Thinking about swapping trolling motors

[RUGER]

The ONLY thing that I don't like about my new boat is the trolling motor.
It is a foot control and basically, for me, the frot deck is not big enough.
I can't get the foot control far enough away from me to use it effectively.

Figure I have two options.
Spend upwards of $3,500 for one with a remote, spot lock and all the fancy stuff, or just go back to a tiller handle like I used to have.

I spend 99.9% of my time sitting down when I fish now.
Just can't stand up in one spot for very long anymore.

I had a 54# thrust Motorguide on the Minnow and I sure miss it.

Anyway, there is your useless information for the day.

 

[DaveTN]

You don't have a big enough deck.

 

[RUGER]

You don't have a big enough deck.

Exactly.

 

[tnanh]

I have an Ulterra on my War Eagle and on my Lowe Pontoon. Spot lock has kept me fishing all winter and spring even on the windy days. Both are 80 lbs. of thrust. Well worth the money if they allow you to use your boat more.

 

[Big Pop]

Just went to a tiller handle bow mount MinnKota Edge as my front deck is small on my old SeaArk. Love it. Getting my Livescope finished up in a day or two as well. Can't wait to try it out.

 

[RUGER]

Just went to a tiller handle bow mount MinnKota Edge as my front deck is small on my old SeaArk. Love it. Getting my Livescope finished up in a day or two as well. Can't wait to try it out.

You will absolutely love it.

 

[WTM]

this stupid ramp board thing takes up a lot of space. im gonna remove mine and fab a plate that bolts onto the bow plate. should give about 8" more of decjk space.

 

[TNLynn]

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-offset-seat-post?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Cabelas%7CShopping%7CPMax%7CProprietary%7CGeneral%7CNAud%7CNVol%7CNMT&&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI98-3sLai_gIViAizAB3y4g8KEAQYAiABEgJwoPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Urban_Hunter]

I'm in the same boat (no pun intended). I think I'm going with the Xi5. About $1800, 80lb with spot lock and "most" of the goodies. Wireless foot control and hand held remote. You can run it from anywhere with the foot control and the remote

 

[Hduke86]

You need to call around to boat shops and ask them for take offs. You can still find a steal of a deal on some. I have a Ulterra 80 on my 16' xpress and it's the best money ever spent. I found it on Craigslist guy wanted something like $900 and it was basically new. It was on a new boat he bought and wanted to stay with all the same electronics

 

[RUGER]

View attachment 174824

this stupid ramp board thing takes up a lot of space. im gonna remove mine and fab a plate that bolts onto the bow plate. should give about 8" more of decjk space.

Yes !!

 

[Sako]

Make sure it is not one you can upgrade to remote control and GPS... I did that to mine and it was well worth the money and only took about 30 minutes to install and set up.... If it is a new boat-motor, I bet the make a add-on for it... It is a simple Google just to make sure.

 

[RUGER]

Make sure it is not one you can upgrade to remote control and GPS... I did that to mine and it was well worth the money and only took about 30 minutes to install and set up.... If it is a new boat-motor, I bet the make a add-on for it... It is a simple Google just to make sure.

Very interesting, I will check into that.

 

[kaizen leader]

The ONLY thing that I don't like about my new boat is the trolling motor.
It is a foot control and basically, for me, the frot deck is not big enough.
I can't get the foot control far enough away from me to use it effectively.

Figure I have two options.
Spend upwards of $3,500 for one with a remote, spot lock and all the fancy stuff, or just go back to a tiller handle like I used to have.

I spend 99.9% of my time sitting down when I fish now.
Just can't stand up in one spot for very long anymore.

I had a 54# thrust Motorguide on the Minnow and I sure miss it.

Anyway, there is your useless information for the day.

I bought the MinnKota Ulterra 5 years ago and it's the best investment I ever made to the boat. It has an easy hand control, spot lock, automatic direction steering, and much more. I'm 73 and was getting tired of pulling a trolling motor up and out and in. It comes with a foot control but I don't use or have on my deck. The thing is worth every penny. Good luck.

The ONLY thing that I don't like about my new boat is the trolling motor.
It is a foot control and basically, for me, the frot deck is not big enough.
I can't get the foot control far enough away from me to use it effectively.

Figure I have two options.
Spend upwards of $3,500 for one with a remote, spot lock and all the fancy stuff, or just go back to a tiller handle like I used to have.

I spend 99.9% of my time sitting down when I fish now.
Just can't stand up in one spot for very long anymore.

I had a 54# thrust Motorguide on the Minnow and I sure miss it.

Anyway, there is your useless information for the day.

 

[beefydeer]

The ONLY thing that I don't like about my new boat is the trolling motor.
It is a foot control and basically, for me, the frot deck is not big enough.
I can't get the foot control far enough away from me to use it effectively.

Figure I have two options.
Spend upwards of $3,500 for one with a remote, spot lock and all the fancy stuff, or just go back to a tiller handle like I used to have.

I spend 99.9% of my time sitting down when I fish now.
Just can't stand up in one spot for very long anymore.

I had a 54# thrust Motorguide on the Minnow and I sure miss it.

Anyway, there is your useless information for the day.

We love our Minn Kota Terrova. It has spot lock and I-Pilot. Best invention ever.

 

[TITANSFAN2104]

I have a terrova thats been in the water 6 or 7 times that came with my boat. Im planning on selling. Has remote,foot pedal, 80lb 24v, ipilot. But its a 60" Shaft. It will definitely keep you going in the roughest of water.
Im switching to Garmin since thats what all my graphs are. Hoping to wait until the new one is released!!

 

[KyRick]

Spot Lock is your FRIEND!

 

[mike243]

You should have bought a bigger boat problem solved

 

[BigRed1080]

I'm in the same boat (no pun intended). I think I'm going with the Xi5. About $1800, 80lb with spot lock and "most" of the goodies. Wireless foot control and hand held remote. You can run it from anywhere with the foot control and the remote

Have you gotten this yet? I was just looking at it and can't decide if I want to spend that much $$. I only have a 16ft hunting boat but man I think I would enjoy it more not fighting the wind or continually messing with the tiller trolling motor on the front while fishing.

 

[kaizen leader]

Have you gotten this yet? I was just looking at it and can't decide if I want to spend that much $$. I only have a 16ft hunting boat but man I think I would enjoy it more not fighting the wind or continually messing with the tiller trolling motor on the front while fishing.

Don't hesitate. Buy one you won't regret it. I promise. You won't even have to get off you butt.