I pilot minn kota trolling motors
- Thread starter tcuurry
- Start date
The only con is having to keep up with the remote. But the one time I left mine at home, I learned that the foot control peddle has almost all the same functionality as the remote.
I LOVE my i-Pilot. Networked with a Humminbird and Lakemaster mapping has improved my fishing success dramatically.
The pros of the i-Pilot are too numerous for me to list. If you can afford one, I don't think you'll ever regret the purchase.
I LOVE my i-Pilot. Networked with a Humminbird and Lakemaster mapping has improved my fishing success dramatically.
The pros of the i-Pilot are too numerous for me to list. If you can afford one, I don't think you'll ever regret the purchase.
Poleaxe
Well-Known Member
It ruins you. I couldn't imagine fishing without one again. The remote is a pain at times, but if you prioritize it as much as your boat keys (first thing you get out and put around your neck and the first thing you put up) then you won't have to worry about it. Best product for a boat ever made.
shorefisherman
Well-Known Member
a friend of mine bought one when it first came out, he was using his boat like a r/c boat at the ramp 
ClubHead
Well-Known Member
If you troll crank baits for crappie you cant beat em.Networked when you find a school,it will take you back to the same waypoint to hit them again.
RF270
Well-Known Member
There are a few thing that sometimes bothers me 1)is that the motor that turns the shaft sometimes seems kind of loud. 2) If you spot lock something you have to watch the motor because under certain conditions it will twist and twist the cables until it damages them trying to stay on a spot. 3) If you are on spot lock and you touch the remote for any reason it shuts the spot lock off and you have to reset it. Nothing major just not a "perfect" machine but I still would buy it again tomorrow.
agelesssone
Well-Known Member
I have used mine for 3 years now and love it. Just ordered a new boat and guess what kind of trolling motor it will have on it?
Both motors are the 36V systems. Old one is 101# thrust, new one is 112# thrust. Both with 60 inch shaft. Fishing in rough water, the 60" stays in the water. And the 36V system will troll all day (19 ft fiberglass bassboat with 150 on the back) and still cruise the boat at 2.8 MPH at the end of the day.
BUT!!! Don't believe all the hype about the spotlock (Anchorlock). It will NOT keep you on a 5 ft brushpile, or a 10 ft brushpile. It will let you drift about 20 ft before it corrects it's position and brings you back to where you set the lock. I've used mine for three years in a lot of different scenarios so trust me, I know what I'm talking about. It's good to keep you in an "area", but not in an "anchored" position. It is still a great asset to have and use though.
The foot pedal doesn't have a lot of the functions the remote has, such as, cruise control and cruise control settings, anchor lock, tracking, recording, etc. You just get the basic functions on the foot pedal....speed adjust, constant on/off, steering, momentary on/off, auto pilot on/off.
I use mine for trolling for stripers and crappie. Crankbaits or jigs, planer boards for both. It's nice to let the trolling motor drive the boat while I put out 6-8 rods while trolling a prerecorded track over a series of brushpiles or treetops.
Having used one now for three years, can't imagine being without one. Freedom to walk anywhere in the boat while staying in control of the boat is priceless.
Both motors are the 36V systems. Old one is 101# thrust, new one is 112# thrust. Both with 60 inch shaft. Fishing in rough water, the 60" stays in the water. And the 36V system will troll all day (19 ft fiberglass bassboat with 150 on the back) and still cruise the boat at 2.8 MPH at the end of the day.
BUT!!! Don't believe all the hype about the spotlock (Anchorlock). It will NOT keep you on a 5 ft brushpile, or a 10 ft brushpile. It will let you drift about 20 ft before it corrects it's position and brings you back to where you set the lock. I've used mine for three years in a lot of different scenarios so trust me, I know what I'm talking about. It's good to keep you in an "area", but not in an "anchored" position. It is still a great asset to have and use though.
The foot pedal doesn't have a lot of the functions the remote has, such as, cruise control and cruise control settings, anchor lock, tracking, recording, etc. You just get the basic functions on the foot pedal....speed adjust, constant on/off, steering, momentary on/off, auto pilot on/off.
I use mine for trolling for stripers and crappie. Crankbaits or jigs, planer boards for both. It's nice to let the trolling motor drive the boat while I put out 6-8 rods while trolling a prerecorded track over a series of brushpiles or treetops.
Having used one now for three years, can't imagine being without one. Freedom to walk anywhere in the boat while staying in control of the boat is priceless.
tcuurry said:
Depends on size boat. I have the 70# thrust, 24-volt Terrova on a 17-foot G3 Angler (aluminum boat). I get the same performance described above. I fish tailwaters, right under turbine outflows, a lot and I can hold or move upstream in the face of some powerful current.
And I've trolled for crappie for ten hours non-stop and my batteries are still at 70 percent when I get home. It amazes me how efficient they area.
blountcountyboy
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2003
- Messages
- 1,376
- City & State/Province
- Blount CountyTN ya know over next to Cades Cove
I LOVE my terrova... PERIOD.... Trolling with it is like having someone else up front running the boat. Spot lock will keep you within casting distance of a target but, not exactly in the same spot. The "juice" that the motor pulls on a battery is little to none. Record a track and it will follow it really well.
Here's some tips and things that I've found...
First and foremost is to keep the booklet for the motor with you in your boat when you first get the trolling motor. There's a pile of stuff this thing will do and it will take a while to figure them all out.
If you have a battery go bad or get low because you forget to charge it the motor will just stop working. It won't "wind" down like other trolling motors.
When it's really cold outside warm your remote up in the truck or your pocket before you go to use it.
All the navigation features stop if you are trying to fish under a metal bridge.
If I had to list a negative thing (not that's it really bad) it would be that the system ready and auto pilot lights on the motor are pointed straight up and if your fishing at night they are SUPER bright and distracting but, a piece of black tape will fix that. If you have some in the boat.
Here's some tips and things that I've found...
First and foremost is to keep the booklet for the motor with you in your boat when you first get the trolling motor. There's a pile of stuff this thing will do and it will take a while to figure them all out.
If you have a battery go bad or get low because you forget to charge it the motor will just stop working. It won't "wind" down like other trolling motors.
When it's really cold outside warm your remote up in the truck or your pocket before you go to use it.
All the navigation features stop if you are trying to fish under a metal bridge.
If I had to list a negative thing (not that's it really bad) it would be that the system ready and auto pilot lights on the motor are pointed straight up and if your fishing at night they are SUPER bright and distracting but, a piece of black tape will fix that. If you have some in the boat.
with the powerdrive when u have the ipilot use loose the ability to use your footpedal.i have a 70 powerdrive on my boat now and had a friend who is a retired electrical engineer build be a box where i can still use my footpedal with the powerdrive.also have a terrova im gonna put on my boat this fall,if u buy either keep a spare remote bttery in the boat just in casetcuurry said:
