Thread: Minn Kota Ulterra......need help making decision

I have a terrova on my walleye tournament boat. That being said, I just put a brand new Ulterra on my dad's new boat. The reason for it was that I do not want him to have to or need to move up to the front of the bow and deploy the motor in rough seas. I don't want my mom to have to do it either.

A couple things I have seen right off the bat:
First, the head unit is no where near as solid as a terrova. There is a ton of slop in the shaft when it is stowed. I purchased a RAM mount to combat this when it is being trailered or when moving from spot to spot. This I don't like as the whole purpose was to NOT have to go to the bow of the boat.

I trust that they have issues worked out but, it is mechanical after all and we know everything mechanical CAN break. I would suggest putting a battery meter in place (not just the one on the unit) in order to monitor. In the event you troll all day long (like we do) I would be concerned with running out of battery. In the event you deplete the battery, the only option you have to stow the unit is to utilize the manual bypass. When this is done, the motor is no longer able to be utilized as intended and MUST be shipped to the factory or to a service center to be reset so that the electronics can be used again.

The power button MUST be turned on. Unlike a terrova where the power is on when you hit the button, the Ulterra must have power to the unit at all times in order to make it work. So, when you get in the boat, plug in the unit, you need to hit the power button. Otherwise, you are walking to the front of the boat to turn it on when you need it. Again, no point in having it if you have to go up there anyway.

Read the instructions: What one would assume to do in order to deploy the motor is NOT what actually happens. IE, you don't hit the deploy button once to deploy it, you hit it twice. To stow, you hit the button once. Seems backwards to me. I've accidentally hit a button or two while trolling. The last thing I need is to hit that while trolling and stow the motor.

If you can get past these little things I have noticed, I would say go for it. Is it working as intended for my parents? Yes. Dad is almost 70, has bad shoulders and two replaced hips. Mom has a replaced hip and knee. The last thing I need is them to be in the bow of the boat. IF there is an issue with it, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. I hope this helps.

I have one on my walleye boat and love it. I am 70 years old and have bad everything. What I do is plug it in and turn on before I launch. I also start to deploy and stow before launching to make sure it works. That is also the time to remove the trailering mount. Do everything before you get on the water and not after you get on it. Go for it and you will love it.

Mine has been flawless. Great for old folks.

Hello: You might want to wait till late fall before you buy an Ulterra , Minn Kota has a new improved versions of Terrova, Ulterra and Riptide with a greatly improved Spot Lock. My research shows it won't be available until Late November. With my Riptide I would call my spot lock an area lock because it usually keeps me within 20' of the area. Waiting to hear reviews of the new motors. Plus it will give me time to save some extra cash. Good Luck . O - R

Originally Posted by outdoorsron

Hello: You might want to wait till late fall before you buy an Ulterra , Minn Kota has a new improved versions of Terrova, Ulterra and Riptide with a greatly improved Spot Lock. My research shows it won't be available until Late November. With my Riptide I would call my spot lock an area lock because it usually keeps me within 20' of the area. Waiting to hear reviews of the new motors. Plus it will give me time to save some extra cash. Good Luck . O - R

O-R, how did you come across this info? Just curious as I would like to keep up with it myself....Thanks!

IMHO Minnkota would have to be better than the xi5? To get me to spend that kind of money again. I wonder if there will be an upgrade path for us original Guinea pigs?

Hello captdave: I'm also a member of Walleyecentral.com it is on the electronics forum on the site. You should also be able to get information right from Minn Kota. Good Luck. O - R