Help me pick a trolling motor

[Bigbassfish1]

Hey Y’all, 
So I have about 3k to spend on a new TM setup, mainly because I want spotlock. Currently running an old motorguide fw46 12v, with a helix 7g3 Msi on the console, and a helix 5 g3 mdi on the bow. Boat is a triton vt17 aluminum bass boat. 

My inclination is to go with minn kota, and I’ve been leaning towards the 24v 45” with mega di built in. Might be overkill for my current fish finder setup, but would definitely allow room to potentially upgrade down the road. Only problem being the impossible backstock on ultrexs. For this reason I’ve thought about a Terrova just because they seem to be more available. I also saw scheels currently has the Terrova 24v mdi 60” with a helix 7 g4 Cho for 2400 right now, only downside being the enormous shaft, although I’ve heard it could be cut down relatively easily… so what do y’all think is the best use of my money? Obviously spending less would be great, but I’ve been on the hunt for a TM for a while, so I’m willing to pony up for the Ultrex if it’s worth it for my situation, otherwise the Terrova with helix package is temping.

[Woody B]

I'm interested in the process for cutting down a shaft.  I suppose google would be my friend.  

 

So,  I wanted spot lock, anchor, or whatever.   My boat is a tracker classic xl.  It came with a 45 pound trolling motor that was adequate.   I found a fairly new., used Minn Kota Powerdrive.  I went with a Pro-Nav GPS system.  If you add Minn Kota's i-pilot (is that what it's called?) to a powerdrive you lose the foot pedal.  I wanted to keep the pedal.  The Pro Nav stuff worked great for a month.  I've had nothing but problems since.  They've been great trying to help, but good customer service is no substitute for a working product.   The first one lost all gps signal.  They suggested a firmware update,  which fixed it for a couple weeks.   Last week it lost gps for a couple hours.  I contacted them again.  They sent me a complete new unit.   It worked this morning for 45 minutes or so.  

 

 

So,  I'm torn between getting the (backordered) GPS stuff from Minn Kota, and losing the use of the foot pedal, or buying a (backordered) Terrova.   I'd pay the price for an Ulterra in a minute just to show off the auto stow, deploy and trim but I don't want to go to 24 volts.   If I were looking at 24 volt stuff I'd strongly consider a Ghost.  (a little above your price, but I say buy once cry once)

[Bigbassfish1]

The brushless motors are pretty sweet, I wouldn’t necessarily be opposed to saving a little more for a ghost or a force, but then I figured I’d really be screwing myself into then needing compatible fish finders… I really like hummingbird, I’m finally to the point where I actually know how to use them halfway decent, and it seems for di and si, it’s hard to beat hummingbird picture quality

[GreenPig]

My Terrova SI GPS I - Pilot Linked 80 lb is linked to my Solix and is great. I've got zero experience with the Ulterra or Ultrex but have been told the Ultrex is better if fishing alot of close quarter dock fishing with a more responsive foot controls.

[ATA]

recently I watch Glenn Clip on YouTube, he is answering so many of questions. Anyways Ill go with Garmin.

 

 

 

[Captain Phil]

I bought my first Motorguide in the early seventies and they served me well for nearly thirty years.  I fished tournaments constantly and guided professionally for much of those years.  As trolling motors transitioned from mechanical to electronic, my Motorguides started breaking down constantly.  It got so bad I had to buy backup motors just to keep me on the water.  I eventually switched to Minn Kota and I will never go back.  They are hands down the best bass fishing trolling motors on the market period.  I had a Terrova on my last boat and it worked great.  You can use a remote foot pedal if you wish. The spot lock was wonderful.  My current boat, a Ranger RT178, has a 24 volt Minn Kota foot control motor.  It cuts through heavy hydrilla like no body's business.  Trust me, you want a 24 volt motor on your boat.  I haven't had a chance to use all the new motors on the market, but why would you want to take a chance when the perfect motor has already been made and proven?

[Jig Man]

7 hours ago, Bigbassfish1 said:

The brushless motors are pretty sweet, I wouldn’t necessarily be opposed to saving a little more for a ghost or a force, but then I figured I’d really be screwing myself into then needing compatible fish finders… I really like hummingbird, I’m finally to the point where I actually know how to use them halfway decent, and it seems for di and si, it’s hard to beat hummingbird picture quality

I agree with your logic.  A one network boat is the way to go.  I have an Ulterra.  I had to go that route because of my back.  I had Lowrance units.  They were not compatible with it.  $7,000 later I got there with birds.  I don’t know anything about Minn Kota except for mine but I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

[MickD]

Get spot lock or a version of it and power deploy and stow.  Then you can operate it from anywhere on the boat and as you age, you'll appreciate the power deploy and stow even more.

