Minn Kota Ulterra trolling motor question

[bobby b.]

I'm wanting to replace my MinnKota Powerdrive troller with the Ulterra because I need the convenience of the automatic deploy/stow as I'm getting too old to deploy the Powerdrive (it was never that easy to deploy anyway).  

There was a thread on this forum awhile back regarding the rubber belts (?) used for the automatic deploy and store and actual or potential problems with the belts and the need to replace them.  I called the Factory folks but of course they said there are not issues.  

So the question is, has anybody had any problems with this or any other unrelated problems with the Ulterra?  

Thanks

Bobby

[IL Fisherman]

 Had mine one season and no major issues.  

[nomolites]

Had mine for several years and zero issues with belt.  I had one problem with a lost alignment magnet( first gen) which was replaced and upgraded at no cost.

Mike

[bobby b.]

thanks for the info

Bobby

[Mike fish]

My Ulterra is a 2015 which was on the boat when I bought it. 1 month later the belt broke. No problem I bought a belt and replaced it. But after I changed the belt the red light would not come on when power on. I got with Minn Kota and they said it was the trim assembly so I had one sent to me . I got it changed it out and it’s still won’t come on. Has anyone had this problem??

[bobby b.]

3 hours ago, Mike fish said:

My Ulterra is a 2015 which was on the boat when I bought it. 1 month later the belt broke. No problem I bought a belt and replaced it. But after I changed the belt the red light would not come on when power on. I got with Minn Kota and they said it was the trim assembly so I had one sent to me . I got it changed it out and it’s still won’t come on. Has anyone had this problem??

Can't help with this.  I did get one with the I-pilot link tied to both Humminbird Helix locator.  It works great - love the auto deploy and the spot lock - just recently have been using the following the contour line feature.

Mike, hope you can figure it out - there is a very good authorized repair dealer in Springfield - 417-833-9191  

[Bill Babler]

There has been quite a few problems with the Ulterra Self Deploy lots of guides have tried it on Taney, and I have had tons of customers with it.  Most all now are using the Ultrex 

The Ultrex has a power assisted recovery and deploy that is super easy to raise and lower and according to the new brochure I got last week from MinnKota it has been completely "Reinvented for 2019"

I thought it was already durn good, but for 2019 it is said to have a faster better holding GPS response and a much better lock with out continually coming on and searching.  Another of the complaints is faster response to the hard drive foot control for dock fishing and they claim for 2019 it was totally redesigned and the response is much quicker.

Kind of a funny note on the Ulterra if it has not happened to you is you need to be really careful where you put rods.  It can flip them out and it can also crush them.  Keeping your junk away from the mechanism is important.

If your not willing to part with $2,700 to $2,900 you can use the Motor Guide Xi5  for $1,500 with still the best GPS lock, but a much slower wireless response from the foot control.

There is also new word from Garman that it is coming out with a system that is going to completely revolutionize the entire market from deployment to GPS tracking and response  to your electronics.  From what I'm hearing also is that a new player is also coming out with an electric motor system.  I don't know who yet, but the pro's are whispering about it.

If you can hang on for a year there is no telling what is going to be out there.