that are in the planning stages, was a sound strategic move that keeps current users “in the family.” Since many boat manufacturers are also Garmin electronics distributor partners, offering Garmin multi-function displays (MFDs) as standard equipment on their vessels, the next logical progression would be to carry Garmin’s Force Kraken lineup of trolling motors to create a totally integrated (and easy to rig) experience.
Kraken Family
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 that’s measured per an ISO (International Organization for Standardization) static thrust measurement standard. With longer run times than brushed motors, Force Kraken electric motors can be counted on all day so there’s more time to focus on fishing, not running out of battery.
Wireless integration with Garmin chartplotters and smartwatches allows anglers to create routes, patterns and tracks for the trolling motor to follow while they fish.
Easily install live sonar thanks to Kraken’s LiveScope cable management system that lets anglers conveniently route the transducer cable inside the trolling motor shaft. 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. Select Kraken models include built-in sonar integration with a GT56UHD all-in-one transducer that delivers 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.
Anglers can stay on the fish with Kraken’s anchor lock that features Garmin’s most precise boat positioning technology with multi-band GPS signal reception and integrated AHRS (attitude and heading reference system) to help keep the boat in one place. Operators can navigate from anywhere in the boat with the included wireless remote that gives 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. 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.
Next Wave
Back in July of this year, Garmin expanded the product line and announced that its Force Kraken trolling motor series was now available with a 48-inch shaft length to accommodate smaller boat sizes, including pontoons, flats boats, micro skiffs and more. Kraken is engineered with a pivot-style mount for easy installation on boats where bow space is limited and offers anglers cutting-edge features, advanced precision and seamless integration, with one of the most powerful e-motors on the market.
Available at dealers now, the 48-inch Kraken is offered in both black and white models. Other Kraken e-motors include a 63-, 75- and 90-inch shaft length in white, plus 63- and 75-inch lengths in black. All black Kraken models are sold with a GT56UHD transducer. 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. garmin.com
