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Posts: 90
Location: Athens, Ohio | As part of my research in looking at a new boat, I'm trying to learn more about trolling motors. I've heard many times to get the biggest you can, so I'm leaning toward a 100lb thrust model. Beyond the size are there any features that are really worth paying for.
A dealer recommended the Minn Kota I-pilot. Seems pretty high tech, is this kind of added expense really needed?
Do most motors of this size have a built in transducer?
Anything I should know about the trolling motor mounts or ease of deployment and vice versa? |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | Just like I said in your Verado thread, get the most you can afford and that will fit. If you're getting the 621, get a 36v 100 lb motor.
As for iPilot/AutoPilot/CoPilot, I have CoPilot which is just a remote for my Terrova. It works for me. I don't have any of the GPS or cool features of iPilot. (You may be able to still buy AutoPilot, but I think iPilot is killing it in the market.) I know alot of guys who have iPilot and they seem to like it. I opted against it this year for several reasons for me, but this is about you. Look at those features and I bet you opt for it. And again, let's be honest...if you're buying a 621, you can afford the iPilot.
Built in sonar, known as US2...no, they don't all have that. It's not a "true" as the factory ducer, but it works...though I trust my Lowrance stern ducer when I need it to count.
Deploy methods....basically we're looking at either cable drive like on a Maxxim or Fortrex, or a Terrova or Power Drive for electric motor drive. Most bass guys prefer cable drive for it's quicker response. But many muskie and walleye guys prefer the Terrovas. You can't get iPilot on the cable drives. It's going to be up to you. |
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Posts: 17
| Just saw there is quite a few new trolling motors on ebay under ranger boats good chance to save you some $ Just thought you might know. |
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Location: Not far enough north! | Motor Guide Tour series are rock solid! I have gone back to the simplicity of the cable steer because of electronic problems on some of the "fancier" models. But those problems were years ago and I'm sure many of the bugs have been worked out since then. I have just had such good luck with the tour series its hard to go back... when these have been flawless for me. |
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Posts: 175
| Me too. The cable always works, never lets me down. I don't like the built-in transducer. I was told by my rigging guy that the factory 'ducer works way better. Simple is best in my view, less to break. |
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Posts: 880
Location: New Berlin,Wisconsin,53151 | Get the longest shaft you can afford, you'll need it when fishing in rough water. I've would like to have had GPS/Ipilot, I've seen it in use and again buy the most you can afford. You will not regret it....
Netman |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | my motorguide tour series broke the directional arrow and then in rough water while it was tied-town got rocking so much that it twisted the shaft and almost came off of the boat. if you get one, the head is so long and the reinforcing strap is too close to the top that you really should install a secondary ram mount near the head (stowed position) if you intend to fish in the rough stuff.
otherwise, i love the unit ...
learning that when used in the elements ... everything can break. |
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