Garmin Force Kraken is Garmin's high-thrust 36V flagship motor — targeting heavy bass boats and challenging conditions where maximum thrust matters. Here's how it compares to the Minn Kota Ultrex 112, the established premium competitor.
Garmin's flagship high-thrust motor — 125 lb thrust at 36V, 6-inch diameter lower unit for efficiency, Force Remote, and GPS Anchor from Garmin's chartplotter network.
Minn Kota's top-thrust bow-mount — 112 lb thrust at 36V, Spot-Lock, Ultra-Quiet deployment, and One-Boat Network with Humminbird.
Force Kraken vs Ultrex 112
| Factor | Garmin Force Kraken | Minn Kota Ultrex 112 |
|---|---|---|
| Thrust | 125 lb | 112 lb |
| Voltage | 36V | 36V |
| Motor diameter | 6 inch (high efficiency) | Standard |
| Integration | Garmin ecosystem | Humminbird/Minn Kota ecosystem |
| GPS anchoring | Force Anchor (uses chartplotter GPS) | Spot-Lock (motor-internal GPS) |
Who Needs a 36V 112+ lb Motor
Boats over 21 ft, heavy center consoles, boats with full livewells and heavy gear loads, and anglers who frequently fish in high-wind or current situations where an 80 lb 24V motor runs at full throttle just to hold position. For a 19-foot bass boat in moderate conditions, 80 lb at 24V is sufficient — 112+ lb at 36V is overkill. For a 22-foot tournament boat in wind on a large impoundment, 36V 112+ lb is the right choice.