PowerDrive V2 70/i-Pilot

[DoubleGobble00]

I am thinking about upgrading my trolling motor to one of these PowerDrive V2 70/i-Pilot. Anybody else use this motor? Should I save an extra $400 for the Terrova with I-Pilot?

I currently have a 55lb Maxxum foot control on my boat. With the motor down, it will push my 1860 G3 about 1.8 mph on the highest setting. If the wind picks up I can barely stay at 1.6 mph. So I am thinking the 24 volt 70 lb thrust would help give me a little more pull.. That is, if I can find a place to put the extra 12 volt battery... I don't have alot of room in the back of the boat..

Questions... Should the 70 lb thrust be enough to get the boat up to speed? Any ideas on where to put the extra battery in a 1860 G3?

Is the terrova worth the extra $400?

Thanks,

DoubleG

["G"]

Wannabe will be here shortly with some good info. I fished with Scottv last week....he has a Powerdrive V2 with copilot, 24 v. 70 lb. thrust. It did a great job....I think I did hear him say that he would like to put I-pilot on it. He has a Stratos...glass boat a big one ond we trolled at 1.8 no problem.

[Wannabe...]

Built a platform between the transom braces, moved the crank battery to the platform and use the space left over for the extra battery. Worked in my 1756. I'll find some pics for ya.

Nothing wrong with the V2, just the steering is not quite as fine, the motor foot is slightly smaller and lighter duty - slightly I said and when using the Ipilot, the foot control will not work. My foot pedal is in my storage box as a backup in case I get ignernt and leave my remote on shore or the batteries fail.

You'll obtain about 2.5 mph top end and will have to run the motor at about 60% to 70% to hit your 1.8 (WAG here). You'll have no trouble with speed, but you will have trouble with longevity. If your 1860 is like my 1756 in the back, you'll have to shoe horn group 29s in there after relocating the crank battery. Group 29s with your boat and assuming a 90HP motor on the back and you're probably looking at 4.5 hours of pulling at that speed on a given day...maybe a little more if you're careful and use the wind.

Wannabe...

[Wannabe...]

Pics

[Wannabe...]

And the Ipilot is worth it. With the autopilot, you still have to keep an eye on the horizon....fine if you've got somebody to handle the rods/fish. If you're alone, or have kids, you'll want the Ipilot with advanced autopilot so you can ignore the horizon and deal with the boat/rods/fish etc.

Wannabe...

[DoubleGobble00]

Thanks for the info G3 and Wannabe... The back of your old 1756 looks exactly like my boat. That gives me some good ideas. I believe i can rig something up for the batteries to sit on there. Thanks for the pictures.

So basically the only difference is the Terrova has a smoother transition and you can use the foot pedal simultaneously... Does the locking and deploy mechanism of the PowerDrive work good? Will it hold up to the pounding a take from the Rez wind? It can get pretty violent in that aluminum boat on the rez... I am sure yall know...

At first look, I thought the 55 thrust and 12 volt would be enough but I don't think I will get me to the speed I want with wind.. I think the 70 thrust and 24 volt is a must now.. It should last longer also.. at least a little bit I would think..

Wannabe... Why did you move the cranking battery to the middle? Was it lighter than the trolling battery?

Does the PowerDrive with the I-Pilot already installed come with a foot pedal? I don't think it does but they don't seem to be too expensive to add on.

DoubleG

[Wannabe...]

Locking mechanism on the V2 was much improved from V1...Had a V1 on the G3 for a bit and never had trouble with it, just had to be ding dang sure it locked. Might be an issue if you can't get up and down on the boat with ease. I figure the V2 is better than that, but never looked at one up close. So, yeah, that's basically the only difference...and the Terrova is 4" motor, think the V2 is either 3 or 3.5" - can't remember.

I think the 55 on your boat, would take you to the speed, but you're gonna have to run it at so high of a speed, you probably would lose the benefit of the maximizer. You're better off with the 70.

My crank was a group 24, so smaller case and easier fit. Couldn't put a 27 in between the braces without worrying about it rubbing the tank. Yours might be a tad larger with it being an 1860. Believe me, ever tad back there on the G3 design counts. I had to remove the stewpit bilge plumbing elbow to get my 29 on the port side. Plus, with 2 evenly sized batteries port and starboard, I figured it'd balance better. Not much difference in a 24 and 29, but some.

Don't think the Ipilot pre-installed V2 comes with a pedal, but very well could be wrong. I'd give MK a call. They're actually pretty helpful and responsive.

Wannabe...

[Wannabe...]

Oh, one other thing, I had to turn and reinstall the battery tray on the port side longitudinally (That means long ways DD) to get that 29 in there. One pic above shows it perpendicular (that means left and right DD) before I turned it.

Wannabe...

[DoubleGobble00]

Thanks again for the help... Once I get some $$$ tucked away I will be upgrading. Ready to put the I-Pilot to use so I can relax and fish... Might be able to man more rods with it also.. We will see...

You know... You still ALOT of poo... but you are pretty helpful sometimes!!!!! LOL..

Where did you get that plastic battery holder for the battery to sit in to hold it steady? If it is strong enough, i might take some aluminum flat bar and rivet it in place then put the plastic holder on top of the aluminum. That way I don't have to worry about wood rotting...

DoubleG

["G"]

You can get a plastic marine battery tray and tie down strap at most any auto parts store.