Help with trolling motor for 17 ft Lund

[Ksam1234]

Soo I decided to get a trolling motor with my tax return ! I’m looking to get the spot lock feature and then eventually have it sync up with a fish finder in the long run. Wondering what trolling motor would be best for this ? Price range is about 2000$.. not sure who makes a spot lock feature with that price point or how much thrust etc I would need. Any input would be nice, thank you. 

[Scott F]

Under $2k, about the only option I’m aware of is the Minn Kota Terrova, which comes in all 3 voltages. 

[Ksam1234]

4 minutes ago, Scott F said:

Under $2k, about the only option I’m aware of is the Minn Kota Terrova, which comes in all 3 voltages. 

Any experience with this ? How does it work 

[Scott F]

I’ve had my Terrova for several years and it’s worked perfectly. Unlike cable steer motors, the foot pedal is very flat. I love that I can use it with my foot on the floor and just use my toe to steer or turn it on. Newer ones than mine have improved the spot lock for closer tolerance. Unlike the Motor Guide, the remote has a screen to show you the motor status and it stores 5 spot lock points instead of 1. The new ones also require less effort to lift and stow. I don’t connect it to a depth finder but I’d seldom if ever use the follow the contour feature which is about the only real advantage to mating to a depth finder. I’d buy it again. 

[Ksam1234]

28 minutes ago, Scott F said:

I’ve had my Terrova for several years and it’s worked perfectly. Unlike cable steer motors, the foot pedal is very flat. I love that I can use it with my foot on the floor and just use my toe to steer or turn it on. Newer ones than mine have improved the spot lock for closer tolerance. Unlike the Motor Guide, the remote has a screen to show you the motor status and it stores 5 spot lock points instead of 1. The new ones also require less effort to lift and stow. I don’t connect it to a depth finder but I’d seldom if ever use the follow the contour feature which is about the only real advantage to mating to a depth finder. I’d buy it again. 

Awesome man, sounds exactly what I’m looking for ! My current trolling motor is a basic one that came with the boat. How reliable is the spot lock? Does it truly keep you pretty positioned where you want 

[Scott F]

Wind is the big variable. There is a little bit of a learning curve on using it. You need to point the boat into the wind. Then the boat has to be nearly stopped or drifting backward when you hit the spot lock. If you are still moving forward when you hit the spot lock. It will work hard to turn to get you back on the spot while the wind is pushing you around as well. The AutoPilot is one of my favorite features. Point it in the direction you want and the speed, and it will hold your course without having to pay a lot of attention. Minor course correction once in a while is all you have to do. 

 

[Ksam1234]

1 hour ago, Scott F said:

Wind is the big variable. There is a little bit of a learning curve on using it. You need to point the boat into the wind. Then the boat has to be nearly stopped or drifting backward when you hit the spot lock. If you are still moving forward when you hit the spot lock. It will work hard to turn to get you back on the spot while the wind is pushing you around as well. The AutoPilot is one of my favorite features. Point it in the direction you want and the speed, and it will hold your course without having to pay a lot of attention. Minor course correction once in a while is all you have to do. 

 

Well if you had a choice between this trolling motor or a new fish finder , which would you go with 

[Scott F]

2 minutes ago, Ksam1234 said:

Well if you had a choice between this trolling motor or a new fish finder , which would you go with 

Depends on what depth finder you have now, and what trolling motor you have.

[jbsoonerfan]

Go with the Ultrex!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I don't care if you have to wait a month to save some extra cash, it will be worth it over the Terrova. I have the Terrova and while it does the job and the spot lock is great, the pedal stinks. The deploy and stow isn't nearly as nice as a TM with a cable and handle either. I was talked into getting the Terrova by a "salseman" not a "fisherman". 

[Ksam1234]

4 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Go with the Ultrex!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I don't care if you have to wait a month to save some extra cash, it will be worth it over the Terrova. I have the Terrova and while it does the job and the spot lock is great, the pedal stinks. The deploy and stow isn't nearly as nice as a TM with a cable and handle either. I was talked into getting the Terrova by a "salseman" not a "fisherman". 

What exactly is the cable power steering ? I can probably afford 2500$ if it’s truly worth it 

[jbsoonerfan]

I'm not an engineer so I will probably muff this up and someone with more knowledge can explain it better. But a cable driven motor does just that, it works off of cables in the foot pedal that control the head which in turn controls the shaft/motor. To me, it is a more "connected" feel to the motor and gives you much more precise steering. This is very helpful in skinny water or if you get hung up and you are trying to make subtle movements to get unhung. The electric steering like on the Terrova is more of a touch to move and can be very finicky. The pedal is flat and doesn't move up and down like a cable driven pedal does. This makes it difficult to get comfortable standing with your foot on the pedal. You also have to look at the head to see which direction you are going before hitting the button if it has been a minute since you moved last. With a cable driven motor you can feel the pedal and get an idea of the direction of movement without having to look at the head. As mentioned earlier though the Auto Pilot or Constant feature is nice. You can use the 2 buttons (left and right arrows) to make slight adjustments as you troll without having to move the pedal to turn one way or the other. All in all the Terrova isn't a bad TM, I just wish someone would have told me to get the Ultrex. 

 

I hope this sort of makes sense, maybe someone will chime in with a better explanation. 

[Russ E]

19 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Go with the Ultrex!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I don't care if you have to wait a month to save some extra cash, it will be worth it over the Terrova. I have the Terrova and while it does the job and the spot lock is great, the pedal stinks. The deploy and stow isn't nearly as nice as a TM with a cable and handle either. I was talked into getting the Terrova by a "salseman" not a "fisherman". 

^^^this. I have an ultrex. Tried out a terrova a couple times, but could not get used to the pedal.

An Ultrex works like a cable steer with power assist. You still have feedback in the pedal.

I had cable drives for 30 years and never had to watch the motor to see what direction it was pointing. the Ultrex works the same way. You can tell which way it is pointing by the angle of the pedal.

With the terrova I had to constantly look at the motor to see what direction it was pointing.

I will not own a trolling motor that does not have feedback in the pedal.