I'm thinking about getting one. Any negatives?

If your looking for a shallow water trolling motor the terrovas turning is delayed and the foot pedal doesn't work like the other trolling motors by minkotta.

I've had a Terrova for the past four years. The Ulterra and Ultrex might have a few more "bells and whistles", but the Terrova gets the job done. I rarely use the foot pedal, because I prefer the remote. The Spot Lock and Trail functions will make fishing in the wind much more enjoyable for you.

I can only assume Terrova's are now more affordable than when I purchased mine due to the introduction of the Ultrex. I have had no problems with mine and as I said above, I've had it four years. If you get one second-hand, I would suggest you seek a second generation, because the Spot Lock is suppose to be a little better.

Only negatives are the way you deploy and stow the Terrova is a pain in the rear and also the totally electric steering is very different than any other type trolling motor.

I will only use the Terrova. It's great and let's you stand and fish all day without standing on a pedal with a bad back. The foot controls require such a light touch and just works great. I have had three of them as I get a new one when I trade boats. So I fill in the pedal tray with plywood then mount the Terrova pedal much farther forward. The autopilot and spotlock ! Allows you to fish more and jack with a trolling motor less. Love mine.

Only negative I see is slower response time. Mount doesnt bother me, its pretty easy to deploy.

I love the foot pedal and it is way easier on my back after a long day of fishing than cable steer.

I have not used the Ultrex or Ulterra so I cant compare. But no way I would spend money to upgrade. My terrova does everything i need it to do.

I had the Terrova for 8 years. I have an Ultrex now. I liked the Terrova a lot but the Ultrex is an upgrade. I think the technology (spot lock) is the same now (much better) compared to the Spot Lock on my Terrova (purchased 2009). Two biggest negatives of the Terrova:

- hangs off the front of the boat, so you will need the sliding mount if you trailer your boat (this means you have to slide the Terrova forward when you launch and back before you trailer)
- Stowing and deploying is difficult, especially on really windy days.

Ive had two. no problems with either..I bought the Gen2 to get a better spotloc, and its is.
I like the manual deploy, actually very light and easy.
I have a 60" shaft and glad I do. The shaft is adjustable I can put the whole thing in the water and get
it pretty deep, great for spotloc in wind and waves and wont come out of the water..
or I can adjust it about 12" into the water for shallow water fishing...great feature.
The newer spotloc holds a tighter area than the first gen...but they both will 'wander' sometimes.
I can usually keep the gen two in a 5'square, the gen one was between 5-12' depending on the signal..
I'm a remote guy, works great, I never use the foot pedal. Mine runs all day on a full charge in the wind,
love it...jim...I;m at fork on weekends when it warms up if ya want a demo...
I don't have a sliding mount, and never have a problem loading/unloading

*** THIS *** the same here.
newer ones are probably better ,,,,, but my 4 year old Terrova works just fine and at 65 yrs old I have no problem with the deployment or the pick-up

+1

I hate the mount! It is terrible.

I've had a few. They were pretty good. Spotlock was a little off on the 1st generation if your boat catches a lot of wind it moved around a bit. If it didn't then it was more accurate. I never learned to use a foot pedal and still don't to this day. It takes a little time but you learn to like the remote. From the first time that I got one I said that I'd never change for anything that did not have spotlock. I recently upgraded to the new Ulterra. The auto deploy helps my back. I'll tell you this, the new spotlock is as accurate as you could possibly get. There are a few more features added that I really like. If you will learn to use the electric steer, then you will really like the Terrova. If you are able to get the new generation you will completely fall in love with it. Can't go wrong either way.

I've had them on 2 boats and neither one required a sliding mount for clearance on the boat trailer. Depends on your boat and trailer configuration and how you mount it. The stowing/deploying warnings in rough water are correct. If you get careless it would be easy to go overboard.

Ok.....

I hear about dudes using the remote exclusively, quite a bit.

How do you fish docks effectively with one hand on a remote and only one left to cast and reel? Having an Ultrex with Link, I have a nice remote. I often forget I even have it. And when I do remember, it's seldom charged.

I once used the remote to move my boat away from a dock and lock while I went to get the truck. I almost took out my boat and the dock trying to "steer" the boat back to me. Lol. Confusing and horrible to use.

It does look cool though hanging from my neck like Run DMC's chains.

LOL...get that thing gold plated

Once you get used to the remote it is kind of second nature to reach and hit a button and I do it without thinking about it flipping docks or when fighting a fish. My ulterra foot control doesn't seem to be as touchy as it was with the terrova so I admit now I have begun to tap it left and right when I am busy. I guess it is like using a hand controled TM. I tried and it was terrible with one but I see guys who are so smooth with them that you just watch in awe. You should see me with a foot control steer. My boat would be hitting the dock or doing circles.

After a few years under my belt with the remote, it is pretty much second nature but if I use it to call the boat back to me at the dock, well all the controls are backwards and I'm just glad no one video taped me a few times.

Ken I commend you for being the only one on this thread who bought a Terrova and who will swallow their pride and admit the mount sucks!