Shopping for new Trolling Motor
 

I am in the market for a new trolling motor, it will be a Minn Kota but not sure of model.

Any thoughts, good used motors for sale?

It will be on a bluewave classic that is fished from Toledo to the jetties.

Thanks in advance


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iPilot

I run a 112# iPilot on my 22' Bluewave. Love it. All depends on your budget and time line. You may be waiting a while looking for a deal on a good used one

X2 ipilot

I have never run an iPilot ......do I control it off a remote or foot pedal?


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It has a remote, but you can buy a foot pedal for it

My Ipilot has made my fishing life so much easier in high wind and current situations

X3

I was looking at the 52 inch Riptide SF with lift assist 80 lb, but the iPilot does look appealing.

How long did it take to get use to the remote?

about 1 trip for me. I clip it on my belt loop of my non fishing hand and can make adjustments easily

X4,
I got mine two years ago and love it. set the cruise control or anchor on it and all you have to worry about is fishing. I have the 24V and can run anchor or run medium speeds all day without worrying about the batteries going dead. My boat is 20' and would suggest the 36V System for 22' and larger.

Ipilot! Get bigger than you think you need.

I have the 36v ipilot. I love it when it works. I've had problems with the mount-release mechanism, and incessant battery issues. But i fish a lot. Great tool for the water. I like the autopilot creature. You set a speed and direction, and it does the rest, no matter what the wind or tide is doing. Its hands free at that point. On calm days offshore, we spot lock on rig legs. Very nice to not have to anchor or rig hook.

Only complaint I have about my ipilot is that it is sorta awkward to deploy and pick it up. I have to push in on the handle and then down and at the same time, you have to hold the shaft or head to deploy or pick up. I heard MK is coming out with a self-deploying/picking up model. Now THAT would be cool, but prob more stuff to break.

Don't get me wrong, I would buy another one in a minute, the best features about it far outweigh that slight disadvantage.

Anchor...meaning if keeps you at a certain spot and makes adjustments on its own?? That is insane. I guess I never realized it did that.

Yep. That's one of the main reasons I bought one

I use my foot to press that release button.

I guess I'm the only odd-ball with a motorguide. I replaced my riptide 101 with a Motorguide xi5 GPS SW. Basically the same thing as an ipilot but motorguide's version. The anchor setting is the ticket and I don't think I can go back now that I've used it. The only reason I went with motorguide over Minn Kota is I'm able to hardwire the motorguide directly to my lowrance unit with the Pinpoint kit....and I got the $250 Pinpoint kit for free. I've also heard that the ipilot will kick on full throttle if it gets out of position with the anchor setting where the xi5 is supposedly supplies smooth power to reposition the boat if needed....I've never fished with the ipilot but that's from reports I've read online. So far I'm pleased with the xi5....my only complaints are I wish it had an LED remote to show power like the ipilot. If you're looking for a good used trolling motor u might want to contact Superior Trolling motors in Lafayette. I went there to get a mounting kit for my xi5 and they had a wall of used trolling motors....most looked to be in mint condition too.

Ive heard good things about the xi5 too. I dont find the ipilot will kick into full throttle on anchor.

I came really close to buying an ipilot. I'm sure I would not have been disappointed with one. The anchor settings and track recording is worth the price alone. The new Ulterra with autodeploy looks sweet but too much coin for me to justify spending.

Meaux, I tried that a few times, but don't you have to still push in on the handle and then down? I find that difficult to do, especially when the boat is bouncing, but maybe it's because I lack the proper coordination? Or do you just press down? What is your secret Meaux??

Definitely push in a lil. Im not sure of my technique... maybe I just have good balance lol

Yep slight push in then down

Yep, you obviously have more balance than I do. I find myself getting down on my knees in rough water to stow it. Wonder if I couldn't attach a little bracket on the release handle that would provide a "stop" for my foot making it easier to push it in. then pushing it down is the easy part.

or:
http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Who-We...ery---Ulterra/

Gotta push in then down

ipilot for me
 

For the type of fishing i do the ipilot is the ticket. anchor mode works great when I am fishing shell pads offshore and the fish are moving from one corner to another. Setup a drift and when I get a bite I can quickly hit anchor and hold position. Use it fishing offshore to hold off structure as well.

Early in year when beating banks for reds I will store a track and replay the track multiple times when fish are concentrated on the same bank.

I love my 112 riptide with ipilot, takes a lil bit of getting use to, only bc i was so use to using a hand control, but once younget the hang of it, its awesome. Will never go back to a hand controlled unit

spoke to MK tech support today to ask them if they knew of a "fix" and I was told that the "push in/push down" is a safety feature to prevent accidental deployment. It's pretty obvious that I am the problem and I just need to perfect my methods. I'm guessing that to deploy, if I would use my right foot to catch the indentation and push in, then press down immediately, and use my left hand to grab the shaft or head, it would deploy fine. To stow, I should probably use my left foot to push in, then down and use my right hand raise the shaft and stow it. BTW, I was also told that the Ulterra is only available for freshwater at this time, but they expect to soon have a saltwater version.

Damn, I sound like an engineer.

I'm on the right foot left hand program all the time