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Posts: 364
Location: Kentucky | Looking for some advice from those who know:
I have an 18' Tuffy Renegade with a 150 Yamaha and need to add a bowmount trolling motor and finder up front, so please help me spend the $$.
I have a Lowrance 350A on the console. Up front is probably where I'll do most of the fishing. I'm considering way too many options, X98, X91, X97, and Garmin 240 or 160. Anybody have reasons to favor one over the other? I heard the universal sonar on Minn Kota motors prohibits using the temp. features of the finder. True?
Trolling motor options:
I want a Minn Kota. What I don't know is if 65 lbs. of thrust is good enough for this boat, or if I should go for 74. I don't really want to add a battery and go to 101.
65 PowerDrive/AutoPilot: I like the idea of small 18' cable and foot pedal. But they don't make this in a 74. 2 yr. warranty.
74 Maxxum: Great motor, but the cable is a little clunky. 3 yr. warranty.
74 Genesis/AutoPilot: All the bells and whistles. Pricey. I read lots of problems about them on this board. I love the features and might part with the cash, but not if it doesn't run well. 2 yr. warranty.
Comments about the autopilot and universal sonar features? Thanks for the help! |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | 65 pounds is plenty. I ran that boat for three years, never needed more than that. I would go with any sonar you are comfortable with. They all are pretty reliable these days. The temp sensor didn't work with my Minn Kota last year, but that didn't matter, as I had temp on the console. |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | Sputterbug,
I own 2 Powerdrive AutoPilots but they're smaller than you're interested in. I've had no trouble with either one and I love the compass and soft wire control. Takes most of the work out of fishing from the front so I can really enjoy my day casting. Low batteries are an AutoPilot's worst enemy so be forewarned. People who complain about the compass feature seem to minimize the low battery issue. It's easy to ignore when you've been busting you calves with the cable controled trolling motors your whole life. I manage my batteries faithfully and only experience heading control problems when the batteries are low. The motor and Power Drive still work but at the point of low batteries I simply quit using the AutoPilot. Hope this helps.
(p.s. See the AutoPilot in the backgroud of my picure?)
Edited by stephendawg 2/12/2003 12:16 AM
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Posts: 364
Location: Kentucky | Thanks for the helpful replies. I've never used anything but the 74 lb. Maxxum so I can't really compare to the PowerGlide/AutoPilot electric steer.
Some guys say get the most power you can put up there, which would favor the Maxxum, and they like the responsiveness of cable steer. Others say PowerGlide for ease of use. Anyone else used both and have an opinion?
Also, autopilot and universal sonar opinions? Thanks! |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | one more thing....
Yes, the AutoPilot is slower to respond but if you train yourself to look ahead of the boat as you operate your trolling motor (and you should unless you like rocks and stumps) you'll anticipate your need to adjust. In my humble opinion, the benefit of the Power Drive head and the AutoPilot feature far outweigh the slower response.
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Posts: 326
Location: Plainfield IL | I think the 65# AP will do just fine. I run a 20' Champ and use that motor and it works great.
Running_Hot!!! |
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Posts: 1916
Location: Greenfield, WI | Make sure that you get enough shaft length on whatever trolling motor that you buy, a minimum of 48".
I have a 50PD Minnkota on a Tuffy Esox Magnum, which has been plenty for all the places that I have choosen to fish.
Good Luck.
Edited by Steve Van Lieshout 2/12/2003 8:28 AM
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | I have a Motorguide cable drive and had the oppertunity to run an AP this year and all I can say is that's the way to go! I'm putting one on my new boat right now. You can concentrate on fishing instead of boat control. It's VERY nice to put the AP on low and have it work you down the weededge. |
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Posts: 364
Location: Kentucky | (re-posting, looks like my reply didn't work)
Thanks for the replies, this helps a lot. Looks like the 65 AutoPilot is the one for me. Cabelas has some combo deals with finders that work with the universal sonar. I'll probably go with an X87 or X97. Can't wait! |
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Posts: 5874
| Sput,
I have the AP65 with Universal Sonar, connected to an X-51. The setup works great! I really like the X-51. It has plenty of power, and 240 pixels of vertical resolution. A very good value. The X-87 should be plenty of power, 320 Pixels, and costs less than the X-97, which only has more power for the extra $$$$.
I have the 54" shaft, and it is adequate in all but the roughest conditions. I have yet to put it all the way down. Don't forget a Ram mount, or similar, to lock down the head while running in the rough stuff. |
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Posts: 1430
Location: Eastern Ontario | Get yourself the 65AP with the new co pilot and forget about the 18' cable. As for sonar get what you can afford, normaly one doesn't need a very powerfull one up front as it it used in water 20' or less. |
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finder & minn kota