Biting the bullet and upgrading troller to spotlock capabilities.Advice wanted.

Well have been on the fence for a while but finally decided to to go ahead and make the jump. Not my first experience with using a spotlock feature as on my last 16ft alum jet drive rig had installed a motor guide x5 36 volt unit as at the time they spot lock was supposed to be much more accurate than the Minn Kota motors at the time.. Worked pretty well but understand that the newer units are better.

Going Minn Kota this go round as the current crop of trollers that Minn Kota is supposed to be the best most accurate. Studying the models I quickly ruled out the powerdrive series as no heading sensor included and remote operation only and not even an option to use a corded foot control. Liked the pricing structure of the powerdrives but to many drawback to me to save a few hundred dollars on a major purchase.

So decided to go with the Terrova line as the spot lock features with the header sensor is the same as all the way to the top models. Also unit comes with both remote and corded foot control and I prefer a little redundancy and like the idea that the foot control is wired and does not require batteries.

I also like the idea of the lift assist as I am getting old and actually the boat I am placing this troller own I have owned since the late 90's and has had a powerdrive motor on it all these years so I know what the deploy/stow is like without it.

One of the hardest choices as this is just a 14ft mod v jon and I fish mainly smaller waters or rivers was between the 12 or 24 volt option.

I did just totally redo the wiring and battery layout on this boat earlier this year and set the boat up with a total of 3 group 31 deep cell marine batteries and laid the batteries out as such adding a few short jumper cables allows the transition from 12 to 24 volts easily.

The big thing is of course the 24 volts adds about 250 dollars to the price over the 12 volts but as I figured that getting about 44% more thrust (55 versus 80lbs) and that there is only a 6 amp difference in maximum amps pulled because of the higher voltage (50 versus 56 amps) that it was worth the extra dollars in cost to upgrade to the 24 volt.

One place I did finally draw the line even though I am planning my next upgrade to be a Bird helix 9 or 10 SI Mega unit I just cannot bring myself to add even another few hundred dollars for the "link" system even though I like the concept of being able to follow a depth contour or navigate to a saved waypoint in the bird by pushing a button.

This unit is already costing more than my 36 volt MG from a few years ago and adding the link will push the cost to over 2 grand!

I am going to pull the trigger probably by days end will I regret not getting the link even at the added cost? Would love to hear from someone that has experience with and without it!

Thanks.

I am of the opinion, in for a penny in for a pound.
If you like to pull bottom bouncers or crankbaits, it is definitely worth the extra dollars.
The follow the contour is the big thing IMHO, it is a useful tool.


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Buy once cry once is my philosophy on stuff for the boat.

Don’t get what you want the first time and you’ll end up spending more to upgrade to what you originally wanted.


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My 55 pulls my 17.5 stick steer just fine. See no need for 24 unless your fishing on electric only waters. Or river fishing in strong current. There are a few times I wish I had the 24 but 85% of the time perfectly happy with the 55. If you went with 55 dollars saved would go towards price of link.

You may want to wait a few days before you purchase. Looks like Humminbird and Minn Kota are introducing a new model on 7/11. You could see if your interested or at times they discount the older model to clean out inventory.

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Originally Posted by Cray

My 55 pulls my 17.5 stick steer just fine. See no need for 24 unless your fishing on electric only waters. Or river fishing in strong current. There are a few times I wish I had the 24 but 85% of the time perfectly happy with the 55. If you went with 55 dollars saved would go towards price of link.

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Actually, I did go back and look and if I stayed with the 55 12 volt and added the link it would then only be a 100 dollars more than the 24 volt without the link. That would be a price I consider reasonable for what it is going to cost in any configuration and really have it all

I do actually fish sometimes more electric only lakes and use a 55 lb transom mount for long runs across the lake and the bow mount motor for shorter runs and fishing duty. One of the reasons I set the batteries up as I did was one battery runs the front troller, one battery runs the rear troller, the 3rd battery is bilge pump, fish finder and boat lights, (rarely need those anymore) and sort of a spare gas tank for the troller to get back to the ramp if needed.

Both myself and my fishing partner are retired and fish weather acceptable and always on weekdays no weekends. light wind okay but if the wind starts howling usually will not go or stay out to awful long. Our average fishing days are usually only about 6 to 7 hours max.

When we go on the river the troller is for fishing only as a 9.9 gas will then be on the transom for other runs. The current is generally lazy but there are some more rapid areas with boulders that are only a few feet deep that are good smalley spots but at normal pool the 12 would be okay even in most of those areas for a while anyway. I do not find myself going into those type of water areas very often any more.

You guys are helping and giving me a lot of good insight, that staying with 12 and getting the link will probably put the biggest smile after I get the new bird upgrade in the future. Sort of starting to lean that way now. Will be pulling the trigger by tonight one way or the other.

At my age and my health I sort of figure a purchase such as this sort of long term and maybe the only one I may make!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Roy

You may want to wait a few days before you purchase. Looks like Humminbird and Minn Kota are introducing a new model on 7/11. You could see if your interested or at times they discount the older model to clean out inventory.

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They are discounting the price a little now and free shipping why I was thinking about pulling the trigger by tonight. Free shipping is a big deal on a troller!

Is there ever a best time to make a purchase? lol!

Call Brian at BBG marine, and check his price.
You have to call and talk to him.


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Originally Posted by Redge

Call Brian at BBG marine, and check his price.
You have to call and talk to him.
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I have heard good things concerning him and the company on several different fishing and boating forums. Have any of you guys dealt with him and seen his prices beat those from the Minn Kota factory outlet store by a decent amount?

