The Garmin Force Kraken is the newest addition to Garmin’s growing lineup of trolling motors—and it’s designed with offshore and coastal anglers in mind. Built with the same brushless tech as the original Force trolling motor, the Kraken ups the ante with longer shaft lengths, higher thrust, and a design that suits larger, heavier boats running in more demanding conditions.

It’s available in 48″, 63″, 75″, 90″, and 110″ shaft lengths, giving you options to outfit everything from shallow-draft bay boats to 40-foot offshore catamarans. That’s a big deal for boaters who’ve struggled to find a bow-mount that fits their deck and still performs in current, wind, or chop.

Power-wise, the Force Kraken runs on either 24V or 36V systems, pushing up to 100 lbs of thrust on the higher end—all while staying impressively quiet thanks to its brushless motor design. Like the original Force, the Kraken integrates seamlessly with Garmin chartplotters, allowing for wireless control, GPS anchoring, and advanced navigation features.

Whether you’re looking to quietly stalk structure, hold your position in open water, or follow a contour line hands-free, the Kraken brings serious functionality in a package that’s finally sized right for offshore and coastal anglers.

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Installing and Mounting the Kraken

Getting the Garmin Force Kraken mounted properly starts with picking the right location and making sure your bow setup can handle a trolling motor of this size. The Kraken is designed for larger saltwater boats, so it’s a bit beefier than what some anglers might be used to. Fortunately, the install process is still pretty straightforward if you plan ahead.

Mounting Location & Shaft Alignment

Choose a spot on the bow where the motor, when deployed, will be as close to the boat’s centerline as possible. This helps with tracking and keeps the boat balanced while under power or Spot-Lock. Make sure there’s enough space so the shaft can extend over the bow without hitting rails, anchor lockers, or other hardware.

The Kraken comes in 48″, 63″, 75″, 90″, and 110″ shaft lengths, so take into account how high your bow sits above the water. You want the motor head to sit at least a foot or so below the waterline when deployed. If you regularly fish rough water or offshore, go longer rather than shorter.

Mounting the Base

The Kraken uses a pivot-style mount that stows flat and swings into the water when deployed. Before drilling, lay the mount on the bow to check for clearance—both when it’s stowed and deployed. You’ll want the base of the mount to slightly overhang the bow so the shaft clears cleanly without hitting the hull.

Once you’ve confirmed placement:

• Mark your mounting holes.
• Drill carefully through the deck.
• Use stainless steel bolts, washers, and locknuts to secure it.
• If your bow deck is thin or has a hollow core, consider adding a backing plate or reinforcement block underneath for extra support.

Wiring & Power Setup

The Kraken can run on either a 24-volt or 36-volt system. On 24V, it delivers up to 80 pounds of thrust; with 36V, you’ll get a full 100 pounds—ideal for heavier offshore rigs or anyone dealing with strong current or wind.

You’ll need:

• A dedicated circuit breaker rated for the motor’s current (usually 60 amps).
• Marine-grade wiring of the correct gauge based on your battery distance (the longer the run, the thicker the wire).
• A clean, weatherproof connection either directly to the battery bank or through a trolling motor plug and receptacle setup.

Cable Management & Routing

All power and transducer cables should be routed neatly along the mount’s designated channel, typically on the starboard side of the arm. Use the included clips to keep everything tight and avoid any loose lines that could catch while deploying or stowing the motor.

Final Fit Check

Once it’s bolted down and wired up, deploy the motor and turn the shaft through a full rotation by hand. Make sure the propeller doesn’t contact the hull, trailer winch post, or any bow-mounted gear. Also check for clearance while the motor is stowed—it shouldn’t block access to hatches or stick too far into the deck space.

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Basic Controls and Operation

Once the Garmin Force Kraken is installed and powered up, using it is straightforward—but getting familiar with the core controls will make a big difference in how effectively you can fish.

Wireless Remote (Included)

Every Force Kraken includes a wireless handheld remote, which is your primary control device. It floats, is fully waterproof, and features a large, easy-to-read screen for quick navigation.

Turning the Remote On and Off

Hold the power button until the screen lights up. You’ll see Garmin’s splash screen before the main interface loads. To shut it off, just hold the same button again.

Propeller Control

You have two ways to activate the prop:

• Press the propeller button once to start or stop the motor.
• Double-press the propeller icon for full throttle mode. Great for covering water quickly—just hit it again to return to your previous speed setting.

Want to reverse? Bring your speed down to zero, then press the down arrow to engage Reverse Thrust.

Steering and Speed

You can steer in a few ways:

• Tap the left/right arrows for 1-degree turns
• Hold them for broader 5-degree shifts
• Or enable gesture steering by holding the Manual Control button and pointing the remote where you want to go

Speed is adjusted with the up/down arrows:

• Tap for small RPM changes
• Hold to ramp up or down more quickly
• A PROP indicator on the screen shows your current throttle setting

Heading Hold

Want to lock in your current heading? Tap the heading arrow button. The motor will keep your boat pointed on that bearing until you turn it off.

• Tap again to cancel and go back to manual control
• Hold the button and point the remote to set a new direction using gesture control

Anchor Lock (Spot-Lock)

To stay put over a reef, wreck, or drop-off:

• Tap the anchor icon once to engage Anchor Lock
• The motor will hold your boat in place via GPS
• Tap again to release
• Hold the anchor button and point the remote to “jog” your position—forward, backward, left, or right in 5-foot increments

Waypoints & Chartplotter Shortcuts

• Hit the waypoint icon to mark your current GPS location
• Use buttons 1 through 4 to quickly access your paired Garmin chartplotter shortcuts—great for jumping to routes or sonar views

Menu Navigation

Press the menu icon (stacked lines) to open the main menu.
Use the arrow buttons to scroll, tap right to select, and tap left to go back or exit without saving.

