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Posts: 2
| For the past 4 years I have fished out of a 17 ft bass boat w/ a 65 lb Minn Kota Maxxum trolling motor. After 4 years - the trolling motor was more of an extension of my leg than anything. Just this past month I purchased a newer Crestliner 1850 which has a 70 lb Minn Kota PDV2. I only had one chance to use it prior to ice up and I could not stand the electric trolling motor - no feel. A local sportshop is having a huge sale on trolling motors and I was set on trading it in and footing the bill for a Minn Kota Fortex 80lb cable drive - when I spoke w/ a friend who said the Ipilot revolutionized his fishing. I researched and learned the PDV2 w/ the Ipilot attached no longer allows the foot pedal to be used! No foot petal just seems like a hassle to me! I know the Terrova can use both foot pedal and Ipilot - but $ is a factor. Do I pay for the new Ipilot on my PDV2 ($445) or go to the Fortex ($800 + current motor)? Will I get use to the electric trolling motor and/or no foot pedal. Just want opinions - I know it's a matter of personal choice. |
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Posts: 559
| terrova!! it turns very fast with foot or remote/hand control |
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| I have an 1850 fishhawk. I had a maxum 80lb thrust and went to the Terrova and added ipilot when they came out. I miss the maxum cable drive in the wind and running tight structure. The terrova is quite a bit faster than the pad drive. What I like about the Terrova over the maxum is being able to fish a little more relaxed on long stretches. In terms of ipilot, that also depends on how you fish. I love my ipilot for walleye fishing, fishing from the back of the boat w guests up front, sucker dragging, and the spot lock in big waves. I do not use the memory feature as much as I thought but do use it occasionally. So in my opinion. On a very windy day with a lot of structure to run such as rock reefs, I would prefer the cable drive. For everything else the Terrova with ipilot hands down. |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | 80 lb Terrova, I don't mess with Ipilot, AP, etc...Get a 60 inch shaft 80 lb Terrova and you'll be happy. |
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Posts: 23
| If $$$$ is an issue like you are saying then buy the I Pilot...once you use it you will NO LONGER worry about a foot pedal. The thing is SCARY good & not a hassle at all to use. |
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| I have run the iPilot for 2 seasons so here is my $.02.
It is a great motor and very versatile for all types of fishing that I have tried.
HOWEVER... If you are primarily working spots with casting presentations, a la Bass and Musky, then you might find the remote more of a hassle than anything else. I've had to ween myself off it when fishing musky because if I'm using the remote then I'm not casting. Sounds overly simple, but it can mean the difference between getting the premium cast and missing it because you looked down to change direction or adjust your speed, something that doesn't happen with a foot pedal. This isn't a complaint per se, I like my motor quite a bit, but if all you do is cast, then you might find the remote spending a lot of time in a storage compartment.
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Posts: 233
Location: Iowa | I have a terrova with i pilot. I do like the ipilot but I really under utilize it. The only time I have used the remote so far is for walleye fishing. I haven't used it yet for musky fishing. I have no experience with a cable drive but probably would stay away from a v2 with Ipilot for sure. I wouldn't be able to musky fish without a foot pedal.
If I were you, I would sell the v2 and get a terrova or fortrex.
Jeremy
Edited by jwelch 1/7/2012 12:44 AM
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | Only you know what's right for you. I used powerdeives for years and did have some issues. Now that I have a maxxum 101 w/ a pedal recess I will never go back to electric steering. Cable is so much quicker and easier...you know where it's turned by feel...no need to ever look at the trolling motor. |
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Posts: 79
| I run the Terrovas on my boats. But if I could find a way to add the maxxum to a terrova quick disconnect bracket so I could switch back and forth from Terrova to Maxxum depending on the conditions.........Now that would be the ultimate ticket. |
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Posts: 906
Location: Warroad, Mn | A little depends on where you fish. If you fish Canadian shield lakes with many abrupt and unforgiving changes in depth than the Fortrex or Maxxum is the way to go. If your fishing long weed lines on shore lines that don't vary much in depth than a Terrova is the way to go.
There's lots of advantages to a Maxxum type trolling motor on lakes like the LOTWs.
Doug Johnson
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Posts: 1184
Location: Iowa Great Lakes | I love the Terrova and I Pilot, once a fish is hooked hit the anchor lock and worry about the fish not boat position, handy when it's breezy and in places where rocks might destroy your boat...Also effective to anchor and cast a spot...I use the pedal 90% of the time but always have my remote cliped on me for subtle speed adjustments...Also love the I Pilot for when you need a snack or to retie, just go do it and let the motor do the work, still have the remote for any adjustments needed...Things you just cant do when your stuck to the bow like cable drives make you do.... Sometimes for something different I fish off the back and give my partner fist chance yet can still control the boat.... |
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