MotorGuide X3-55 Bow Mount (45" Shaft, Foot Pedal) Review
A 55 lb, 12 V freshwater bow-mount motor with a 45-inch shaft, foot pedal cable steering, five forward speeds and a 52 A maximum draw.
By Outdoor Spec Desk Editorial· Updated
This page was drafted with AI assistance from manufacturers' specs and manuals, and is checked by our editor.
Our verdict
The X3-55 is a straightforward foot-pedal bow mount for a small bass boat or jon boat with a front deck, if you want to steer with your foot and do not need GPS. If you want to hold a spot hands-free, the Minn Kota Terrova 55 with Spot-Lock is worth the extra weight.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Foot pedal steering leaves both hands free to fish
- Dual-cable pull-pull steering, which MotorGuide says responds instantly
- Aluminum mount, stainless steel outer shaft and stainless bushings at wear points
- Composite inner shaft with a limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- No GPS anchoring, autopilot or wireless remote
- Five fixed forward speeds and no reverse speeds listed
- MotorGuide does not list the motor's weight or a battery meter
- MotorGuide's online store now redirects to its home page, so buy from a dealer or retailer
Specifications
| Thrust | 55 lb |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 12 V |
| Shaft length | 45 in |
| Mount | Bow |
| Speed control | 5 forward (foot pedal) |
| Steering | Foot pedal, dual-cable pull-pull, with directional indicator |
| Battery meter | Not listed by MotorGuide |
| Water type | Freshwater |
| Max amp draw | 52 A |
| Weight | Not confirmed |
| Warranty | 2-year limited; composite inner shaft limited lifetime |
Who it is for
Freshwater anglers with a small bass boat, aluminum boat or jon boat with a front casting deck, who want to steer with a foot pedal and keep things mechanical and simple.
What stands out
MotorGuide's specifications list the X3-55FW with a 45 in shaft (940200090) at 55 lb of peak thrust on 12 V, with a maximum draw of 52 A, five forward speeds and pull-pull cable steering from a foot pedal with a directional indicator. MotorGuide describes a dual cable system for responsive steering, composite locking pins and bushings to cut rattle, a rigid aluminum mount, stainless bushings at key wear points, and a composite inner shaft inside a stainless steel outer shaft. It uses the three-blade Machete propeller. The warranty is 2 years, with a limited lifetime warranty on the composite inner shaft.
Where it falls short
There is no GPS anchoring or wireless remote; MotorGuide's Xi3 and Xi5 add wireless control and Pinpoint GPS options. Speed comes in five fixed forward steps, and MotorGuide does not list a battery meter or the motor's weight. It is a freshwater motor.
For GPS anchoring, compare it with the Terrova in MotorGuide X3-55 vs Minn Kota Terrova 55.
What we could not confirm
MotorGuide's online store now redirects to its home page, so our figures come from MotorGuide's 2023 product catalog and its X3 owner's manual. We could not find the weight or a current MotorGuide product page. The X3 is sold with 36, 45 and 50 in shafts and 45, 55 and 70 lb thrust, so check that the listing is the 55 lb, 45 in, foot-control freshwater model (940200090).
Frequently asked questions
- Does the MotorGuide X3 have GPS anchoring?
- No. The X3 is a cable-steer, foot-pedal motor. MotorGuide's Xi3 and Xi5 are its models with Pinpoint GPS.
- What shaft lengths does the MotorGuide X3 come in?
- MotorGuide lists 36, 45 and 50 in. This version (940200090) has a 45 in shaft.
- How much does the MotorGuide X3-55 draw?
- MotorGuide's specification table lists a maximum of 52 A on 12 V.
Sources
The specifications and claims on this page come from these manufacturer documents. Figures are the manufacturers' own unless the text says otherwise.
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VS comparison
MotorGuide X3-55 Bow Mount (45" Shaft, Foot Pedal) vs Minn Kota Terrova 55 (54" Shaft, Dual Spectrum CHIRP)
Both are 55 lb, 12 V freshwater bow-mount motors. The MotorGuide X3 steers by cable from a foot pedal, while the Minn Kota Terrova steers electrically, holds position with GPS Spot-Lock and has a built-in sonar transducer.
Updated October 22, 2026