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Posts: 111
Location: Big Lake, MN | I'm getting a new boat for next season and I have to "outfit" it. I am wondering if those of you that have the Auto Pilot on your Minn Kota, do you use the feature a lot? Is it worth the extra $$$ ? How do you benefit by having the Auto Pilot feature?
Thanks for you help! |
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Posts: 166
Location: Gurnee, Illinois | I use mine all the time. Great in the wind, you don't always have to be making corrections. Once you use it for a while you will wonder how you ever managed without it. Problems with foot pedals, that's a whole other discussion.
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Posts: 385
| I use it and like it quite a bit. It's really nice when pulling up to a spot to rig live bait. Rather than having my boat drift half way across the lake while I'm riggging suckers, just pull up to a spot, turn your autopilot on and rig your livebait while your boat is moving into position to fish you desired depth, structure. The old autopilot motors have been discontinued. The Powerdrive V2 is the new powerdrive model and has autopilot available. There is also the Terrova which won the ICAST award that comes with this feature as well. The pedals are different on both of these models and have been revamped to improve steering response and durability. |
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Posts: 111
Location: Big Lake, MN | I am on my PD constantly making corrections in an attempt to follow GPS contours...
I received a new brochure from Minn Kota and I'm seriously looking at the new Terrova. I like the revamped foot pedal, I just hope it's more durable than my PD.
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Posts: 38
Location: Port Washington, WI | I put an AP Minn Kota on the boat I bought this year and definitely would recommend it. I use it almost all the time and it seems especially helpful when fishing in windy conditions. I also use it for trolling alot as it helps to keep the boat moving in a straight line without having to make too many adjustments with the kicker motor. The boat I had last year had a PD without auto pilot and I am very glad the new one has this feature. |
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Posts: 2037
Location: lansing, il | i also went from a standard pd that i used the last 6 years to a ap this year and i love it!!! i dont htink ill own a boat without one! |
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Posts: 111
Location: Big Lake, MN | You guys are making the decision easy. Thanks for your input!! |
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Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | One of the other advantages of the autopilot is when you have a fish in the net. you can set the autopilot to take you away from structure, or at a minimum keep you off the reef or shoreline.
It also is nice if you have a really long stretch of shoreline/structure that does not need readjusting. you set it and cast away... Easier on the back and you can concentrate on one thing: Fishing!!
Steve |
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | I have a 80lb AP that will be for sale soon. The AP gets confused freqently and wanders, very annoying. Also, depending on what boat you have, it may not be enough power in any real wind. I find that it is not very often that I am on a small lake with calm winds where the AP really shines. If you find a need to adjust your position due to wind or irregular structure, a cable drive is needed unless you want to drive yourself crazy with the slow response time of the PD pedal. I'm going to replace mine with a 36v Maxxum for more power and much better boat control. ps. I had 2 universal sonars replaced this season. The cost of the parts not including labor is $120.00 ea. Also had two foot pedals go belly up for nearly $65 each. |
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| if you can wait, hold out and get the new minn kota terrova with auto pilot..new pedal is suppose to be better than the old and they do make a 101 lb 36 volt one
the autopilot feature to me is the best invention for boat control since the bow mount trolling motor...hands down.
love it love it love it.
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Posts: 5874
| I was going to order an 80 pb PD/AP/US for the new boat. I had AP's the past 5 years, and I really got to like them. I did have a small problem with my last one, but it was taken care of by calibrating it. I use the AP while casting, definately when the fish is in the net, and also use it for trolling slow when running harnesses for eyes. I wouldn't have a boat without it.
But I may just change that purchase to the Terrova, now that winter is here. I get the new boat on Wednesday, and hope to have my price and availability on the Terrova by then. The Terrova also has AP/ with a new pedal, improved Universal Sonar, and a new stow and deploy feature. |
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Posts: 385
| 80#Terova 60" shaft with US and AP goes for 1249 bucks I believe. |
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Posts: 5874
| Pretty sure mine won't cost quite that much. I'm just mostly concerned about the availability. |
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Auto Pilot