Thread: Need some help picking trolling motor and options

They say going to big is bad. Think about spot lock, it's nice but runs full speed to the left and over corrects. Then runs full speed to the right and over corrects. The spins again, you guessed it, it over corrects.
A high thrust and a light boat will nearly throw you out of the boat when it does this.
I have a 19ftx8ft deck boat, catches wind like crazy, the 55lb moves it just fine. Spot lock is not so violent either.
I still have 4 batteries though.
Mine is a gen1 ipilot, everyone says gen2 is better though.
If you get in a pickle and need to all stop or full speed the foot pedal is great. It's also nice to have a second driver in the boat.

Originally Posted by Baitwaster

They say going to big is bad. Think about spot lock, it's nice but runs full speed to the left and over corrects. Then runs full speed to the right and over corrects. The spins again, you guessed it, it over corrects.
A high thrust and a light boat will nearly throw you out of the boat when it does this.
I have a 19ftx8ft deck boat, catches wind like crazy, the 55lb moves it just fine. Spot lock is not so violent either.
I still have 4 batteries though.
Mine is a gen1 ipilot, everyone says gen2 is better though.
If you get in a pickle and need to all stop or full speed the foot pedal is great. It's also nice to have a second driver in the boat.

I’m not sure about other trolling motors but I’ve never had the Garmin to run at full speed when in spot lock mode it will automatically adjust speed according to the wind and hard it is blowing...its nice and smooth.


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Originally Posted by Jet Jockey

I have the terrova with remote but I mostly troll. for docks you might want the ultrex would be easier to get around and save your hand for pitching jigs.

This is the reason I bought the Ultrex. Although I have learned to tight-line and troll jigs and cranks off the back since my purchase, I still love the option of the old-school foot pedal. I use the remote far more than I ever thought but there are times when the pedal application is better. Smooth as butter, instant response and I don't have to look at the direction arrow to change direction.

As for the thrust, after talking to Brian at BBG marine, I went with the 80# 24v and very glad I did. Our 16.5 foot Alumacraft had a 55# when we bought it and it pulled our boat around fine. After getting the I-pilot and learning how to troll it is nice to have enough power to troll at a lesser setting to achieve the same speed. If there is any wind or current at all the extra power is a must IMO.

Originally Posted by Baitwaster

They say going to big is bad. Think about spot lock, it's nice but runs full speed to the left and over corrects. Then runs full speed to the right and over corrects. The spins again, you guessed it, it over corrects.
A high thrust and a light boat will nearly throw you out of the boat when it does this.
I have a 19ftx8ft deck boat, catches wind like crazy, the 55lb moves it just fine. Spot lock is not so violent either.
I still have 4 batteries though.
Mine is a gen1 ipilot, everyone says gen2 is better though.
If you get in a pickle and need to all stop or full speed the foot pedal is great. It's also nice to have a second driver in the boat.

Adjusting boat scale on link version will help that. Mine is non link and has never ran at full speed to correct. I can’t recall ever wishing that I had a less powerful trolling motor.

We have the Ulterra. The feature that you can deploy and stow the trolling motor is great. My wife loves that feature. Also, being able to record a track and then follow it from the start to finish or reverse is great. We can start a track and then set back and enjoy fishing. that is until we get hung up.

All,

Thanks for the great info. Much appreciated so far. I’m still monitoring and look forward to more experience and advice.

Thanks again,
oljd


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If money was no object I believe I’d get the garmin, but to fit your needs and best bang for your buck I think you’d be very happy with the ultrex

I've had a Terrova for about 18 months and have been very happy with it. I use the foot pedal for bank fishing in the spring, it frees up both hands for that kind of fishing. Otherwise, I use the remote. I must say it's been the best money I've spent on fishing in a long long time. It's like taking a buddy fishing but all he wants to do is drive the boat while you fish. I fish from the back of the boat, middle of the boat, front of the boat. Doesn't matter cause you can control the boat with the remote. It's such a huge game changer!