Terrova

I'm talking myself into a terrova with ipilot or link. I'm set on a 12 volt so I guess it's terrova 55. My two biggest concerns are shaft length and backwash spooking fish when using spot lock. I have 36" 40# all terrain now and it does what I need it to do. I am able to run it all the way down in shallow water. It lets me have plenty of room for my trolling rods out front. It looks like terrova 55 with link is only available in 54" shaft and ipilot is available in 45". I really want link, but don't know about the extra length. Do any of you use spot lock and have trouble with backwash spooking fish? I think it would be great to stay completely still while unhooking a fish or untangling a line. It's a big investment for me and I just want to get some input from some of you that have been there and done that.

Shafts lenth isn't too big of a deal they have a collar the slides up and down and you can set the depth of your motor. The spot lock feature is great and a very handy tool but don't be fooled it will not keep you dead on the spot you spot lock it will drift off then work it's way back to the spot which works great when spider rigging over a pile.

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I have the 36 volt I piolt and really like it .. The spot lock is handy as you said when untangling line and such .. And I use it some over beds but it's going to move you around 10 ft or so ,, just because of gps accuracy .. So I tend to use the hand held remote and just bump it as needed to stay on target over brush

if spot lock is the primary reason you are upgrading then do yourself a favor and get the motorguide xi5. the anchor mode on the xi5 is significantly better and less of a hassle than minn kota's spot lock.

Yep.....feel free to buy the longest shaft because the depth is adjustable. Staying right on a brushpile is not really an option with terrova....not sure about any other TM's, but I've heard good things about the rhodan motors. I think in the future, the GPS in these motors will be refined to allow closer positioning, just because of competition.

In reference to the shaft length it is my understanding any authorized Minn Kota dealer can shorten it for you if wanted. There are also YouTube videos on the subject as well.


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Xi5..for sale in the classifieds..check it out

Drifting is an issue if your not facing into the wind. When facing into the wind a pump keeps you in position. When messing with fish or pines I like to drift off the spot a little ways and then hold position. Real easy to spook fish when moving about the boat. If boat control is that critical, I prefer to double anchor and not worry about moving at all.

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Originally Posted by vic n

Yep.....feel free to buy the longest shaft because the depth is adjustable. Staying right on a brushpile is not really an option with terrova....not sure about any other TM's, but I've heard good things about the rhodan motors. I think in the future, the GPS in these motors will be refined to allow closer positioning, just because of competition.

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I can only hope that the competition makes them get better!

Get the 54 inch....You dont have to lower it only as much as you want too....in windy conditions you will be glad you can lower it some more.....also....does not hurt a thing sticking up...it makes it easier to pull up and stow. I have a 60 inch on my 80 lb. terrova

I have the 55 12 volt on my Lowe 175. I didn't want the extra length, but it does make it easier to stow since it sticks up higher and is easier to reach. When stowed it does cause some challenges depending on how it's mounted for putting your boat cover on. Mine is mounted diagonal across the front, with it stowed it sticks out to one side on the top. So I can really only safely dock on one side of the boat.

Those are all the cons, the pros are: it's friggin awesome! I don't even have the foot pedal installed, only use the remote. I can drive it from anywhere in the boat! I've caught many crappie marking them right under it running, so I don't find it to spook fish. Spot lock is not what I expected, it will hold at the nose a 10-12 ft radius, but the back of the boat will circle depending on the wind. It's most useful when you hook a fish and don't want to drift away. I used it a lot a first, but now I mostly tie off if we find a good brush pile to fish. I've had many instances fishing spot lock too where it seems to create some motion to jigs near the turbulence and get bites, where my wife at the back doesn't.
I really like the record a track to use while pushing Minnows. It does a pretty good job of taking you back over your set path. The variation too will help you fish more area, but it too is not exact.
After owning this unit, I don't think I will ever switch back unless I just don't have a choice. Suffice to say, I really like mine and highly recommend it.


Chris

Thanks all for the responses. I'm one step closer to taking the leap. As far as shaft length. Doesn't it get in the way of your rods when you are spider rigging if it's sticking up 12" or 13"? That was my concern when fishing shallow

We can fish 3 rods per person, so 6 rods up front. If you get it mounted up centered I don't think you will have a problem pushing baits even with the longer shaft. I would be glad to post pics but I don't know how from my iphone.

Chris

stowing a terrova is EASY just hit the release and then the rabbit button, but be ready to catch it as it'll come up faster than you think, then shut it off and lay it down. Works for me. This also works on a Power Drive.

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Originally Posted by SIcrappie

I have the 55 12 volt on my Lowe 175. I didn't want the extra length, but it does make it easier to stow since it sticks up higher and is easier to reach. When stowed it does cause some challenges depending on how it's mounted for putting your boat cover on. Mine is mounted diagonal across the front, with it stowed it sticks out to one side on the top. So I can really only safely dock on one side of the boat.

