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| Hey guys,
I am in the heat right now on selecting a new trolling motor. Now I know when I go to Cabelas they tell me all and want to sell me the "best of the best" BUT what do you guys reccomend?
I have a Lund 1600 Pro deep V aluminum and last year I was using a Minkota PD50. That worked....it was a 12V system but I was thinking of going up in size to a 24V system and something a little stronger. Maybe a 55-70 thrust.
My questions are; should I stay at 12 volts or go to 24? Stay at the 50 thrust range or go up? And what on-board charger system should I go with to charge the batteries?
Thank you so much for helping out!
Adam |
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Posts: 134
Location: Central Wi | Adam I would go with as much poundage as you can afford. In your case I would probably get 80 Terrova or something similar. Terrova is just all around better unit than the powerdrives. 24 volt system is really the way to go...
For chargers, I have used both Minn Kota Chargers and Pro Charging Systems (Lund puts these in there boats). Both are good units and have not had any problems with either. Make sure you get AT LEAST 10amps per channel for charging seems to make a huge difference.
I would also look around on the web before spending money at some of the big box stores. I have nothing against them but just like to save money... I just got a Terrova 101 and saved about $250 but buying online. Thats a hand full of musky baits in my book. Just make sure you do your research on the site and read a few reviews.
Just my 2 cents... |
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Posts: 68
| 80# terrova with upgraded ipilot! I have a quick release mount and it goes between my 16' vhull and 21' searay. Went to 24v and never looked back. It moves the big heavy searay along without any hesitation. I use the controller to set my course and fine tune my trolling. Spot lock is ok, a little overrated if you ask me. If it used variable speeds to stay on your spot I would gladly pay triple but as is it's just not worth using for anything other than keeping the boat from running onto the rocks in wind or current while you land a fish or do something that requires your full attention. If I was not getting the ipilot then I would probably go with a cable steer troller. But I wouldn't buy anything but minnkota. I have pity my troller through the hell of 3 years of bowfishing abuse in rocky weedy and just plain nasty stuff. I hit a rick at full speed, about 3mph and ripped of the entire front of my boat, just a few nicks in the prop. |
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Posts: 181
Location: St.John, Indiana | Another vote for the Terrova 80. Upgrade to a 24v system and don't look back .You will be happier with the added power . |
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Posts: 68
| Ditto on the minnkota charger as well. I have the MK 330D, http://store.minnkotamotors.com/products/481983/MK_330D_%283_bank%2... I think I paid $300 at bps. It is mounted to the side of my 16' vhull with just a small wooden shelf over the top to protect it and double as a shelf. There have been multiple times when I forgot to pull the plug and the boat filled with water. Each time the charger was submerged atleast halfway for no less than a few days on each occasion. Let the boat dry out and plugged the unit in, absolutely no problems. The charger has been used and abused for two seasons without a hiccup.
Another plus is I have really noticed a difference in my batteries. Back when I was using standard electric chargers I would only get a season of use out of the batteries. I bowfish hard atleast 2-3 times a week from march to the week before waterfowl season. I run my troller just short of max all night long. After a season of cycling the batteries (charging and discharging) there would be a noticable decrease in battery life. Since I started using the minnkota I have been on the same 6 batteries that I bought with the charger. Yes I did say 6. Running my 80# terrova at high speed usually eats up 4-6 batteries in a 8-10hr night and especially with another 1500+ pounds of dead fish. I can usually get two days on two batteries while musky/walleye fishing. I have turned atleast a half dozen members in my club to switch to minnkota chargers and they will never use anything else |
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Posts: 68
| And I apologize for the bad spelling in my first post under "Guest". I was using my phone and it loves to change words on me |
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| I was fishing yesterday in my 16 ft. Lund and its not as heavy as your pro V. The winds were blowing between 25 - 35 mph and I have only the 12V. The 12V simply did not have enough power. Definitely go with the 24V.
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Posts: 131
| minnkota terrova 80 us2 with i-pilot.it's like having somebody running the boay for you! |
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| Thanks guys for all the advice! I will be getting the 24 volt Terrova. |
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