Garmin Force Kraken Trolling Motor | Black 48" Shaft | 100 lb Thrust | GT56UHD-TR Included

🚤 Saltwater-rated Garmin Force Kraken in black with built-in GT56UHD-TR transducer (CHIRP + ClearVü + SideVü). Brushless 100 lb thrust at 36V (or 80 lb at 24V), pivot-style mount, multi-band GPS Anchor Lock. 48" shaft. $3,999.

Garmin Force Kraken Black 48" with GT56UHD-TR

The Garmin Force Kraken Black 48" is the black-finish variant with built-in GT56UHD-TR transducer in the lower unit, priced at $3,999. Saltwater-rated with stainless hardware and sealed electronics, also fully freshwater-capable. Brushless motor with dual-voltage operation: 100 lb thrust at 36V or 80 lb thrust at 24V (per ISO 13342 standard). GT56UHD-TR provides CHIRP traditional sonar plus ClearVü down imaging and SideVü side imaging integrated into the trolling motor, eliminating the need for a separate transom-mount transducer. Pivot-style mount with stowed-position design preferred for tight bow spaces and deep-V hulls.

Why pick the Black variant over White? Built-in GT56UHD-TR transducer is the answer. The same trolling motor in white at $3,999 ships WITHOUT a transducer (white variants are saltwater-focused for anglers who run their own preferred saltwater transducer). For freshwater bass, crappie, and walleye anglers running Garmin ECHOMAP or GPSMAP fishfinders, the Black variant's built-in GT56UHD-TR delivers complete plug-and-play sonar without the transducer purchase ($475 separately). For saltwater anglers who want a specific saltwater transducer (different transducer optimization for saltwater applications), the White variant at the same price is correct.

Garmin Force trolling motor line: Force Current Kayak ($3,000-$3,600) is Garmin's kayak-specific trolling motor with 50 lb thrust at 24V (NOT dual-voltage). Force Pro freshwater ($4,200-$4,300) is the freshwater bow-mount flagship with built-in GT56UHD-TR, scissor-style mount, and INCLUDED foot pedal in 50" or 57" shaft, black only. Force Kraken ($4,000-$6,500) is the saltwater-rated bow-mount with pivot-style mount in 48/63/75/90/110 inch shafts, black or white finish, foot pedal sold separately. All Force Pro and Force Kraken motors are dual-voltage (100 lb thrust at 36V or 80 lb thrust at 24V per ISO 13342).

Garmin Force ecosystem integration: Garmin Force trolling motors integrate natively with Garmin Marine Network, Garmin's networking system equivalent to Humminbird One-Boat Network and NMEA 2000. Compatible Garmin fishfinders include ECHOMAP UHD2, ECHOMAP Ultra 2, GPSMAP 7400/8400/9000-series, and STRIKER series. Garmin LiveScope Plus (LVS34) and LiveScope XR (LVS62) live sonar transducers mount via Force trolling motor barrel mounts ($40 each) for forward-scan live sonar. For Lowrance ecosystems use Lowrance Ghost or Recon. For Humminbird ecosystems use Minn Kota with One-Boat Network.

