Need a little advice from the experts

Planning to purchase a Helix 9 Mega to run on the console. Want to move my current Helix 5 to the trolling motor.

I want a new TM with "at the least" spot lock. Current TM is a Minn Kota Edge 12v 45lb with a 45 inch shaft and it pulls the boat fine, in my opinion. Never have battery run time issues up to this point. I mostly fish brush and docks with a single pole method but occasionally drift or troll if the fish require that type of fishing. Here is where I need advice. Boat is an Alumacraft Prowler 165. Very small, lightweight boat.

1) Should I keep the 45" shaft or go with the 54"?

2) I have read other post about 12v vs. 24v and can't argue either side of the discussion but is the 24v motor worth the extra money for my application? I have 2 trolling batteries now for 12v parallel wiring or 24v. Most of our fishing days are 6/7 hour trips or less on reservoirs. Currently don't spider rig but would like to give it a try some day.

3) Is the I-pilot link worth the extra money for someone that fishes 90% of the time in one spot? I know how the link allows your motor to follow lake contours in relation to depth but past that I'm not real sure what the advantages are. Should I save the money and stick with spot-lock and auto pilot only?

I'll spend the money if needed but like to save a little when possible. I know this issue has been discussed quite a bit but I don't want to spend the money and regret it either way. Any help is greatly appreciated...

NEEDTOBFISHING,SOUNDS LIKE YOU FISH THE STYLE FISHING I DO,BP AND DOCKS,I GIVE YOU MY OPINION,I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FOOT CABLE MAN AND TO USE A HAND HELD OR FOOT REMOTE IS NOT GREAT WAY TO FISH,THE BEST ADVICE IS IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT IS TO GET ULTREX ,IT IS THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS FOOT CABLE AND SPOTLOCK AND HAND HELD REMOTE,SPOTLOCK WORKS GREAT IF WIND IS BLOWING OR CURRENT BUT WHEN CALM YOU NEED CABLE AND EVEN MORE SO AROUND DOCKS

Doesnt the Terrova come with the remote and the foot pedal? That would be a slightly cheaper option if it does.

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My small pontoon boat does just fine with a 12v Minn-Kota PowerDrive V2 with an iPilot. I can troll two days running without recharging from one deep cycle battery and still have almost 80% capacity showing on my smart charger when I hook it up.

The iPilot conversion was a piece of cake. And although it won't follow contour lines, it has auto pilot and spot lock.

Switching from the foot control (electric, not cable) to the iPilot was a real benefit.

Tom

Yes it does. And it would be a bit cheaper. I look at the ultrex as a very good option for us older folks with possible mobility issues, balance and so forth, or just someone that likes the most up to date option. To each his own. I have a PD-V2 and an auto pilot. I would have gained two important options had I gone with the terrova. One is a smoother and easier deploy and stow and the other is the extra options given with the I-Pilot. I bought mine about 6 or 7 years ago and it has given good service. I wish I had spent the extra and gotten the I-Pilot, and if I add it to mine I lose the pedal unless I get an extra device to make it work. My point is, the extra dollars shouldn't be the deciding factor as it was with mine. Bite the bullet once, buy the right tool for the job once and you wont have to upgrade later and spend more money. Also look down the road ten years and think of how your abilities might change and try to plan for that as best you can. Good luck with your choice, hard to have one foot on either side of the fence.

You could actually add a couple foot switches and a couple of relays and be able to steer the V2, but you would have to use the remote to set the speed. I have done this for several people. You can also add a switch and select between old foot pedal and remote, but you would have to switch cables between the Ipilot and the foot control. It is not expensive to do either of these mods. Let me know if u be inclined to try.

I have a terrova with ipilot. The link would be helpful for the trips where you go to a "new" lake for the weekend or vacation, and you could easily follow the contour. You'd need proper hummingbird electronics to go with it too though.


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Originally Posted by Stovall

Doesnt the Terrova come with the remote and the foot pedal? That would be a slightly cheaper option if it does.

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It's not the same foot pedal. The foot pedal on the terrova doesn't have the power assist steering. Completely different from the ultrex. I have had both, get the ultrex.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm still pondering what to buy. I sure love beating docks but as others have mentioned, I don't know how my fishing may change in the next couple of years. I'm convinced to get the I-pilot link. Just need to decide on the 12v vs. 24v and the Terrova vs. the Ultrex.

Thanks again for the sincere responses..

I have the terrova with ipilot and love it. I didn't want to spend the extra money on the i-link, and be locked into the hummingbird FF. The terrova turns fast enough with the electric drive for me. I mostly troll and have found that following the depth contour that the i-link offers doesn't really benefit me. The ipilot will only save I think 10 tracks but I have found that is plenty. Fish don't stay in the same spot as far as trolling goes for very long anyway. The ipilot link saves more tracks and more spot locks. But if you save the spots on your FF to don't need them on the TM. I have the 24v 80# thrust. I can troll for most of the day on that. I've never ran out of battery. I thought that I wouldn't like the remote but once you get used to it it's pretty awesome to be able to control the TM from anywhere in the boat. Mine also had the foot pedal which is great for quick responses.

I can "anchor" out in the Ohio river current all day long with my 80lb, and still have battery left at the end of the day. IDK if the 12v would do that.


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