New boat - 3 upgrades needed

First, been reading these forums for months now and appreciate all the information and feedback provided.

The boat: 2011 Tracker Pro Team 190 TX with 90 optimax
Fishing level: novice
Fishing type: Pretty much anything in the freshwater lakes in Central Florida. There are probably 3 dozen decent lakes within a 30 minute drive. Most are very shallow, 10' or less, a couple 15'. I will be attempting trolling cranks this summer and trying spider rigging this fall.

The boat currently has the stock lowrance fishfinder at the helm and an old HB single-beam at the bow. Also has a Minn Kota Maxxum 55# (12v). This past weekend, there was a steady 10mph wind and the TM could barely break 1.5mph into it. Long story short, I would like to do 3 major upgrades, likely in two phases. Priority-wise, the TM is gonna have to be first, cause losing to the wind is making me lose my mind, and there is plenty of it here regularly. From all the forums and articles I've read, it looks like the Terrova 80# (24v) with iPilot is going to be the one, even though I'd love to convince myself to go 55 or even the power drive to save more money for the fishfinders, but doesn't seem like a good idea.

After the TM purchase I'm looking at around a $400-$500 budget for one of my two fish finders. Looking for input in this price range for something that is compatible with the universal sonar 2. I could go with or without chartplotting at the bow. I want to get the HB 598ci SI at the helm, but that will have to wait until the fall. I figure I can use my phone - Galaxy Note 2 (size of some finder units) - to mark hot spots in the meantime.

My summer boat budget is 2200 and I couldnt be happier to have this dilemma :biggrin....thanks for the input!

First off welcome to Crappie.com from MS!!!!!!

You are spot on with the Terrova in a 80pd thrust, you'll never regret it and the 55 would need two batts to pull cranks all day anyway, been there done that!!
Second, watch and find you a used LCX 28cHD (350-500) and hook it to the US2 in the trolling motor, great GPS mapping as well. You will find pulling cranks that you will use your sonar less and less and rely more on your maps and contour lines pulling cranks. Dont give up GPS at either the console or the front, the more you learn the more you will use em.
Good luck, enjoy your time on the water.

First thing you need to do is call Brian at BBG marine. Going to have the best prices and will help you every way he can to get right unit. 80 LB for sure on a 19. I have a 55 on 17.9 and it works great for me but not pulling cranks. Pull with my 4 stroke 50.

By the way, congrats on your boat!! My FJ tourney partner has that exact same boat and it is a fishing machine, havent found a negative about it. I am not a big metal boat fan but that is one a would consider owning.

Will definitely look into that model, thanks. I don't doubt there is an advantage to having mapping on both units. I just figured there are so many new lakes to learn around here, I will likely end up at the helm a while.

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Originally Posted by Rees Guide

By the way, congrats on your boat!! My FJ tourney partner has that exact same boat and it is a fishing machine, havent found a negative about it. I am not a big metal boat fan but that is one a would consider owning.

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Appreciate it! I wouldn't spend new money price on it, but this one had 10 hours on the engine and couldn't beat the savings.

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Originally Posted by cray

First thing you need to do is call Brian at BBG marine. Going to have the best prices and will help you every way he can to get right unit. 80 LB for sure on a 19. I have a 55 on 17.9 and it works great for me but not pulling cranks. Pull with my 4 stroke 50.

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Thanks for the lead, I'll get in touch with him when I'm ready to pull the trigger in 3-4 weeks.

How big of a display do you want for your bow sonar unit?
Color or black and white display?

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Originally Posted by Humminbird_Greg

How big of a display do you want for your bow sonar unit?
Color or black and white display?

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Definitely color, I was thinking 5-7"

I have a 5" HB color gps/2d (can't remember the model #) on the bow of my PT175, might as well plan on raising the HU up 12" or so, I had it mounted to the floor, and it works, but up 12" makes a world of difference. If you go with the Terrova, go ahead and get Ipilot as well, $$ WELL spent for maintaining your speed and making the day fishing MUCH MORE enjoyable and easier on you in terms of controlling the boat. GL on your upgrades.