You may want to wait a few days before you purchase. Looks like Humminbird and Minn Kota are introducing a new model on 7/11. You could see if your interested or at times they discount the older model to clean out inventory.
Been doing a little digging on this trying to find out something or a clue. All I have been able to come up with is the picture of the trolling motor foot with the bird emblem. Of course the guesses and speculations on line are just that but it seems some think it is going to be a change or perhaps an option to upgrade to an imaging transducer within the foot of the trolling rather than just the the us2 transducer currently offered.
Although I want SI at the bow and do prefer the image to be generated from the bow area not the transom I do not think I want the transducer mounted on the trolling motor.
Even if it is mounted internally you still will be dealing the SI blur when you turn the motor. I think I still like the "stick"style fixed transducer bow mount type of options better.
I have definitely have decided to hold off and call Brian. May even wait until the Minn Kota unveil on the 11th just to not even have the possibility of having buyers remorse of jumping a day or so early.
I do appreciate the added input I have received and it has given me options that I am considering that I really was not before. Still interested in further opinions or experiences as well.
I will post what I do after it is done. Thanks again.
You may want to wait a few days before you purchase. Looks like Humminbird and Minn Kota are introducing a new model on 7/11. You could see if your interested or at times they discount the older model to clean out inventory.
Brian at BBG beat everyone's prices on my 24v Terrova. I have a Deep-V 16.5' Lund, and it is more than enough motor. It holds in high winds and in the Ohio River current without any issue. It can pull my boat at 3.5mph too. On a 14' I would go with the 12V, as it would probably work just fine on my boat.
Eric
Call BBG get the 12v with link and be done with it. I recently got the 80# with link from him. Only reason I got the 80 is I’m planning to upgrade boats in the next year and wanted one big enough for that. The 80 on my 16’ jon will go 3.8 mph. Way overkill for that boat , but it should be good on a 20’ bass boat.
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Here's another on Service and price from Brian at BBG Marine. Over the past 3 years I've bought 4 HDS units, several accessories and 2 Trolling motors from him.
My latest purchase was an Ultrex trolling motor last month.
First class service and good prices every time.
I bought the new 55lb terrova non link from Brian last year for a 17ft Lund and really love it I have Garmin electronics so the link is not compatible which made it an easy decision for me. Cant remember what I paid but I believe he always has free shipping and his price was as good or below others I checked. I am in my 60s and the lift assist is awesome , especially in rough water as you dont need to stand up to to retract it. The only time I ran out of juice was fishing the Missouri river in stiff current otherwise like Cray the 55 is all I need.As far as the spot lock goes mine holds it extremely close except when its dead calm,then it might wonder a bit.
Marky
I did chuckle at that, on my 16 foot aluminum jet rig I sold about a 1 1/2 ago I had a 36 volt x5 with a spot lock 112 lb motor on that one and I loved it! That boat was all aluminum decking, no carpet and no extra compartments, simple single plain aluminum console and was probably just as light as my current 14' with added wooden decks and flooring.
As far as the power I can always turn the dial down for less power but once its cranked all the way up I have to settle with what is there.
I may well go with the 12 volt because of the price difference . See what Brian at BBG says he can do on the pricing.
Otherwise I have the batteries and wiring really already in place and running the 24 volt at a lower speed setting will pull fewer amps and increase battery longevity on the water.
Really trying to keep that buy once, cry once motto in my head as I have experienced that a time or two in my life where I regretted not really getting what I wanted.
Same as an outboard most people do not fuss about too much power, fuel economy maybe but not the power!
Call Brian
Okay guys, took the advice and called Brian and as you all have said it was a very good experience. I told him what models I was looking at and what I had boat wise.
I also told him my general fishing conditions and we talked about the "LINK" and for my individual situation and what I had told him he said that it would be borderline whether the link would be a worthwhile purchase for me at the added price point.
That in itself sold me on everything I had been hearing about how awesome he and the company was. Here he could easily advised the extra expenditure and higher priced unit and I would have bought it. Same with the 12-24 volt motor did not try to upsell the higher motor and advised the 12 volt was plenty sufficient.
As a result of his impressing me so I went ahead and ordered my new depth finder at the same time as well. I originally was going to get the trolling motor now and wait a bit to order the BIRD.
So I have placed my order for a Terrova #55 trolling motor with spot lock but no link and also a Hummingbird Helix 9 Mega SI.
I feel these units will be a nice upgrade to my little boat and will fulfill my needs for where and the way I fish. Also yes Brian does offer the best pricing I have found as well.
From my experience I will also now be a member of the call Brian Brigade!
So thanks to all that advised me to call BBG Marine and offered your insights to help me make my decision for my purchase.