Key Features

• ✅ Garmin Force Kraken Saltwater-Rated. Stainless hardware, sealed electronics, IPX5/IPX7/IPX8 ratings
• ✅ Also Freshwater-Capable. Same motor handles freshwater applications
• ✅ Brushless Motor. Ultra-quiet, longer runtime, less maintenance
• ✅ Dual-Voltage 24V or 36V. 100 lb thrust at 36V or 80 lb thrust at 24V per ISO 13342
• ✅ Pivot-Style Mount. Better for tight bow spaces, deep-V hulls, and boats with limited bow access
• ✅ 48" Composite Shaft. Indestructible, lifetime warranty
• ✅ Multi-Band GPS. Garmin's most precise positioning with built-in AHRS heading sensor
• ✅ Anchor Lock. GPS anchor hold with multi-band precision (decelerates within ~1 meter of waypoint)
• ✅ Heading Hold and Route Following. AutoPilot maintains course
• ✅ LiveScope Cable Routing Inside Shaft. First pivot-style trolling motor with internal cable routing for clean LiveScope installs
• ✅ Wireless Floating Remote Included. Point-and-go gesture steering
• ✅ Garmin Marine Network Compatible. Native ECHOMAP UHD2, GPSMAP, LiveScope integration
• ✅ LiveScope Plus / XR Compatible. Via Kraken LiveScope Mounting Bracket (sold separately, $40)
• ✅ NMEA 2000 Compatible. Standard marine networking
• ✅ Power-Pole and Talon Compatible. Operates independently alongside shallow water anchors
• ✅ Built-In GT56UHD-TR Transducer. CHIRP + ClearVü + SideVü integrated in lower unit
• ❌ No Foot Pedal Included. Wireless Remote standard. Power Steer Foot Pedal sold separately ($350). Force Pro INCLUDES foot pedal
• ❌ Single Propeller. Force Pro ships with both high-efficiency and weedless propellers, Force Kraken ships with one
• ❌ GT56UHD-TR is Garmin-Specific. For Lowrance or Humminbird ecosystems the built-in transducer has no value, pick White variant instead
• ❌ GT56UHD-TR Optimized for Freshwater. For dedicated saltwater applications running offshore, White variant lets you run Airmar saltwater transducer
• ❌ Inshore Saltwater Rating Only. IPX-rated for inshore saltwater (bays, sounds, estuaries). Not for offshore open ocean

Configuration Guide

This Force Kraken ships in a single configuration ($3,999). Black finish, 48" shaft, dual-voltage operation (100 lb at 36V or 80 lb at 24V per ISO 13342), pivot-style mount, includes built-in GT56UHD-TR transducer (CHIRP + ClearVü + SideVü) in the lower unit.

Shaft length appropriateness: 48 inch fits boats with deck height around 30-32 inches above waterline. Right for inshore boats 16-19 ft, jon boats with bow casting deck, and small flats skiffs.

Battery requirements: Dual-voltage 24V (two 12V batteries) or 36V (three 12V batteries). Same motor adjusts thrust automatically (100 lb at 36V, 80 lb at 24V per ISO 13342). Lithium strongly recommended for tournament use.

Black vs White variant at this shaft length: White Force Kraken 48 inch ships at the same price ($3,999) WITHOUT a transducer. For freshwater anglers wanting plug-and-play with Garmin ECHOMAP/GPSMAP, the Black variant (this product) is the right call. For saltwater anglers running their own saltwater-optimized transducer, the White variant saves you from throwing away the GT56UHD-TR.

Pivot-style mount vs scissor-style: Force Kraken uses pivot-style mount. Force Pro uses scissor-style with dual gas springs. Pivot-style is preferred for tight bow spaces, deep-V hulls, and boats with limited deck access. Scissor-style is preferred for traditional bass boats with open bow casting decks. The mount style is a real differentiator beyond just the saltwater rating.

LiveScope cable routing inside shaft: Force Kraken is the first pivot-style trolling motor that lets you route a LiveScope transducer cable inside the shaft for a clean install. Requires the Kraken LiveScope Mounting Bracket (sold separately, $40). Significant for Garmin LiveScope users tired of zip-tied cables exposed on the outside of the shaft.

Who This Is For

This trolling motor is best for tournament bass and crappie anglers running Garmin ecosystem on inshore boats 16-19 ft wanting saltwater-rated trolling motor with built-in GT56UHD-TR transducer for plug-and-play Garmin Force ecosystem integration.

