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.

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Originally Posted by Tundah

Definitely color, I was thinking 5-7"

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Look at the following 5-inch color display units. I don’t know that you will find a new 7-inch color display unit in that price range or not. If you plan to later on connect your bow and helm mounted units together you will need to look at the 700 series units (the 798ci HD Si instead of the 598ci HD Si you mentioned) as the 500 series units cannot be Ethernet connected.

778c HD
597ci HD Combo (sonar + GPS)
596c HD

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Originally Posted by Humminbird_Greg

Look at the following 5-inch color display units. I don’t know that you will find a new 7-inch color display unit in that price range or not. If you plan to later on connect your bow and helm mounted units together you will need to look at the 700 series units (the 798ci HD Si instead of the 598ci HD Si you mentioned) as the 500 series units cannot be Ethernet connected.

778c HD
597ci HD Combo (sonar + GPS)
596c HD

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Appreciate the info on the networking functionality info. Would that primary use be for sharing waypoints between the two units? Are there other disadvantages besides that in foregoing networking? I do like the looks of the 597ci HD and would still consider the 598 this fall.

That would depend on the type of network you set up Tundah (InterLink versus Ethernet). You could share waypoints with either but the Ethernet networking offers more sharing capabilities (waypoints, sonar, water temperature sensors, GPS) and is a more stable platform. You can always share waypoints between units by using an SD card and HumminbirdPC (the 596c HD would require the purchase of a PC Connect kit as it has no SD card reader).

Thanks for the info Greg. Definitely have some considerations to contemplate, but I at least have a strong starting point with the trolling motor. Will re-evaluate after that purchase and the remaining budget. If only I didn't have to re-sod the yard this summer...

I bought a 80lb Terrova with I Pilot for my 18 tracker and love it. Also a 898 with a navionics chip. I use the map and gps ALL the time, especially pulling cranks and spider rigging. Get biggest screen you can afford. Brian at BBG has excellent service and prices.

Forget the yard upgrade the boat the yard will be there when you get around to it. :fish

Congrats on the new boat. I have a 2002 Tracker PT 185 with a 75 horsepower. Tracker seriously under powers their TM's that they sell for their boats. I'm sure they do that to keep the price low. I upgraded mine to a 80lb 24V MinKota Maxxum a couple years ago and it is a great motor. I suggest that as an improvement for sure. I bought mine on bargain cave at Cabelas and it was pretty economical. I also upgraded the electronics over the years. I ordered my TM with Universal Sonar and have an Older Humminbird hooked up to it. Just last month I upgraded my Transom mount sonar to a Lowrance Elite 5 DSI. I've had it out once and didn't see much, but it seemed to be working well. I also got that at the Bargain Cave. I've really enjoyed my Tracker over the years. You should love yours. You've got a much nicer motor than the old EFI's they used to put on the boats.

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Originally Posted by BoarBuster

Forget the yard upgrade the boat the yard will be there when you get around to it. :fish

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I'm with ya, unfortunately my HOA isn't

Seed it straw it then haul it to the lake.

I have the 597 di at the bow and 598 si/di at the helm.....works great!

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Originally Posted by hookum

I have the 597 di at the bow and 598 si/di at the helm.....works great!

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That might be the direction I go, 2 more weeks to decide

Getting ready to purchase the Terrova. I've already shuffled my battery arrangement to fit a second battery for the 24v TM. When I bought the boat, it had an onboard charger.
Attachment 129437

It's 8amp, and behind the blocked view in the picture, it says 4/4. Couldn't find the model number without detaching it to look up the manual. Question is, right now there are two sets of black/red combos. 1 going to the 12v tm battery and the other going to the cranking battery. When I wire up the second tm battery and set it for 24v, can I simply relocated the charger cables from the cranking battery to the second tm or is this gonna melt my face off.

Thanks!

Red and black to each battery. It will not recognize it as 24 it just sees 2 separate betteries. If need be just get portable charger for cranking battery.. Unless completely run down and your going to use again early next day the 4 should keep them charged ok.

Thats what I was looking for, thanks.

Well, I waited a little longer to save a few more bucks and pulled the trigger today.
Attachment 131053Attachment 131054

I was torn between the 898 and the HDS 7 bundle. As a casual weekend angler, both will perform beyond adequately for me. I understand that 98% of the units that come out from both companies are fully functional, but if for whatever reason I ended up in that 2% category, Humminbird CS seemed the no brainer choice. Weather is supposed to be stormy this weekend so ideal time for the installations and tinkering. I am considering the Lowrance elite series for the bow sometime this fall, but am not in a rush.

