Let me explain my fishing style first....I'm a sit down, hand control TM guy ALL my life....I've used foot control 100's of hours by comparison in other people's boats....I am ready for a spot lock, auto deploy/auto stow TM ....I believe it will extend my ability to continue fishing alone and just in general due to my age and some physical issues.....that sounds like an Utrex to me....54" - 80 pound.....input greatly appreciated.....is the foot control easy to master, is the stow and deploy trustworthy?....is it durable?

MJ

I run an Ultrex, 80# & 45” shaft 24V on a 19’ fiberglass boat. I love the foot pedal and the accuracy of the spot-lock. Not sure @ the auto-deploy, I’m certain they offer a model with that feature. I’ve had an XI5 and hated it. It was in the warranty shop 3 times in 2 years, never own another Motorguide. Hope this helps

Ditto for me. Love my Ultrex and I'm on the foot pedal 100% of the time.

The Ultrex is manual deploy and stow. The Ulterra is auto deploy and stow, I do not have any personal experience with that model. The Ultrex is rather simple to deploy and stow and I hear some of the other brands are even easier and have better "assists".

Here is a video of the Ulterra in action.
Minn Kota Link

I have an Ulterra. Parts of it you will love. Auto deploy is nice as I can pull up to a spot, drop the TM, spot lock and start fishing even in the back of the boat. But the main thing I like is I can move it up and down with a button so when you get a lure hung in shallow water super easy to go pick it up. I did have my motherboard die on me. It was 2 weeks out of warranty but MinnKota covered it anyway. Still more parts to go wrong for sure. But as you, my back's shot and it's easier with auto deploy/store and auto depth. I fish out of a CC for the same reason. I mostly bass fish, but the CC is just so much easier on the back. One downside is the motor can't lift a 360 so you can't do that. You can do MegaLive though as someone makes a bracket for that and the transducer doesn't weigh much. I've got mine on order.

So then....this one

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Minn_Kota_Ultrex_i-Pilot_Trolling_Motor/descpage-REXI.html

Not everything I wanted but best in class maybe

Have an ulterra and love trim options and manual deploy/stow is great. steering takes some getting used to, though. I have a 36v 8 month old ulterra for sale. need to get that extra battery out of the back

It's really not at all related to lifting and deploying when I am in the boat, it's launching by myself that is hard on me brother

I went from the Ultrex to the Lowrance Ghost and couldn't be happier. Neither are auto deploy if you are set on that feature, but I like the Ghost way better.

Is it ipilot link? what shaft length?

Same for me too, couldn’t be happier.

Why is it way better?

For me it seems the ghost is smoother, quieter and is a lot more accurate when on spot lock, though I do stop my boat before spot locking to prevent the back and forth that can happen. The assisted stow and deploy do make a big difference and I am a fan of that. I will say though it should matter more about what brand of electronics your running, if you have Lowrance graphs you will love the added features that they have with the Ghost. If your not running Lowrance graphs I would go with the Ulterra but be aware of the extra parts that will at some point like all others break.