Thread: Motorguide Xi5 or Min Kota I pilot

I had the 55# now I have the 80# and I love it

The Minnkota I pilot does rev up too high on spot lock to suit me. If you fish small brushpiles and such in shallow water it washes the fish off your spot. I think they would be good for deep water and trolling, just not my type of fishing.

So how often is an 80 lbs of thrust power utilized over 55. Everyone talks about how much better the 24v 80s are. Just need to know if I should rework my battery department and add another for the 80. And I have 8 gauge wire which some say they have used but other recommendations say 4 gauge. ( too the battery)

The 24v TM's run much longer than the 12's on a per charge basis. I very seldom run my 80lb Terrova faster than 21/2 when spider rigging (depending on the wind), but I run it 1.5-2mph when pulling cranks. Gotta have a 24v for that. Good batteries are a must also.

That being said, if it ain't broke, Don't fix it!!!!!

If I was setting up a new one it be 24v. Pulling cranks will kill a 12v battery. If you are just fish and light trolling 12v will do good. I have seen a skier behind Nimrod 24v

I gave a pretty detailed review of my 55lb Xi5 on the Xi5 Motorguide thread. It doesn't seem to have the issues the I pilot does after my first use. I feel as though the 55lb motor is the right size for my boat... 17.5 foot aluminum bass boat. I don't pull crankbaits though, If I did I would go with the bigger 80lb. But the 55lb held spot on and was very easy at correcting its self. It seems to power up on low to correct then speed up as necessary instead of powering up on high to correct on anchor mode. This was after one use in 15mph winds. Can't say about any other conditions, such as no wind. Anything over 20mph may be a problem with 55lb it seemed as I was blown back about a boats length when some very strong gusts came up, but it creeped up back into position without the motor kicking into high.

I have the 55 terrova,
The only problem I see is that later in the day, if the motor goes to high, it will lost GPS lock.
This happens if the voltage at the motor falls below 11.5 volts.
I moved my battery to front and that helped.

I have a 17 foot V bottom and there are times in the wind I thing the 80 would help
From reading, the 24 volt system does not have the GPS unlock problem or maybe I should add another batt.

Originally Posted by WE16

I have the 55 terrova,
The only problem I see is that later in the day, if the motor goes to high, it will lost GPS lock.
This happens if the voltage at the motor falls below 11.5 volts.
I moved my battery to front and that helped.

I have a 17 foot V bottom and there are times in the wind I thing the 80 would help
From reading, the 24 volt system does not have the GPS unlock problem or maybe I should add another batt.

I run 2 batteries on my 55. I have only had that problem 1 time and that was after pulling cranks for about 4. Hr's. Normally I run my 4 stroke and just use the troller to steer with. I have run a friends boat that is reall close to mine, with a 24. What I found was I can run mine slower with the 55 than the 70 set on slowest speed. Big plus to me when spider rigging. Which I do most of the time.