Garmin Force Kraken Trolling Motor — 100 lb Thrust | 48" Shaft | Black | GT56UHD-TR Transducer | GPS Anchoring
Garmin Force Kraken Trolling Motor — 100 lb Thrust | 48" Shaft | Black | GT56UHD-TR Transducer | GPS Anchoring
The Trolling Motor Built for the Complete Garmin Marine System
The Garmin Force® Kraken 48" combines an ultra-quiet brushless motor, precise multi-band GPS positioning, and seamless Garmin chartplotter integration into one premium trolling motor designed for both freshwater and saltwater anglers. Whether you're fishing bass tournaments, coastal flats, bay boats, or inshore structure, the Force Kraken delivers exceptional control, powerful thrust, and advanced navigation features that work together as a complete Garmin marine system.
This is the 48" Black model, equipped with the GT56UHD-TR transducer — providing Traditional CHIRP, ClearVü, and SideVü sonar — and selectable 24V/36V operation for flexible thrust output across a wide range of boat sizes and fishing applications.
Build Your Complete Garmin Fishing System
The Force Kraken isn't just a trolling motor — it's the foundation of a fully connected Garmin fishing system. Every component communicates with the others, giving you a level of integration no other trolling motor brand can match.
| Component | Role in the System |
|---|---|
| Force Kraken | Brushless trolling motor with integrated GPS, sonar, and wireless control |
| Garmin GPSMAP or ECHOMAP chartplotter | Command center — control Anchor Lock, follow routes, view motor status |
| Garmin Panoptix LiveScope | Real-time forward-facing sonar — see fish and structure before you cast |
| ActiveCaptain app | Smartphone control — waypoints, charts, and motor management from your phone |
| Garmin smartwatch | Wrist control — activate Anchor Lock and key functions hands-free |
Already fishing with Garmin electronics? The Force Kraken connects directly to your existing GPSMAP or ECHOMAP chartplotter via a single cable, enabling waypoint sharing, route navigation, sonar integration, and wireless control from a unified system. No additional hardware required.
Why Choose Garmin Force Kraken?
Most trolling motors are standalone products. The Garmin Force Kraken is something different: a fully integrated component of the Garmin marine ecosystem. When your trolling motor, chartplotter, sonar, smartphone, and smartwatch all communicate with each other, you fish smarter — and that's the Force Kraken's defining advantage.
- Garmin ecosystem integration — connects directly with Garmin GPSMAP, ECHOMAP Ultra, and ECHOMAP UHD2 chartplotters
- Brushless motor platform — ultra-quiet operation, exceptional efficiency, and reduced electrical noise for cleaner sonar returns
- Anchor Lock GPS — holds your position with precision in current, wind, and tide
- Reverse thrust — full-power reverse for precise boat positioning and backing out of tight spots
- Multi-band GPS — faster acquisition, greater accuracy, and more reliable positioning
- Floating wireless remote — full motor control from anywhere on the boat
- Garmin smartwatch control — activate Anchor Lock and control key functions from your wrist
- ActiveCaptain compatibility — manage waypoints, routes, and motor settings from your smartphone
- Saltwater-ready construction — built for freshwater and saltwater use
- GT56UHD-TR transducer included — Traditional CHIRP, ClearVü, and SideVü in one integrated unit
Brushless Motor Performance
The Force Kraken's brushless motor platform is one of its most significant advantages — and one that's easy to underestimate until you're on the water.
Brushless motors run dramatically quieter than traditional brushed motors. That matters for two reasons: fish don't spook as easily, and sonar interference is significantly reduced. Garmin specifically engineered the Force Kraken's brushless platform to minimize electrical noise, which means cleaner, more accurate sonar returns when paired with a compatible Garmin display.
