I have a Skeeter ZX20 Bay with a 75w wireless Motorguide trolling motor. I'm having a hard time holding the boat over brushpiles. Thinking about changing motors, possibly to an I-Pilot or a hand contolled Minn Kota. The problem is the wireless lacks quick response. I wondering if anybody has used an I Pilot on a center console boat, and if it will hold steady in a moderate wind. Thanks for the help. All we do is crappie fish. Don't want to destroy other peoples work with an anchor.

I've read on the General Equipment Site that they will NOT lock in, and keep you over a large brush pile. If you buy a large enough unit ( LBS Thrust ) it will handle the wind. They say that the Electric Foot Pedal, is not very quick to respond, I would assume the I-Polit to be the same. The Cable Pedal has the quickest responds.

Do a SEARCH on the General Equipment Page. Lot of good info on this. Researching Trolloing Motors also. Not my opinion, just what I have read on the sunject.
Keith

The i pilot is nice, however I miss my cable drive. It is not precise enough for me to fish with it on spot lock, so I end up disengaging it and controlling it manually anyway. Its nice to hold in an area if I am retying or eating lunch, but it is not what I imagined it to be.

I made the change from a hand control after almost 40yrs to a foot control. The boat I bought had a Motorguide which I didn't care for, so I switched over to a MinnKota. Best move I ever made. I have a Maxxum and love it, I have never had such control especially in strong winds. I have some friends that were running Motorguide and made the change to MinnKota and wonder why it took them so long.

If I was in the market for a new TM it would be MK Fourtrex.IMHO the best TM made.

Steve

I am in the same situation as you, also have a Center Console. You will hear different opinions on the I-pilot. when I finally do make my purchase I am going to get a guide trip with quicksilver and check out his. He also has a I-pilot on a CC, plus I will get to fish a new lake. Crappie.com has alot of reviews on them also

I agree

That is precisely why I sold mine. I went back to a Maxxum and am very happy I did.I love my Maxxum 70 too. Until it wears out I will keep it. The Fortrex would have been what I went with but at the time I was already in the hole $500 after the I-Pilot fiasco.

Bobby you had me looking at the fortrex the other day, found a 101 for $1100 shipped, almost pulled the trigger but am goign to get my test run first before i make my final decision.

Cool! You are doing the right thing.

Thanks guys.I knew i could get info in the general equipment section but wanted crappie info. I was leaning toward the I Pilot because the foot space is limited on the front of my boat.I would really prefer a cable drive foot model.Sounds like the I Pilot wouldn't be a great change from my Motorguide.

the igps will not keep you on a brush pile or on a dock...in GPS mode.

The digital foot peddal once trained will do a good job.

I have the 3x steering 101 from Minnkota and don't want to get rid of it....but am getting ready to ge the igps.

Get a foot control with cable drive and learn how to use it. You'll be happier and less frustrated in the long run. One other thing, buy the biggest (thrust) that your boat can handle or you can afford. You can turn a big one down but you can't turn a little one up.

I went to an 80lb Maxxum cable last year and I can hold it still in a he _ _ of a wind. Much happier

I have been reading where the 101# thrust were very noisy. Anybody have one to confirm or deny. I believe I would be jammed up with the 80#. Are the 101's 36v or can you get them in 24v also.

Keith