Specifications

• Mounting: Pivot-style bow-mount (better for tight bow spaces and deep-V hulls)
• Steering: Wireless Remote (Power Steer Foot Pedal sold separately, $350)
• Thrust and Voltage: Dual-voltage: 100 lb thrust at 36V or 80 lb at 24V (per ISO 13342)
• Motor Type: Brushless variable-speed
• Water Type: Saltwater-rated, also freshwater-capable. Inshore saltwater only (not offshore)
• Built-In Sonar: GT56UHD-TR (CHIRP + ClearVü + SideVü)
• Variants Available: 1
• Price: $3,999
• SKU: 010-02573-30
• GPS: Multi-band with built-in AHRS heading sensor
• Shaft Material: Composite, indestructible, lifetime warranty
• Warranty: Garmin 3-year limited warranty plus lifetime composite shaft warranty

Compatibility Reference

• Battery: Dual-voltage 24V (two 12V batteries) or 36V (three 12V batteries). Same motor adjusts thrust automatically (100 lb at 36V, 80 lb at 24V per ISO 13342). Lithium strongly recommended for tournament use.
• Sonar: Built-in GT56UHD-TR transducer integrates with Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2, GPSMAP, LiveScope
• Garmin Marine Network: Native integration with Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2, GPSMAP 7400/8400/9000-series, STRIKER
• LiveScope: LiveScope Plus LVS34 and LiveScope XR LVS62 mount via Force barrel mounts ($40 each). Force Kraken supports cable routing inside shaft
• Power Steer Foot Pedal: Sold separately ($350)
• NMEA 2000: Compatible
• Mount: Standard bow casting deck
• Cross-compatibility: NOT cross-compatible with Lowrance, Minn Kota, or MotorGuide accessories

Warranty

Covered by Garmin's 3-year limited warranty plus lifetime warranty on the composite shaft against breakage. The 3-year Garmin warranty is one year longer than Minn Kota's standard 2-year warranty, a real point of differentiation. Carolina Sportsman Outfitters can help with warranty claims, parts orders, and installer referrals. For multi-unit Garmin networked rigs with LiveScope integration, we coordinate installer referrals in the Carolinas. Call 252-431-6001.

Frequently Asked Questions

Force Current vs Force Pro vs Force Kraken?

Force Current is Garmin's kayak-specific trolling motor (50 lb thrust at 24V only, NOT dual-voltage). Force Pro is the freshwater bow-mount flagship (100 lb thrust at 36V or 80 at 24V, dual-voltage, scissor-style mount, includes foot pedal and dual propellers, GT56UHD-TR built-in). Force Kraken is the saltwater-rated bow-mount (same dual-voltage thrust, pivot-style mount, foot pedal sold separately, transducer included only on Black variants up to 75 inch).

What does dual-voltage 24V/36V mean?

Same motor automatically adjusts thrust based on battery configuration. At 24V (two 12V batteries) you get 80 lb thrust. At 36V (three 12V batteries) you get 100 lb thrust per ISO 13342. You don't commit to voltage at purchase. Significant for tournament anglers who may upgrade from 24V to 36V over time. Force Current Kayak is the only Garmin Force motor that is NOT dual-voltage (24V only).

Force Pro scissor-style vs Force Kraken pivot-style mount?

Two different mounting systems. Scissor-style (Force Pro) uses dual gas springs and folds horizontally, preferred by traditional bass boat anglers with open bow casting decks. Pivot-style (Force Kraken) is more vertical and folds tighter, preferred for tight bow spaces, deep-V hulls, and boats with limited deck access. Mount style is a real differentiator: even freshwater anglers with deep-V hulls or limited bow space often choose Force Kraken over Force Pro for the pivot-style mount.

What is GT56UHD-TR?

Garmin's premium freshwater transducer built into Force Pro and Force Kraken Black 48"/63"/75" variants. Provides CHIRP traditional sonar plus ClearVü down imaging and SideVü side imaging. Comparable to Humminbird MEGA Down/Side Imaging and Lowrance Active Imaging HD. GT56UHD-TR works with Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2, GPSMAP 7400/8400/9000-series, and STRIKER fishfinders. Optimized for freshwater frequencies and depth performance.

Power Steer Foot Pedal vs cable-steer foot pedal?