- Ultra-quiet operation — less noise means less fish disturbance
- Reduced electrical interference — cleaner sonar returns on compatible Garmin displays
- Exceptional efficiency — more thrust per amp-hour, longer runtime per charge
- Smooth variable-speed control — precise speed adjustment across the full throttle range
- High reliability — fewer moving parts, less maintenance, longer service life
- Selectable 24V/36V — match your battery configuration to your boat and fishing style
Garmin Chartplotter Integration
This is where Force Kraken separates itself from every other trolling motor on the market. When connected to a compatible Garmin chartplotter, the Force Kraken becomes a fully integrated navigation system — not just a motor you steer with your foot.
Compatible Garmin displays include:
- Garmin GPSMAP series — flagship chartplotters with full Force Kraken integration
- Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra — premium combo units with integrated sonar and mapping
- Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 — mid-range combo units with Force Kraken compatibility
What integration enables:
- Control Anchor Lock directly from your chartplotter touchscreen
- Follow routes and tracks with the motor navigating automatically
- Share waypoints between the motor and chartplotter seamlessly
- View motor status, speed, and heading on your chartplotter display
- Activate and adjust Anchor Lock without touching the foot pedal or remote
Customers who already fish with Garmin electronics don't just prefer Force Kraken — they choose it because it's the only trolling motor that completes their existing Garmin system.
Anchor Lock GPS Positioning
Garmin's Anchor Lock uses multi-band GPS to hold your boat's position with exceptional accuracy — even in current, wind, and tidal movement. Unlike single-band GPS systems, multi-band GPS acquires satellites faster and maintains position more reliably in challenging conditions.
- Holds position in current, wind, and tide
- Multi-band GPS for faster acquisition and greater accuracy
- Activate from the foot pedal, wireless remote, chartplotter, or smartwatch
- Adjustable position jog for precise repositioning without disengaging
- Works in both freshwater and saltwater environments
Reverse Thrust — Why It Matters
The Force Kraken delivers full-power reverse thrust — a capability that competing trolling motors either don't offer or significantly limit. Most trolling motors can only move the boat forward. Force Kraken can push it backward with the same precision and power.
Real-world situations where reverse thrust changes how you fish:
- Maneuvering around docks — back out of tight slips and dock pockets without spinning the motor or using your push pole
- Backing away from structure — retreat from brush piles, laydowns, and rock piles without disturbing the area or spooking fish
- Holding position in current — use reverse to counteract current push and hold your exact position without disengaging Anchor Lock
- Tight adjustments in confined spaces — make precise fore-and-aft corrections in marinas, boat ramps, and narrow channels
- Inshore saltwater — back away from mangroves, oyster bars, and shallow structure without grounding or spinning
For inshore saltwater anglers and bass anglers who fish heavy cover, reverse thrust isn't a convenience feature — it's a precision tool that fundamentally changes how you approach structure.
GT56UHD-TR Transducer — What's Included
This model includes the GT56UHD-TR transducer, which provides three distinct sonar technologies in a single integrated unit:
| Sonar Technology | What It Shows | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional CHIRP | Classic 2D sonar — fish arches, depth, bottom composition | Deep water, vertical presentations, general sonar |
| ClearVü | High-detail scanning sonar directly beneath the boat | Structure identification, fish-to-structure separation |
| SideVü | Wide-angle scanning sonar to both sides of the boat | Locating offshore structure before you fish it |
The GT56UHD-TR transducer is integrated into the lower unit of the motor — no external mounting required, no additional cables, and no risk of damage from debris or shallow water. When connected to a compatible Garmin display, all three sonar views are available simultaneously.
Compatible displays: Garmin GPSMAP and ECHOMAP series with sonar capability.
ActiveCaptain & Smartwatch Control
The Force Kraken extends Garmin's ecosystem beyond the boat. Through ActiveCaptain, you can manage waypoints, update charts, and monitor motor status from your smartphone. Through compatible Garmin smartwatches, you can activate Anchor Lock and control key motor functions directly from your wrist — without reaching for the remote or touching the foot pedal.
For solo anglers, this level of integration is a genuine convenience advantage. For tournament anglers who need both hands free, it's a competitive tool.
