Minn kota pd v2 foot pedal controller question

[Stickburner]

I purchased a Power Drive V2 last spring. I have used cable operated foot controls for thirty years but cannot get used to the foot pedal control used on the PD V2.

Will the Terrova foot pedal work with my PD V2 trolling motor?

[gabowman]

Welcome to the boards stickburner. I'm not sure but somebody will answer your question. If not give MK a call. I have the V2 but have I-pilot so didnt get the foot controller. I would think when using an electric drive you would always have to be looking at the tm to make sure of your heading...Unlike the cable steer where you could "feel" how much of a turn youre making.

[wannabe fisherman]

NO it's a case of cable steering and electric steering. They are nothing alike

[Stickburner]

I bought a Mercury Thruster trolling motor in 1978 and used it hard until I broke a part of the mount on it last March. I was so used to it I could maneuver my boat with it without even thinking about what I was doing. When I was unable to find a replacement for the part I broke, I bought the Power Drive V2 because it has variable speed.

I fish in lakes and rivers and the PD's foot control aggrivates the h--l out of me when working against the current in the river or against the wind when fishing docks or blowdowns at the lake. I can operate the trolling motor or I can fish but its too frustrating for me trying to do both at the same time with the PD's foot control.

The Terrova's foot control appears to steer similar to my old Thruster by pressing down on the toe or heel. I could probably get used to the electric controls if I didn't have to continually move my foot from side to side on the control panel and watch the head of the motor to keep the boat under control.

I'm almost aggrivated to the point of getting rid of the PD and replacing it with one that is more like what I'm used to, but I am not willing to give up the variable speed control.

It isn't "a case of cable steering versus electric steering." for me. If the only thing I used the PD for was trolling it wouldn't be a problem.

Richard

[Cray]

Get on of the Minkota cable steers with variable speeds Foretrex or maxxum

[filletfetish]

It does take some getting used to. If I'm vertical jiggin or trolling, I'll use both feet to control it. I wouldn't trade the fact that I don't lose control if I have it on continuous drive and take my foot of the pedel.

[Stickburner]

Thanks for input. I'm still leaning toward replacing the PD V2 with something that will better suit me.

I didn't mention it originally, but I installed my trolling motor transducer on the PD according to the suggestions posted on this site before using the DP the first time. When I got to the lake I discovered the transducer cable was cut completely through. The cable appeared to have fallen into the mounting bracket and was possibly pinched in two. That added to my dissatisfaction with the design of the PD. In my opinion, Minn Kota's designers should have anticipated somebody would want to mount a transducer on the trolling motor and could have used the same type shaft as on the Terrova that would protect the cable and could have designed stops to prevent the motor from turning more than 360 degrees and twisting up the transducer cable.

The bottom line is I created my own problem, if I had not been in such a hurry to go fishing and had done more research, I would have chosen a trolling motor that better suited my needs.

[Corker]

if I had not been in such a hurry to go fishing and had done more research, I would have chosen a trolling motor that better suited my needs.

This is excellent advice for anyone who's in the market for a TM.

As much as the manufacturers try to promote their top-of-the-line motor as the be-all and end-all, it's not that simple. There's a very wide selection of products and they all have their advantages--depending on your style of fishing. Terrova + iPilot is a perfect fit for me, but dock shooters and veteran BP jiggers often prefer traditional cable-steer units. The best advice I can offer is to rely on the opinions of the guys whose boats and fishing style are the closest match to yours. They know what works best.

[Stickburner]

I agree. I bought a PD on the recommendation of a salesperson at the local boat dealership and the only other trolling motor they had in stock did not have variable speed control.

The nearest store I am aware of that has a good selection of Minn Kotas is the Bass Pro Shop in Macon, which is about 75 miles away. I created my own problem and could have avoided it if I had gone to Bass Pro to buy the trolling motor.

The PD operates as it was designed to. It just isn't what I thought I was getting and I'm too d**n old to put up with being aggrivated when I can do something about it.

I have a friend that thinks he wants a PD V2. We're trying to schedule a fishing trip together so that he can "test drive" it before buying it.

I only hope this string will help prevent making the same mistake I made.

[Cane Pole]

I agree. I bought a PD on the recommendation of a salesperson at the local boat dealership and the only other trolling motor they had in stock did not have variable speed control.

The nearest store I am aware of that has a good selection of Minn Kotas is the Bass Pro Shop in Macon, which is about 75 miles away. I created my own problem and could have avoided it if I had gone to Bass Pro to buy the trolling motor.

The PD operates as it was designed to. It just isn't what I thought I was getting and I'm too d**n old to put up with being aggrivated when I can do something about it.

I have a friend that thinks he wants a PD V2. We're trying to schedule a fishing trip together so that he can "test drive" it before buying it.

I only hope this string will help prevent making the same mistake I made.

What's the main problem using it? Left turn, right turn or the on button in the middle of the turn positions? I had trouble with the center on button so I made an external button using big foot switch. Works fine. I uses one foot to steer and other foot to turn off and on the motor.