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Wireless Pairing & Chartplotter Integration

One of the key strengths of the Force Kraken is how seamlessly it ties into Garmin’s marine ecosystem. Once you pair it with your Garmin chartplotter, your trolling motor becomes more than just a motor—it becomes an extension of your entire navigation system.

Here’s how to get everything working together:

Pairing the Kraken with Your Garmin Chartplotter

The Kraken communicates wirelessly, so there are no data cables running from the bow to the helm. To pair it:

1. Power on both the trolling motor and the chartplotter.
2. From your chartplotter, go to:
   • Settings → Communications → Wireless Devices
3. You should see Force Kraken show up in the list of available devices.
4. Select it and follow the prompts to complete pairing.

If prompted, confirm the PIN or allow pairing directly on the chartplotter.

Once paired, you’ll be able to control the Kraken directly from the screen, see real-time motor status, and use the chartplotter for route navigation with the motor.

Integration Benefits

Pairing isn’t just about remote control—it unlocks a bunch of features:

• Route Navigation: Create or select a route on your chartplotter and the Kraken will automatically follow it, adjusting course as needed.
• Anchor Lock from Helm: Engage Spot-Lock (Anchor) from your chartplotter—handy when you’re solo or your remote isn’t nearby.
• Waypoints & Tracks: Share waypoint data between devices. You can mark a location on your Kraken remote and view it instantly on your chartplotter.
• Motor Status Display: View thrust level, heading, battery voltage, and other motor diagnostics right on the chartplotter interface.

Autopilot Integration

The Kraken’s built-in autopilot functionality becomes even more powerful when linked to your chartplotter:

• Set and follow a heading directly from your helm
• Use cruise control to maintain a precise speed
• Shift seamlessly between manual control and autopilot modes

If you’re running a compatible NMEA 2000 network, this can also feed heading data into other devices like radar, sonar, or overlays on your map screen.

Tip: Update Your Software

Before pairing, it’s a good idea to check for firmware updates on both the Kraken and your Garmin chartplotter. You can do this through the ActiveCaptain app or a memory card update via Garmin Express.

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Using Anchor Lock, Heading Hold & Cruise Control

Once you’ve got your Garmin Force Kraken installed and paired, the real magic happens when you start putting its advanced navigation tools to work. While features like Anchor Lock, Heading Hold, and Cruise Control sound self-explanatory, knowing how they actually behave on the water makes all the difference.

Let’s break it down:

Anchor Lock (Spot-Lock)

Garmin’s version of GPS anchoring is called Anchor Lock, and it’s incredibly useful for fishing, rigging gear, or holding position near structure.

• To activate: Press the anchor icon on the remote.
• The motor will automatically adjust heading and thrust to keep you pinned in place.
• Want to shift position slightly? Just hold the anchor button and gesture with the remote in the direction you want to move. It’ll nudge you 5 feet at a time in that direction (forward, back, left, or right).

Pro Tip: If you’re drifting off a ledge or targeting a specific hump, jog the boat slightly to stay right on the sweet spot—no need to disable and re-enable.

Heading Hold

This mode is perfect when you want to maintain a straight course in current, wind, or light chop—without having to constantly adjust the motor manually.

• To activate: Press the Heading Hold icon (arrow with a line).
• The Kraken will lock onto your current heading and hold it automatically.
• To adjust the heading: Tap the left or right arrow for 1° changes, or hold for 5° adjustments.
• You can also use gestures to set a new heading by pointing the remote.

This is a favorite among trollers or anyone working long drifts where a consistent course makes or breaks the bite.

Cruise Control

Cruise Control lets you hold a steady speed over ground (SOG)—particularly helpful in wind or current, where throttle control alone won’t keep you consistent.

• To activate: Tap the Cruise icon on the remote while moving.
• Your current speed is locked and the motor adjusts power as needed to maintain it.
• To disengage: Tap the button again or manually adjust the throttle.

Cruise Control shines when pulling baits at exact speeds or trying to cover water methodically while casting.

How These Features Work Together

Here’s where the Kraken really earns its name: you can use combinations of these functions.

• Heading Hold + Cruise Control: Maintain a straight course at a specific speed—ideal for open-water trolling or scouting shorelines.
• Anchor Lock + Jog: Hold position over a reef and bump around without dropping anchor or using a push pole.

These functions make it easier to fish efficiently, conserve energy, and stay dialed in on fish—not your motor.

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Final Thoughts

The Garmin Force Kraken isn’t just another entry into the trolling motor market—it’s a purpose-built solution for serious saltwater and offshore anglers who need precision, power, and seamless tech integration at the bow. With up to 100 pounds of thrust, shaft lengths reaching 90 inches, and compatibility with Garmin chartplotters and sonar systems, the Kraken is designed to handle larger, heavier boats in challenging water conditions.

What really sets it apart is the total user experience. From wireless controls and GPS anchoring to chartplotter-based navigation and smart cruise control, the Kraken removes a lot of the friction from boat handling and lets you stay focused on fishing. Whether you’re holding position on a wreck, following a GPS route, or creeping through a back bay flat, everything is at your fingertips—literally—with the handheld remote or touchscreen.

For anglers already running Garmin electronics, the Kraken is a natural fit. And for those moving into larger boats or tougher environments, it’s one of the few trolling motors that can truly keep up with offshore demands.