I-Pilot on older TM

**tprice** · 03-27-2012, 05:37 AM

Has anyone converted an older MK trolling motor to the I Pilot

Have a saltwater version on my boat and was thinking about the I Pilot and I see you can buy the I Pilot and just replace the head on the TM

How hard is this and does it compromise the waterproof ability of the motor

Few years back I had to have the internal compass replaced in mine and it was done at a local service rep for MK

Also how well does the I-Pilot work (do a lot of trolling live bait for stripers and also long lining for crappie) and was thinking this would be better than anchoring up to fish brush piles

Fish out of a 21'CC so the anchoring takes a little time to get right sometimes

**Rip a Lip** · 03-27-2012, 05:54 AM

If you're trolling you'll love it! The biggest advantage you'll find with ipilot for trolling is cruise control, set your speed, point it where ya wanna go and forget about it. I and most others I think use the normal AP as opposed to the advanced AP. The advanced AP tends to try and make too many course corrections.

With spot lock, its good to hold you in a general location but a good wind will push you all over. To me, it seems a bit slow to react to hold you on an exact spot.

Overall, its one of the best things I've ever added to my boat!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

**Shellback** · 03-27-2012, 08:29 AM

First off, you will need to see if the I-Pilot is compatible with your motor. You mentioned older MK, I think they only work on 2007 and newer motors. Although I've heard folks have changed the control board to make them work or pre 2007 motors. The I-Pilot system goes in the top cap of the motor shaft, so it doesn't affect the water tight integrity of the motor.

**TnT** · 03-27-2012, 09:41 AM

The I-Pilot has some definite advantages to it. The cruise control feature is great, I like the spot lock and tracking a course and having it return to the same trail you just went over is a big plus. I personally do not have a I-Pilot because I cant justify the extra $$ to put it on my newer motor. I can pretty well keep my speed where I want it with my handheld box that replaced my foot pedal and go back over the same course I just went over by following my GPS. My next motor may very well be an I-Pilot but I haven't came to that bridge yet. I have talked to a few people that have it and some love it and some don't...Checking with Minn Kota to see if your motor can be changed over to the I-Pilot would probably be your best bet. If it is, it don't take but about 10 minutes or so to change ot over. Like Sheelback said, it doesn't affect the water tight integrity of the motor....Good Luck!

**jimp** · 03-27-2012, 10:02 AM

for longlining its GREAT, the spot lock does not hold in the 5' radius as advertised. I use spot lock to hold the boat off the bank or in a general location/spot while I re-ty or look for something in the tackle box, etc. I longline 99% of the time.

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