Why the 48" Shaft?
The 48" shaft is the entry point of the Force Kraken lineup and the right choice for lower-profile boats where a longer shaft would place the prop too deep or create clearance issues at the bow.
Ideal boat types for the 48" shaft:
- Bass boats with standard bow heights
- Bay boats with lower bow profiles
- Fish-and-ski boats
- Smaller center consoles
- Inland freshwater fishing boats
- Aluminum multi-species rigs
Garmin offers the Force Kraken in 48", 63", 75", 90", and 110" shaft lengths to accommodate the full range of boat sizes and applications — from compact bass boats to large offshore center consoles.
Who Is Force Kraken Built For?
One of the Force Kraken's unique strengths is its versatility across fishing styles and environments. Unlike most premium trolling motors that are optimized for freshwater tournament fishing, the Force Kraken is equally at home in saltwater — making it one of the few motors that genuinely serves both markets.
Freshwater applications:
- Tournament bass fishing
- Reservoir structure fishing
- Walleye and multi-species fishing
- Great Lakes and large inland lakes
Saltwater applications:
- Inshore saltwater — redfish, snook, speckled trout
- Bay boat fishing
- Coastal flats and grass beds
- Nearshore structure fishing
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 24V / 36V Selectable |
| Shaft Length | 48" |
| Color | Black |
| Water Type | Freshwater & Saltwater |
| Motor Platform | Brushless |
| Transducer | GT56UHD-TR (Traditional CHIRP, ClearVü, SideVü) |
| GPS | Multi-band GPS |
| Anchor Lock | Yes |
| Reverse Thrust | Yes |
| Remote | Floating Wireless Remote Included |
| Chartplotter Integration | Garmin GPSMAP, ECHOMAP Ultra, ECHOMAP UHD2 |
| Smartwatch Control | Yes — compatible Garmin watches |
| ActiveCaptain | Yes |
| Mount | Bow Mount |
| Part Number | 010-02573-30 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Force Kraken saltwater safe?
Yes. The Force Kraken is built for both freshwater and saltwater use. It's one of the few premium bow-mount trolling motors designed from the ground up for saltwater durability.
What Garmin chartplotters are compatible?
The Force Kraken integrates with Garmin GPSMAP series, ECHOMAP Ultra, and ECHOMAP UHD2 chartplotters. Full integration enables chartplotter control of Anchor Lock, route following, and motor status display.
Is the GT56UHD-TR transducer included?
Yes. This model includes the GT56UHD-TR transducer, which provides Traditional CHIRP, ClearVü, and SideVü sonar when connected to a compatible Garmin display.
Can I control it from my Garmin watch?
Yes. Compatible Garmin smartwatches can activate Anchor Lock and control key motor functions directly from your wrist.
Is the 48" shaft right for my boat?
The 48" shaft is ideal for bass boats, bay boats, fish-and-ski boats, and smaller center consoles with standard or lower bow heights. If you have a larger boat or fish in rough water conditions, consider the 63" or 75" shaft options.
What batteries do I need?
For 24V operation, use two 12V deep cycle batteries. For 36V operation, use three 12V batteries. Lithium battery kits provide maximum runtime and minimum weight.
Complete Your Garmin System
The Force Kraken is designed to work as part of a complete Garmin marine system. Our specialists can help you pair the right chartplotter, sonar display, battery system, and mounting hardware for your boat.
- Garmin GPSMAP and ECHOMAP chartplotters — full Force Kraken integration
- Garmin Panoptix LiveScope — forward-facing sonar for real-time fish imaging
- Lithium battery kits — maximum runtime, minimum weight
- Onboard chargers — precision charging for lithium and AGM systems
- Quick-release mounting brackets — fast deployment and retrieval
Authorized Garmin Dealer. Full manufacturer warranty. Free nationwide shipping. Expert support before and after your purchase.
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Materials and care
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Merchandising tips
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