Help me decide

[RHuff]

 

On what trolling motor/fish finder set up to install..

 

I own a 2007 Triton Aluminum VT17 and I currently run a motorguide 12 volt Trolling Motor with a single trolling battery. I’m not sure if my boat is prewired for a 12 or 24 volt system. It seems there is an extra hookup for a batter that I don’t use (I only use my cranking battery and single trolling battery). 

 

Anyways the wife agreed on a budget of $3500 for me to upgrade my trolling motor and to add a fish finder to my bow. I run a Garmin Echomap 73sv on my console with no graph up front. 

 

I was hoping someone more knowledgeable can give me some ideas on what trolling motor/graph to install up front. I have maps, 2D, clearvu, and sidevu on my console and I have gotten pretty good with using them but I’d really like to have maps, 2D, and clearvu/downview at the bow as well... 

 

Also, what would I need to do in order to upgrade to 24 volt (if in fact my boat is only wired for 12 volt)?

[jbsoonerfan]

My only suggestion, whatever TM you decided on, make sure it has spot lock.

 

Assuming you don't have Power Poles or Talons

[RHuff]

Most definitely

[Russ E]

In regards to switching to 24 volt. 

If you have basic electrical knowledge of parallel vs series circuits it is fairly simple.

If not it is best to have someone with that knowledge assisit you.

24 volts will smoke any 12 volt equipment attached to the same circuit and 12 volt will not do a 24 volt trolling motor much good.

 

I am a Minn Kota/ Hummingbird fan.

I have a minn kota Ultrex. They pair well with hummingbird graphs.  I have a helix 7 down image/ gps graph up front.

If you want to stick with a garmin graph, I would consider the Garmin trolling motor.

As mentioned above spotlock is a must. Does not matter if you have power poles.

[ohboyitsrobby]

I personally would get an ultrex 80/45 and a Garmin echomap uhd93sv. That'd keep you in budget. I like the Garmin trolling motor but it's expensive. And with one Garmin graph you can network the 2. 

[RHuff]

Should I mount the external transducer to the base of the ultrex instead of using the universal 2D that is built in??

[Michigander]

I run an Echomap 73cv on the front with my Motorguide Xi5 and an Echomap 73sv at the console. Works well for me.

 

Last year was my first year with a GPS anchor and I would choose that over sonar up front every day of the week. I can never go back.

[RHuff]

11 minutes ago, Michigander said:

I run an Echomap 73cv on the front with my Motorguide Xi5 and an Echomap 73sv at the console. Works well for me.

 

Last year was my first year with a GPS anchor and I would choose that over sonar up front every day of the week. I can never go back.

 

This is the same setup I run at my console.. Are you happy with the xi5? How did you mount your transducer? I have been told that an external transducer can’t work because if the xi5 or ultrex spins it will wrap/break the transducer chord.

[Michigander]

1 hour ago, RHuff said:

 

This is the same setup I run at my console.. Are you happy with the xi5? How did you mount your transducer? I have been told that an external transducer can’t work because if the xi5 or ultrex spins it will wrap/break the transducer chord.

My Xi5 has an internal transducer. I tried an externally mounted one on the Fortrex I had previously and I destroyed it after a few trips on some rocks. So never again.

Yes, I am quite happy with the Xi5 overall. It has some quirks but money well spent regardless, it has resulted in a noticeable increase in how many fish I can catch in a tournament because I can actually pick a spot apart in wind and/or current.

 

Getting a two blade prop and a Ninja Blade for this year because the stock three blade prop can't handle weeds, like at all.

[RHuff]

I'm thinking of going with the Ultrex 80/45 US2 and the Echomap 73cv with Maps at the bow... I just need help figuring out how to mount the transducer and run the wiring so that it doesn't get messed up.... 

[Titan]

On 2/3/2020 at 4:35 PM, Michigander said:

My Xi5 has an internal transducer. I tried an externally mounted one on the Fortrex I had previously and I destroyed it after a few trips on some rocks. So never again.

Yes, I am quite happy with the Xi5 overall. It has some quirks but money well spent regardless, it has resulted in a noticeable increase in how many fish I can catch in a tournament because I can actually pick a spot apart in wind and/or current.

 

Getting a two blade prop and a Ninja Blade for this year because the stock three blade prop can't handle weeds, like at all.

Hey Michigander,

 

I bought an Xi5 a month ago.  I want to use the internal transducer on it.  The transducer is sonar only (no downscan or sidescan).  Do you know if a Lowrance Hook2 9 will connect directly to the transducer cable on the Xi5?  I already have a smaller Hook2 5.  It doesn't appear to have a 7 pin connector that will fit the built in transducer.

 

I wired the Hook2 5 externally and I'm having the same issue you mentioned.

[Michigander]

On 3/12/2020 at 2:17 PM, Titan said:

Hey Michigander,

 

I bought an Xi5 a month ago.  I want to use the internal transducer on it.  The transducer is sonar only (no downscan or sidescan).  Do you know if a Lowrance Hook2 9 will connect directly to the transducer cable on the Xi5?  I already have a smaller Hook2 5.  It doesn't appear to have a 7 pin connector that will fit the built in transducer.

 

I wired the Hook2 5 externally and I'm having the same issue you mentioned.

You'll need an adapter cable if the base connector doesn't fit your units cable. I needed one for my Garmin.