Minnkota Trolling Motor...I Pilot ??

[nirvananight]

I am thinking about upgrading my 12 v 46 lb motorguide  to a Minnkota.  I would love comments on the particular Trolling motor I am looking at.  I am going to be upgrading to a 24 v system and what I am looking to do is get a TM that is able to trace a path that I can follow later with a push of a button (for trolling stripers in a river with a decent current) and also a 'electronic anchor' deal with the I pilot where I can just press a button and be put in one place.  It is veryyy difficult to fish one particular hot spot when there is even a light wind.  I have to have my foot constantly on the pedal to make sure the boat  doesnt move and that ruins the experience for me as I can't usually do both at the same time well.   

So...is the Terrova 80/US2/i-Pilot 45 inch shaft what I would need?   (http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/trolling_motors/freshwater_bow_mount/terrova.aspx)

Is 80 thrust ample?

I really appreciate any advice! 

[Top-Water]

Need more info. what size boat?
I have a Tracker pt. 175 with the Terrova 55/ no US2 (read bad things) just mount a transduser to it yourself...
no problems!! I don't have the i-pilot (yet) so I can't say, haven't researched it yet either

[nirvananight]

Yeah, I am not too crazy about the US2  but it comes packed with the ipilot model.  I have a transducer that I coiled around my current MG.  My boat is the tracker 175 tkw 2011.  I think a little over 17 feet.  I believe the current shaft is 42 inches, so I am guessing the 45 inch will be good.  Also, my boat came with a Guest 4/4 onboard charger.  If anyone has experience with that one, please comment.  I would like to just leave that one in when I make my system a 24v if upgrading is not needed.  Thanks!

[Top-Water]

I think the 80 will be perfect, its what I'm gonna get when this one takes a dump.
I pulled this off of my last boat and still runs like a champ!!

[socal Pat]

I installed a Terrova 80 on my Tracker PT175 about 6 months ago. I can't say enough good things about the Spot-lock feature. Also I put the foot controll in the storeage locker and haven't used it in months.

  OK now the bad. Trolling at any setting above a 4 will use up the batteries more quickly than I thought it would ( I put in brand new ones when I upgraded to 24V). If you troll at low power you should be OK.

  Since the TM has a GPS built in it allows me to monitor my trolling speed down to 10ths of MPH where my boat's speedo won't even move until I'm almost 10mph. This is great for consistant lure presentation for stripers at say 2.6mph.

  I haven't retraced a trolling path, but it is really cool to find a piece of structure, lock it in, and later on just hit the button and the boat will navigate you back to that exact spot all on its own while you have a snack.

[nirvananight]

Thanks for the input guys!....SoCal Pat...did you upgrade to 6 gauge wire by any chance?  Or did you keep the stock 8?

[socal Pat]

I took the easy way out.... had Bass Pro / Tracker Marine install it for me. They did upgrade the wire and installed a breaker (at my request) just in case.  BTW I got teh 45" shaft and pretty much need to have it in the full down position to keep good contact with the water.

[nirvananight]

Hmm not a bad idea if I can't do it myself.  What materials did you provide them besides the motor and how much did they charge if you do not mind.  You can PM me too if you wish.  Thanks SoCal!

[socal Pat]

I went to Bass Pro about a mile from the Tracker shop and picked up a charger (which you won't need) and a battery. Turns out the Tracker shop could have supplied those for the same price I paid but Oh well. I just left it to them to supply everything else including a new battery tray. Sorry but I really can't recall the price of install, but I wanted it done fast and right. I would have hummed and hawed over the install being a first timer. ( I just took 3 days to install my new Humminbird 597) so there you go.