Those are all the cons, the pros are: it's friggin awesome! I don't even have the foot pedal installed, only use the remote. I can drive it from anywhere in the boat! I've caught many crappie marking them right under it running, so I don't find it to spook fish. Spot lock is not what I expected, it will hold at the nose a 10-12 ft radius, but the back of the boat will circle depending on the wind. It's most useful when you hook a fish and don't want to drift away. I used it a lot a first, but now I mostly tie off if we find a good brush pile to fish. I've had many instances fishing spot lock too where it seems to create some motion to jigs near the turbulence and get bites, where my wife at the back doesn't.
I really like the record a track to use while pushing Minnows. It does a pretty good job of taking you back over your set path. The variation too will help you fish more area, but it too is not exact.
After owning this unit, I don't think I will ever switch back unless I just don't have a choice. Suffice to say, I really like mine and highly recommend it.


Chris

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I am considering one of these as well. I have a Alumacraft Trophy 170 with a 41ft/lb thrust now.....ample power and am considering the 55 with 54". Everybody is telling me to get the 80ft/lb with 24volt. Do you find the 55lb enough for your Lowe 175? Is your boat finished inside, console, livewell, etc? Trying to figure out if the 55 will handle mine in walleye wind waves too.

Thanks

IMHO..there is no such thing as a to powerful trolling motor. Will last longer on the water for sure. The only real drawback is cost, but then, isn't everything. Surely, space to fit multiple battery's is a consideration, but most folk's find a way. Also , safety is a consideration..should your main engine conk out, you will have a better shot at returning to the dock, that might be a long way off. I would think that your vehicle has more power that you typically use, but when you need it, you need it! Nice to have it in reserve. One more thought..you will be able to buy more 'stuff' ..boat will be heavier..and you can still troll longer:yikes. YMMV

I took the plunge! I ordered a 55# 45" with ipilot. I ruled out link because most of my favorite lakes are only on navionics and by the time you add in ethernet cables, box to connect it to my 1199 and 959 and the cost of lake master cards it was a big price difference. I run two batteries now in my 17' quantum fiberglass with my 40# all terrain and don't have any issues running out of battery in two days of fishing. If I switched to 24v I'd have to buy a different charger and isolator switch. Thanks for every bit of input. You all are the best.

Royalwapiti, my boat is fully loaded, two live wells, side console, and three people normally on the boat and sometimes the dog. 2 mph + is easy to achieve. In the wind I might run it at speed 6, (of 10) on calmer days 2-3 is the norm. My terrova changed everything for the better and I will never consider something else.

I did have to run some heavy gauge wire to it, I believe it's 4-6 gauge, and use the minnkota recommended breaker. I had 10 gauge on it to begin with and it would shut down at speed 8 for low voltage drop on long runs across the pits at pyramid. After upgrading the wiring it has never shut down.

Sub'd to read later

What G said!!!!!

Actually you would be better off searching out newer information concerning the Terraova and Minn Kota spot lock as there have been a lot of changes since 2016 when this thread was current.

Back a few years ago Motorguide Xi5 was the most accurate, I even bought one back then for that reason, this year for a different boat I bought a Terraova as the shoe has changed and Minn Kota is the better option in my opinion. Also the new model motors have a spring assisted stow feature which make stowing the motor basically effortless.

This is the parts I'm really struggling with. I want the ipilot link, 12v. It only comes in 54" shaft
Putting this in my stick steer 16' boat. Currently running a mk edge 50lb with a 42" shaft. which seems to be perfect height for my spider rig set up and stays in the water in wind. I'm afraid that the 54" will stick up too high and get in the way of my spider rig.

I know I can sink it down deeper but afraid I'll beat it up too bad on stumps and shallows. Can the terrova be raised higher like I do with edge by pulling my rope to raise prop up to skim the top of water in shallows or over stumps?

Thats why I was searching to see about cutting shaft to accommodate.

I saw some stuff about the x5's and they sound ok but I wouldn't get the benefits of my helix units connected to it

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Originally Posted by Blackjeepjk

This is the parts I'm really struggling with. I want the ipilot link, 12v. It only comes in 54" shaft
Putting this in my stick steer 16' boat. Currently running a mk edge 50lb with a 42" shaft. which seems to be perfect height for my spider rig set up and stays in the water in wind. I'm afraid that the 54" will stick up too high and get in the way of my spider rig.

I know I can sink it down deeper but afraid I'll beat it up too bad on stumps and shallows. Can the terrova be raised higher like I do with edge by pulling my rope to raise prop up to skim the top of water in shallows or over stumps?

Thats why I was searching to see about cutting shaft to accommodate.

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Get the 54 inch. Try it on your boat. If it doesn't work out, just have it cut down. Talk to the folks you buy it from about cutting it. That way your warranty stays intact.

The terrova does not lift like a regular trolling motor. Doesn't have a rope at all. You unlock it, slide it up and back to lock it down.