The upcoming purchases next month will include some Cumberland gear for drill-free dual seats w/umbrella up front and rod holders. Will have some time to continue crank pulling practice but am really looking forward to some spider rigging this fall.

Thanks for all the input on these purchases folks.

Pix pix pix ...

We wanna see pix of the install progress ...

Rickie

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Originally Posted by Tundah

I am considering the Lowrance elite series for the bow sometime this fall, but am not in a rush.

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Once you have decided on a brand, it would be better to stick with it for your bow unit.......you can connect via ethernet, mark waypoints while scanning with the console unit and then move to the bow and see and return to the waypoints that you marked......just something to consider.

The installation went smoother than expected. I plan to move the gps receiver to the back on a short pole later. As far as the transducer, I searched for as many posts as I could find and seems a couple guys mounted it there and said it maintains readings up to the high 30s mph which will be fine by me. About to start the Terrova install and maybe a test drive later today or tomorrow evening.
Attachment 131186Attachment 131187Attachment 131188

Terrova install went even smoother than the 'bird. Gonna have to clean up the old mount holes, am thinking of putting some more non-skid pads all around the trolling motor. Probably could of got away with the 45" shaft, but decided it would be better to have more for those choppy days. 60" is a bit beastly but I think it will be fine. The tracker rides bow high, plus will be adding that extra battery to the back....OH WAIT, ran outta cash before I could get the batteries!!! :Rofl
Attachment 131206

The install is looking great...

:ThumbsUpri

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Originally Posted by rnvinc

The install is looking great...

:ThumbsUpri

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Thanks! It's gonna be a long week at work waiting to take her out.

Took it out to my small lake this morning to test out the new gear. Spent a couple hours just driving around and watching the SI....couple tweaks made, but overall seemed to work as it should. Not much structure in this little lake. Had to tilt motor up a tad to get clear readings on the left side water column. Am thinking of dropping the transducer down an inch and see if that will help with at speed readings. I lost readings/2d at about 20mph. Hoping to get it readable between 25-30mph for when I hit the larger lakes.

Now the Terrova....absolutely flawless. Just for laughs I trolled through the middle of the lake, saw a group of fish holding at 10', hit the spot lock, got out a chartreuse combo and sure enough jigged in my first summer crappie. It was a small speck, but a big victory!

One question I do have is how to set it up so I see my jig on the 2D?

si only works at slow speed, about 3mph is best. if you really want to see a lot, turn off the big motor, and use the trolling motor once you see something you want to check, you'll see a lot you would have missed going faster.

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Originally Posted by Tundah

One question I do have is how to set it up so I see my jig on the 2D?

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Turn Switchfire to "Max" mode and then adjust the sensitivity to an acceptable clutter level...

Set Chart Speed to 10...

Your jig has to be in the cone shaped sonar beam to show on the display ...

Here is the shape of the 2 separate 2d cones ...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...reenshots1.jpg

Rickie

Nice setup Thanks for posting... I am getting ready myself to upgrade from stock equipment. GPS/Fishfinder 1st on list

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Originally Posted by DCottrell

Nice setup Thanks for posting... I am getting ready myself to upgrade from stock equipment. GPS/Fishfinder 1st on list

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Thank you. So far I am pretty happy with the 898, I got the transducer height tuned in good to keep depth readings up to 35 mph. The main little lake I fish unfortunately doesn't have much structure so haven't seen the good stuff on side imaging yet, but it shows the shallow grass beds very nicely. Can't wait to hit some other lakes and scout for some bottom structure. My latest upgrade was some Cumberland 360s. I mounted them in the back and have the extra bases for the front for spider rigging, but haven't decided yet how I'm gonna do the front set up. Got time though since I've just started learning to longline.

Attachment 132674

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tundah

Thank you. So far I am pretty happy with the 898, I got the transducer height tuned in good to keep depth readings up to 35 mph. The main little lake I fish unfortunately doesn't have much structure so haven't seen the good stuff on side imaging yet, but it shows the shallow grass beds very nicely. Can't wait to hit some other lakes and scout for some bottom structure. My latest upgrade was some Cumberland 360s. I mounted them in the back and have the extra bases for the front for spider rigging, but haven't decided yet how I'm gonna do the front set up. Got time though since I've just started learning to longline.

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Can you get some screenshots of these shallow grassbeds ... ??

I think that would be good reference for those curious as to what grass looks like on SI ...

Rickie

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Originally Posted by rnvinc

Can you get some screenshots of these shallow grassbeds ... ??

I think that would be good reference for those curious as to what grass looks like on SI ...

Rickie

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Will try to get some better shots this weekend, I was fighting the clock with inbound weather...and I lost...
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