I would like to get a new trolling motor that will anchor me over a spot.

Hello I am new to forum. I used to do a lot of offshore but now back into freshwater. I have a 17 foot G3 aluminum with a 90 horse. I have a Humminbird Helix 12 that will supposedly work with network cable. Anybody have any recommendations for the best models?
Minn Kota vs Motorguide?
And I just want the lowest model that will do it. I won't be running over stumps with it at 20 mph so I don't need some super mount.

There are a lot of choices and the websites are pretty vague.

Thank You
Bobby

I think i remember your screen name from the 2cool forum


If you are wanting to network your Humminbird to the trolling motor then you would probably want the minn kota terrova with ipilot link Bluetooth model. Minn kota networks with humminbirds and lowrance with motorguide If you plan on ever using your rig in the salt then you would want the riptide terrova version but it does not have a foot control just remote.

I have a Minn Kota terrova. It has spot lock. A better name for it would be wander around. The Motor guide might be a better choice.

Minn Kota won that battle...I have had a 80 Riptide for 6 years, and it is a beast. Wore out the Motherboard, it was easy do replace it myself, saved $300.00.

Whatever you decide, don't skimp on the batteries.

Which terrova legacy or Bluetooth? The newer Bluetooth is far better than the legacy units if you set it up correctly with calibration and boat scale settings

Agree. I recently sold my Legacy Terrova Ipilot and got an Ulterra bluetooth. The spotlock is lightyears ahead! I was lucky to stay in a 20 foot circle with the Terrova, now it's more like 2 feet.

I went from the MK Terrova to the Motorguide Xi5 and for the first year I loved the xi5. The spot lock is excellent but the power seems to be a little less than the equivalent MK Terrova machine. Now that Ive had it over a yer its been the shop twice and will be back as soon as I can find some time to take it in. Ive argued with Motorguide about it being a lemon and they are not standing behind their product. Its had both the GPS and main control boards [censored] out on it more than once each.

I'll be purchasing the ulterra once I'm completely fed up with the xi5 I have now.

I have a terrova from a few years ago and it can be frustrating spot locking near something stationary and almost bang into it because of how horrible it does at times. Once it figures out your location and has you there it generally does a fair job at spot locking. I'm saying this because the newest models are suppose to be a huge improvement and I would consider getting the newest models. Bob Maindelle of Holdingthelineguide service uses a newer ulterra and it is awesome and is very accurate and only a few hundred bucks more.

I have an Xi5 and really like it. I can spot lock and cast out my catfish lines and almost keep lines tight with out moving around to much. maybe 1 foot or less movement.

I have the new Ulterra and it holds within a couple of feet. If you couple it with the I-pilot Link you get the plus or minus 25 feet. The link supports the old spot lock system and the stand alone Ulterra supports the new more precise dual head system. It is great to have the computer assisted move to waypoint. I have sat in the big wind and and held steady at the spot lock location. I lost some flexibility but love holding right on top of the fish. There are plus and minuses to the Humminbird system. I will keep what I have for now. Read all you can BEFORE you buy a new system.

actually the "Link" has nothing to do with the gps or spot lock system. The "link" allows the trolling motor to network with the humminbird graph.

Hi Diesel 44. I was on 2cool as same handle. good memory. Wish koine was that good.

Thanks for the welcome.

Bobby

Thanks for all the input so far. This is the best way to buy expensive equipment in my opinion. From the guys using it not the salesmen so much.

what i found on my offshore boats overall.
Raymarine good stuff and user friendly overall a good unit. Fish finder was better than Garmin apples to apples. This was non chirp. Customer service was Aplus and stayed on phone tip it was fixed.

Garmin uniit i had was more reliable with no updates. and great GPS Never had to call customer service.

Furuno was by far the the best Fishfinder of the 3. I called customer service while setting up and you call a direct line to the tech. A plus there too.

Who has best customer service between minn kota and motor guide?

I have had both over time and only had issues with motor guide and am having a tendency to steer clear of them as of now. But I am keeping an open mind as of now.

I bought a refurb ulterra with bluetooth I pilot for about 1700 check glenns reels on ebay he has others .

fast service also

My buddy got an Motorguide Xi5 and it works great, his is 12 volt but they have 24 volt too.
I saw they now have an Xi3 model which is supposed to be lower cost. It's a gamechanger.

I have an xi5.
Works great , no issues.
Good luck.
Mo

I don't have bluetooth so I guess it's legacy. Not very usefull as an anchor system.

Only advice I can offer is go with no less the 75#'s thrust with 24 volt set up.

My vote is Terra nova, only because I can't afford the Ulterrra self deploying model. Yet:)

Good luck and Good fishing!

I don't think I need 75 lbs. I think I want to stick with a 12 volt system as i want to keep weight of boat down. Its a very light weight 17 foot aluminum boat. Plus i won't fish in the wind anymore. But I am still learning about all this so I won't rule it out yet. I aint that mad at em.
I used to be real mad at em.



Heck I was looking at the new 15 foot anchor poles. That will keep me on most of my spots i fish now. All options are on the table right now.

was going to add a couple pics but they won't upload. Its always hard.

I recently put a 2017 Terrova iPilot 55 foot pound 12 volt on my Duracraft 1660.

My boat is similar is size to yours. I have held my boat within a 4 to 5 foot circle
for hours on spot lock in a 15 mph wind with a 31 class battery. This trolling motor
far exceeded my expectations. It is a brilliant machine and will immediately let you
do things you could only dream of before. I haven't used an anchor since I put this
on my boat.

I have both (36 Volt models). I prefer the minnkota as the hand held remote gives you better indication of what your setting is. I believe the minnkota also works/communicates with your hummingbird fishfinders.

Both are heads above throwing an anchor