Trolling motor recommendation

[WoundedOne]

i am looking into purchasing a 2000 Lowe160w and it is needing a new trolling motor. The new technology is a lot different from the old days. Leaning towards a 24 volt system. Looked at the terranova ipilot gps wirelless with foot control option, also the motor guides. Looking for feedback on boat and trolling motor options that you all use like and dislikes.

 

Thanks Michael

[rps]

I have used a Terrova 24v 80lb motor since 2010. I upgraded it to the Ipilot. I used the hand held fob rather than the digital foot control. I loved it. It would be the top end for a Lowe 160W. My new boat will have the self deploy and retrieve (Ulterra).

You would probably be very pleased with a 12v on that size boat as well.

From what people I know and trust say, the comparable Motorguide is an equally good choice. Do you plan to use the universal sonar or strap one on?

 

[J-Doc]

Motor guide spot lock or anchor mode is truely that.....a spot lock.  Terrova....spot-ish....like a 20ft+ circle vs the 5ft circle of the MG.   GPS accuracy and tracking is also not as good as MG but to me, the MK is built with better quality and durability.  The plastic guards/sides on the MG are thinner and the whole thing just did not feel as solid to me. So I chose MK. I didn't like it at first.  Almost hated it.  Starting to really get the nag of it now and learning it's limitations, strengths, etc.  I often use autopilot to keep boat pointed in a certain direction  (I to the wind) vs spot lock because it over corrects itself.  

 

I have a 24v 80lb Fortrex also.  It an awesome trolling motor for bass fishing and all around use.  Very quiet, powerful, etc.  Both are 80lb thrust 24v.They last all day even if trolling continuously.  

 

ThaThat said, get the right size for your boat.  Over correction on a GPS guided rolling motor leads to over correction and you get wondering and larger diameter spots on spot lock mode.  I could have gotten away with 50lb and probably had better performance on spot lock but the trolling motor would have worked much harder creating more noise which defeats the purpose of staying on a spot. 

For bass fishing, the traditional cable steer is super quiet and cannot be beat.  For controlled trolling with live bait or lines behind the boat, digital is the cats meow. You can sit at the console watching the graph and eat a sandwich while controlling the boat when needed.  Or simply eat and let the drive itself.  It's very nice.  Bass fishing, I prefer my Fortrex around docks and cover.  Much quieter.  The servo motor noise on wireless models is kinda noisy.  Sometimes it does not bother the fish, sometimes it does.  And it bothers me so might as well be the fish.  

The MK is really quiet compared to the MG lower end models.  They are very loud. 

 

12v or 24v depends on what you can afford and how much use it in a day.  12v works fine on a small vessel.  Need 24v for a larger vessel.  

[grizwilson]

I have the Terrova and like Jdoc says it has its weaknesses.  Yesterday the remote simply quit, replaced battery still dead.... found out that I am addicted to the anchor feature fishing brush piles so just came home instead of operating by foot. 

g

[J-Doc]

I hate the foot pedal on the Terrova.  I though I would get used to it but I have not. It's a contact button and when you're used to a cable steer, a contact button is terrible.   I keep mine in the boat but I'm to the point now that I will take it out. I can order a recessed pedal cover from Ranger that matches my boat too since I don't use the pedal anymore from my Fortrex.  I have my Fortrex still and can swap them out with a universal quick release mounting bracket.  

[dtrs5kprs]

I'd go cable steer and the biggest you can afford, and will fit (given limited battery space). There are a few things in life you can't have too much of, and TM power is on that list. That boat is going to blow around, a big TM will keep you fishing. 

[J-Doc]

1 hour ago, dtrs5kprs said:

I'd go cable steer and the biggest you can afford, and will fit (given limited battery space). There are a few things in life you can't have too much of, and TM power is on that list. That boat is going to blow around, a big TM will keep you fishing. 

That's what I did when I bought my new boat.  80lb Fortrex. Then I got the 80lb Terrova for multi species applications.  And for spot lock anchoring.   In this case, too much power will over correct and wonder around.  Getting a longer shaft helps because you can raise the head above the mounting bracket.  Ferous metal creates interference with the GPS signal.  So a longer shaft is best for wireless.  I learned this after the fact unfortunately.  

 

Cable steer in as much power as can be afforded is a safe bet for sure.  Just don't do it if you go digital.  

[Ketchup]

1 hour ago, dtrs5kprs said:

I'd go cable steer and the biggest you can afford, and will fit (given limited battery space). There are a few things in life you can't have too much of, and TM power is on that list. That boat is going to blow around, a big TM will keep you fishing. 

What he said.  That boat won't take much to move it, but if you fish a lot of windy days, get the most you can.  

[WoundedOne]

RPS i am planning on using sonar that comes with trolling motor probally wont be for a little while i cannot afford a sonar right now. It has a old Garmin sonar that works which is fine. i will post some pics later.

[WoundedOne]

17 hours ago, J-Doc said:

Motor guide spot lock or anchor mode is truely that.....a spot lock.  Terrova....spot-ish....like a 20ft+ circle vs the 5ft circle of the MG.   GPS accuracy and tracking is also not as good as MG but to me, the MK is built with better quality and durability.  The plastic guards/sides on the MG are thinner and the whole thing just did not feel as solid to me. So I chose MK. I didn't like it at first.  Almost hated it.  Starting to really get the nag of it now and learning it's limitations, strengths, etc.  I often use autopilot to keep boat pointed in a certain direction  (I to the wind) vs spot lock because it over corrects itself.  

 

I have a 24v 80lb Fortrex also.  It an awesome trolling motor for bass fishing and all around use.  Very quiet, powerful, etc.  Both are 80lb thrust 24v.They last all day even if trolling continuously.  

 

ThaThat said, get the right size for your boat.  Over correction on a GPS guided rolling motor leads to over correction and you get wondering and larger diameter spots on spot lock mode.  I could have gotten away with 50lb and probably had better performance on spot lock but the trolling motor would have worked much harder creating more noise which defeats the purpose of staying on a spot. 

For bass fishing, the traditional cable steer is super quiet and cannot be beat.  For controlled trolling with live bait or lines behind the boat, digital is the cats meow. You can sit at the console watching the graph and eat a sandwich while controlling the boat when needed.  Or simply eat and let the drive itself.  It's very nice.  Bass fishing, I prefer my Fortrex around docks and cover.  Much quieter.  The servo motor noise on wireless models is kinda noisy.  Sometimes it does not bother the fish, sometimes it does.  And it bothers me so might as well be the fish.  

The MK is really quiet compared to the MG lower end models.  They are very loud. 

 

12v or 24v depends on what you can afford and how much use it in a day.  12v works fine on a small vessel.  Need 24v for a larger vessel.  

J-Doc i agree on the 50lb thrust would be better for my unit. The problem i see withe cable steer on this boat is there is not much room for the pedal assy now with the current unit and i have long legs. This is one reason why i am interested in the wirless. Not familiar with MK but going to look at it. 12 or 24 volt is still up in the air on what models and options that 12 volt have. Does 12 volt have the same options as the 24 volt wireless