Power Steer is Garmin's electric-driven foot pedal system (sends electronic signal to motor head, which steers electrically). Traditional cable-steer foot pedals (Minn Kota Edge, Fortrex, Ultrex) use mechanical cables to physically pull the motor head. Garmin uses electric Power Steer because Garmin Force motors don't support traditional cable-steer linkage. Slight processing delay vs cable-steer mechanical responsiveness. Force Pro INCLUDES the foot pedal in the box; Force Kraken sells it separately ($350).

How does Force Pro compare to Minn Kota Quest tier?

Force Pro 50" Black is $4,200; Minn Kota Terrova Quest 60 inch with MEGA Down/Side is $3,800. $400 difference. Both are dual-voltage. Both have built-in premium imaging (Force Pro GT56UHD-TR with CHIRP/ClearVü/SideVü; Quest MEGA Down/Side Imaging). Force Pro INCLUDES foot pedal and dual propellers; Quest does not. Force Pro has 3-year warranty + lifetime shaft; Quest has 2-year warranty + lifetime shaft. Choice is ecosystem-driven: Garmin LiveScope users pick Force Pro; Humminbird MEGA Live 2 users pick Quest.

How does Force Pro compare to Lowrance Ghost X?

Lowrance Ghost X is $3,899; Force Pro 50" Black is $4,200, $300 more. Both have built-in premium imaging. Both integrate natively with their ecosystems. Force Pro is dual-voltage; Ghost X is also dual-voltage. Force Pro INCLUDES foot pedal; Ghost X does not. Force Pro has 3-year warranty; Ghost X has 2-year. Choice is ecosystem-driven: Lowrance HDS PRO users pick Ghost X; Garmin GPSMAP users pick Force Pro.

Is Force Kraken offshore-rated?

Force Kraken is rated for inshore saltwater (bays, sounds, estuaries) with IPX5/IPX7/IPX8 protection. Not designed for offshore open ocean applications. Sportfisher captains running offshore typically use Force Kraken for inshore work and pole spreaders or autopilot systems for offshore. For inshore saltwater bay boats and large flats skiffs, Force Kraken is the right Garmin choice.

What about LiveScope cable routing inside shaft?

Force Kraken-exclusive feature. Lets you route a Garmin LiveScope transducer cable inside the trolling motor shaft for a clean install (no zip-tied cables exposed on the outside). Requires the Kraken LiveScope Mounting Bracket (sold separately, $40) plus your LiveScope transducer. Significant for Garmin LiveScope users tired of exposed cables. Force Pro does not have internal cable routing.

Battery requirements?

Force Current Kayak: 24V only (two 12V batteries). Force Pro: dual-voltage 24V (two batteries) or 36V (three batteries). Force Kraken: dual-voltage 24V or 36V. Lithium strongly recommended for tournament use, 60-70% lighter than lead-acid AGM, consistent voltage throughout discharge. Force Pro and Force Kraken at 36V deliver 100 lb thrust per ISO 13342 standard.

Warranty?

Garmin standard 3-year limited warranty plus lifetime warranty on the composite shaft against breakage. Garmin's warranty is one year longer than Minn Kota standard 2-year warranty, a real point of differentiation.

Professional installation required?

Bow-mount installation typically DIY for handy anglers (3-5 hours including mounting, battery wiring, breaker). For Garmin Marine Network integration with multi-unit ECHOMAP/GPSMAP rigs and LiveScope, networking adds complexity. Professional install ($400-$800) appropriate for first-time installers or complex multi-unit Garmin rigs. For LiveScope cable routing inside Force Kraken shaft, professional install is often preferred.

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Carolina Sportsman Outfitters has been outfitting tournament anglers and saltwater bay boat captains with Garmin Force trolling motors since the Force line launched. We help customers pick between Force Current Kayak, Force Pro, and Force Kraken based on application, ecosystem (Garmin), boat size, and freshwater vs saltwater use. Call 252-431-6001 for pre-purchase configuration questions or installer referrals.