Minn Kota Riptide Instinct QUEST 90/115 Trolling Motor – 87" Shaft – Black

Built for the most demanding offshore and coastal environments, the Minn Kota Riptide Instinct QUEST 90/115 with 87-inch shaft in Black delivers the same flagship performance as the White model — in a stealth finish preferred by tournament anglers and serious offshore fishermen. The Instinct combines fully automatic stow and deploy, Power Trim, GPS-guided navigation, and the powerful brushless QUEST drive system into one premium offshore-ready package.

At this shaft length, the Instinct's Auto Stow & Deploy isn't just a convenience feature — it's a practical necessity. Manually lifting and stowing a motor of this size is impractical and potentially unsafe on a large vessel. With the push of a button via the included wireless remote, the One-Boat Network app, or a compatible Humminbird fish finder, the motor deploys, trims, and stows automatically.

Built for Big Water

The 87-inch shaft was designed for anglers who regularly fish in conditions where wind, swell, and current can lift the bow significantly. The extra shaft length helps maintain reliable propulsion and GPS anchoring performance when shorter shafts may lose effectiveness — keeping Spot-Lock engaged, steering responsive, and thrust consistent even when conditions turn challenging.

Why Choose the 87" Shaft?

The 87-inch shaft is designed for larger offshore and high-freeboard boats where maintaining propeller depth is critical. In rough seas, large swells, or strong tidal current, shorter shafts can allow the propeller to ventilate as the bow rises. The additional shaft length helps keep the prop engaged, providing more consistent thrust, steering control, and Spot-Lock performance when conditions become challenging.

Not sure if the 87" is right for your setup? Our Shaft Length Guide walks through exactly how to measure bow height and select the correct shaft for your vessel.

Why Choose the Black Finish?

The Black colorway offers the same full Instinct QUEST feature set as the White model with a low-profile, stealth appearance. Many tournament anglers and offshore fishermen prefer the black finish for its clean look on dark-hulled vessels and reduced glare on the water. Performance is identical — the choice is purely aesthetic.

Why Choose the Riptide Instinct QUEST?

The Instinct QUEST is designed for anglers who demand the ultimate in automation, performance, and offshore reliability. Key advantages include:

• Push-button Auto Stow & Deploy — essential on large offshore vessels
• Power Trim adjustment while underway
• Brushless QUEST motor for maximum torque, efficiency, and runtime
• Spot-Lock with advanced GPS anchoring
• Drift Mode for controlled offshore presentations
• Follow Mode with compatible Humminbird electronics
• Route Recording and Playback
• One-Boat Network integration
• Full saltwater-rated construction
• Carbon-fiber composite shaft with Minn Kota's lifetime shaft warranty

Best For

The 87" Black Instinct QUEST is ideal for:

• 24–30' center consoles
• Offshore fishing boats and sportfishers
• Pilothouse boats
• Larger bay boats with high freeboard
• Deep-V fishing boats
• Gulf of Mexico offshore anglers
• Atlantic offshore fishing
• Great Lakes salmon and trout boats
• Fishing reefs, wrecks, oil rigs, and open-water structure
• Tournament anglers who prefer a stealth black finish

Standout Features

Auto Stow & Deploy

Deploy or retrieve the trolling motor with a single button press. On a large offshore vessel, this is a critical safety and ergonomics feature — eliminating the heavy lifting that makes manual motors impractical at this shaft length.

Power Trim

Raise or lower the motor while fishing without leaving the helm. On larger vessels in offshore conditions, the ability to quickly adjust motor depth without manual intervention is a significant operational advantage.

QUEST Brushless Technology

The QUEST platform features a brushless motor with a reinforced mount and stronger steering system, delivering improved efficiency, longer runtime, reduced maintenance, and quieter operation — all critical on extended offshore trips.

Spot-Lock with Jog

Hold your boat within feet of your chosen location using GPS anchoring, then make precise position adjustments using the Jog feature. Invaluable when holding position over offshore wrecks, reef edges, or structure in current.

Drift Mode

Maintain a controlled drift speed and direction while compensating for wind and current. Particularly effective when drifting live bait over offshore wrecks or working deep reef edges.

Follow Mode

When paired with a compatible Humminbird fish finder, the motor automatically follows selected depth contours, vegetation edges, or bottom hardness — keeping you in the strike zone on complex offshore structure without constant steering input.

Specifications

What's Included

• Riptide Instinct QUEST Trolling Motor
• Wireless Remote
• MKA-60 Stabilizer
• Power Prop
• 30' Ethernet Cable
• Humminbird HELIX Adapter Cable
• Mounting Hardware
• Owner's Documentation

Learning Center

• How Auto Stow & Deploy Works
• What Is Power Trim and Why Does It Matter?
• Instinct QUEST vs. Terrova QUEST — Which Is Right for You?
• Is the Instinct QUEST Worth It?
• Best Boats for the Instinct QUEST
• Instinct QUEST Shaft Length Guide
• Spot-Lock with Jog — How It Works
• Drift Mode — How It Works
• Follow Mode — How It Works
• QUEST Brushless Technology — What It Means and Why It Matters
• One-Boat Network — What It Is and How to Use It
• Real-Time Battery Monitoring — How It Works

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Black version the same as the White?

Yes. The Black and White versions of the Riptide Instinct QUEST 90/115 are identical in performance, features, and specifications. The only difference is the color finish. Choose based on your boat's color scheme and personal preference.

Is an 87-inch shaft too long?

Not necessarily. An 87-inch shaft is recommended for larger boats with higher bows or for anglers who frequently fish in rough offshore conditions. Choosing the correct shaft length helps keep the propeller submerged, improving steering, thrust, and Spot-Lock performance. Minn Kota offers the Instinct QUEST in 60", 72", 87", and 100" lengths so anglers can match the motor to their boat and fishing conditions.

Does the Instinct automatically deploy and stow?

Yes. The Riptide Instinct features fully automatic stow and deploy functionality controlled via the included wireless remote, compatible Humminbird units, or the One-Boat Network app.

Can I run this on either 24V or 36V?

Yes. The dual-voltage QUEST platform operates on either a 24-volt or 36-volt battery system, delivering up to 90 lbs of thrust on 24V and up to 115 lbs on 36V. For large offshore vessels, we recommend 36V for maximum thrust and runtime.

Is this compatible with Humminbird fish finders?

Yes. It integrates with compatible Humminbird units through the One-Boat Network, enabling Follow Mode, route management, and advanced navigation features.