Yes, call Brian, you can thank me later.
Others will chime in I am
Sure.
Great thing about BBG is he is prompt, courteous, and does what he says he will do.
By the way I have no affiliation with BBG. He has just done a great job for me every time.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Roy

You may want to wait a few days before you purchase. Looks like Humminbird and Minn Kota are introducing a new model on 7/11. You could see if your interested or at times they discount the older model to clean out inventory.

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Been doing a little digging on this trying to find out something or a clue. All I have been able to come up with is the picture of the trolling motor foot with the bird emblem. Of course the guesses and speculations on line are just that but it seems some think it is going to be a change or perhaps an option to upgrade to an imaging transducer within the foot of the trolling rather than just the the us2 transducer currently offered.

Although I want SI at the bow and do prefer the image to be generated from the bow area not the transom I do not think I want the transducer mounted on the trolling motor.
Even if it is mounted internally you still will be dealing the SI blur when you turn the motor. I think I still like the "stick"style fixed transducer bow mount type of options better.

I have definitely have decided to hold off and call Brian. May even wait until the Minn Kota unveil on the 11th just to not even have the possibility of having buyers remorse of jumping a day or so early.

I do appreciate the added input I have received and it has given me options that I am considering that I really was not before. Still interested in further opinions or experiences as well.

I will post what I do after it is done. Thanks again.

You may want to wait a few days before you purchase. Looks like Humminbird and Minn Kota are introducing a new model on 7/11. You could see if your interested or at times they discount the older model to clean out inventory.

Brian at BBG beat everyone's prices on my 24v Terrova. I have a Deep-V 16.5' Lund, and it is more than enough motor. It holds in high winds and in the Ohio River current without any issue. It can pull my boat at 3.5mph too. On a 14' I would go with the 12V, as it would probably work just fine on my boat.

Call BBG get the 12v with link and be done with it. I recently got the 80# with link from him. Only reason I got the 80 is I’m planning to upgrade boats in the next year and wanted one big enough for that. The 80 on my 16’ jon will go 3.8 mph. Way overkill for that boat , but it should be good on a 20’ bass boat.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by tcounty

Buy once cry once is my philosophy on stuff for the boat.

Don’t get what you want the first time and you’ll end up spending more to upgrade to what you originally wanted.


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X 2 !

Here's another :cheers2 on Service and price from Brian at BBG Marine. Over the past 3 years I've bought 4 HDS units, several accessories and 2 Trolling motors from him.
My latest purchase was an Ultrex trolling motor last month.

First class service and good prices every time.

I bought the new 55lb terrova non link from Brian last year for a 17ft Lund and really love it I have Garmin electronics so the link is not compatible which made it an easy decision for me. Cant remember what I paid but I believe he always has free shipping and his price was as good or below others I checked. I am in my 60s and the lift assist is awesome , especially in rough water as you dont need to stand up to to retract it. The only time I ran out of juice was fishing the Missouri river in stiff current otherwise like Cray the 55 is all I need.As far as the spot lock goes mine holds it extremely close except when its dead calm,then it might wonder a bit.
Marky

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tcounty

Call BBG get the 12v with link and be done with it. I recently got the 80# with link from him. Only reason I got the 80 is I’m planning to upgrade boats in the next year and wanted one big enough for that. The 80 on my 16’ jon will go 3.8 mph. Way overkill for that boat , but it should be good on a 20’ bass boat.


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I did chuckle at that, on my 16 foot aluminum jet rig I sold about a 1 1/2 ago I had a 36 volt x5 with a spot lock 112 lb motor on that one and I loved it! That boat was all aluminum decking, no carpet and no extra compartments, simple single plain aluminum console and was probably just as light as my current 14' with added wooden decks and flooring.

As far as the power I can always turn the dial down for less power but once its cranked all the way up I have to settle with what is there.

I may well go with the 12 volt because of the price difference . See what Brian at BBG says he can do on the pricing.

Otherwise I have the batteries and wiring really already in place and running the 24 volt at a lower speed setting will pull fewer amps and increase battery longevity on the water.

Really trying to keep that buy once, cry once motto in my head as I have experienced that a time or two in my life where I regretted not really getting what I wanted.

Same as an outboard most people do not fuss about too much power, fuel economy maybe but not the power!

Call Brian

Okay guys, took the advice and called Brian and as you all have said it was a very good experience. I told him what models I was looking at and what I had boat wise.

I also told him my general fishing conditions and we talked about the "LINK" and for my individual situation and what I had told him he said that it would be borderline whether the link would be a worthwhile purchase for me at the added price point.

That in itself sold me on everything I had been hearing about how awesome he and the company was. Here he could easily advised the extra expenditure and higher priced unit and I would have bought it. Same with the 12-24 volt motor did not try to upsell the higher motor and advised the 12 volt was plenty sufficient.

As a result of his impressing me so I went ahead and ordered my new depth finder at the same time as well. I originally was going to get the trolling motor now and wait a bit to order the BIRD.

So I have placed my order for a Terrova #55 trolling motor with spot lock but no link and also a Hummingbird Helix 9 Mega SI.

I feel these units will be a nice upgrade to my little boat and will fulfill my needs for where and the way I fish. Also yes Brian does offer the best pricing I have found as well.

From my experience I will also now be a member of the call Brian Brigade!

So thanks to all that advised me to call BBG Marine and offered your insights to help me make my decision for my purchase. :highfive

Just an update and another plus for Brian at BBG Marine. I placed the order for the Trolling motor and Helix 9 at about lunchtime on Monday the 9th and my friendly UPS man braved the heat and humidity to bring them to my door right after lunch today.

So not only great personal service and prices awesome quick delivery as well which is included in his pricing.

Amazon could take some lessons from Brian to the definition of two day shipping.

Now just need a break in the heat and humidity so I can get this stuff installed on the boat.