[eyedabassman]

I went to the Garmin Force and I am so glad I did that! Great motor and  the Garmin support is top notch! My buddy has the Ghost and he had to buy more parts and the transducer. The Force comes with it all transducer, remote ect. I would not trade my Force for anything just do your research! Good luck my Friend!  Oh plus the Force is very fast I have. 24 volt and it will run 3.7 mph on a gps. Plus you can have the foot pedal  hard wired or on battery and run it anywhere in the boat! And it is very quiet! Good luck! 

[Woody B]

6 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

Trust me, you want a 24 volt motor on your boat. 

 

 

I'm sure that pretty much everyone in this thread needs 24 volts.  I didn't mean to infer than 12 volts would be best for anyone else.  I've got a small tin boat.  The 55 pound 12 volt motor will go 3.2 mph on it.   

[Bigbassfish1]

The brushless motors are pretty sweet, I wouldn’t necessarily be opposed to saving a little more for a ghost or a force, but then I figured I’d really be screwing myself into then needing compatible fish finders… I really like hummingbird, I’m finally to the point where I actually know how to use them halfway decent, and it seems for di and si, it’s hard to beat hummingbird picture quality

 

Thanks for the feedback! As I’m still in my early 20s, I don’t mind beating on my body if it saves me some cash lol. More so, it makes me a little nervous with the auto deploy being one more thing to go wrong, and an expensive fix if/when it does go out. How do y’all like the electric steer? I’ve heard complaints about responsiveness from some, others had no issue. I do a lot of flipping brush and docks, but also tons of bluff and steep bank fishing on the white river chain of lakes. The controllability makes me wanna lean Ultrex, I’d hate to drop 2k plus on a new setup, only to miss the responsive boat control my crappy motorguide cable steer offers. While I do find myself leaning towards an Ultrex…. 2399 for a Terrova with a new helix 7 is extremely tempting. I’d possibly be getting a more complete system, but if I can’t stand the electric steer, I probably won’t be happy.  Kinda thinking I may place an order with scheels as the sale ends today, then I can think on it a little longer and return it I don’t feel like I’ll be happy. 

[eyedabassman]

I have been a bird man forever ! And they have awesome  electronics. But I did switch to Garmin and I was all set to pull the trigger on a Mega 360 and a Solix 15. But then I had  purchased the Force And now I am blown away with the live scope plus and the Garmin 126 Ultra. You can’t go wrong and everyone is different. Good luck with your new purchase!

[GaryH]

It would take some Big improvements on any other for me to switch from my Ultrex. IMO MinnKota is still #1 on the market.

[Craig P]

I suggest staying away from the Terrova if you enjoy using a pedal.  A Terrova pedal acts nothing like a cable steer or one that mimics a cable steer like an Ultrex or Garmin.

 

FWIW, I installed a Terrova on my last boat, a Deep V and I really liked it but my fishing turned more and more towards bass fishing over the years and foot control became more desirable than a remote or the pedal that came with the Terrova.  So for me, an Ultrex was a no-brainer on my new boat.  The Ultrex is also much friendlier with adding transducers as you will find yourself purchasing some type of add-on mount or DIY creativity for the Terrova to prevent crushing cables.

[Further North]

On 5/1/2022 at 11:30 AM, Woody B said:

 

 

I'm sure that pretty much everyone in this thread needs 24 volts.  I didn't mean to infer than 12 volts would be best for anyone else.  I've got a small tin boat.  The 55 pound 12 volt motor will go 3.2 mph on it.   

Minn Kota motors are (according to their website) limited to about 4.5 - 5 MPH top speed because of prop design...regardless of pounds of thrust.

I'd expect the other brands to be the same-ish.

 

On 5/1/2022 at 12:00 PM, Bigbassfish1 said:

How do y’all like the electric steer? I’ve heard complaints about responsiveness from some, others had no issue. I do a lot of flipping brush and docks, but also tons of bluff and steep bank fishing on the white river chain of lakes. The controllability makes me wanna lean Ultrex, I’d hate to drop 2k plus on a new setup, only to miss the responsive boat control my crappy motorguide cable steer offers.

I've run Terrovas since they came out until I switched to Ulterras.  They're plenty responsive.

I've never quite figured out what the "responsiveness" people worry about loosing with electric steer is all about.

...a little planning ahead takes it off the table for me.

[Bigbassfish1]

Ended up going with an Ultrex! Now the waiting game begins….

[GaryH]

55 minutes ago, Bigbassfish1 said:

Ended up going with an Ultrex! Now the waiting game begins….

Good choice. ?

[Bigbassfish1]

Any tips for the install? I was planning on going with the MKR 26 plug and MK 60a breaker, but maybe reconsidering hardwire and a cutoff. Boat current does not have a master cutoff, it’s a 2010 triton VT17. Would I also need a cutoff on the cranking battery? My fish finders, and deck lights are the only other things connected to it, and they are fused on their own. 

[NorCal Slaunch Hunter]

hey man I am looking to join the waiting game, but I was wondering what the best site to backorder an Ultrexx would be?