i-Pilot Suggestions

Would appreciate information about choices for an i-Pilot for my Lowe FM170WT. I currently run a 70HP Yamaha and have a bow mount Minn Kota 50lb. Power Drive thrust trolling motor but haven't used it much at all. I"m hooked on salmon/steelhead fishing now, and want to upgrade my boat. I'd like to in stall a Minn Kota i-Pilot trolling motor to make it easier for me since I mostly go solo. I'm looking for something with enough power and reserve for at least 6-8 hours of constant trolling on Lakes Michigan, Erie and Ontario. I'm thinking a 12 volt Terrova wouldn't be enough for my needs. The 24 volt Minn Kota Terrovas are about the limit of my budget. Any suggestions and experiences would be helpful. Thanks.

There is some good info on trolling motor selection at Minn Kota's website and TrollingMotors.net. The guides will tell you thrust and length of shaft needed based on size, weight etc of your boat. I'm guessing the Terrova 80 lb thrust 24V would be more than enough to give you all the power you need for trolling under most conditions and as a auto pilot with the 70 hp or a kicker providing most of the power under some conditions. That's what I'm going to set up on my 21 ft Lund. I do not need to link to my finder/GPS unit so I'm getting the basic system without transducers. They run about $1,500. By the time it's completely installed it will be well over $2K but worth it to have the ability to fish alone or with only one other on board. If you plan to use iLink then the cost goes up considerably.

Bordy, thanks for your reply. I'm going to go basic also and not link the trolling motor to my fish finder. Are you going to have yours installed by a marina? I'm trying to figure out installation options.

Hey Skywatcher,
I'm pretty handy with tools and such so I'm going to mount mine myself. I have a buddy with lots of experience with electronics so will ask for help if I need it. There are some good you tube videos on mounting trolling motors. They point out some of the main issues to be careful about. I watched a few of those and think I can install mine with no problems. But if you aren't confident, then check with a marina. It shouldn't cost that much to have a professional do the job.

You may be able to get a 24 volt motor to troll 6 hours at walleye speeds. On a 17 foot boat. I doubt very much you could make it last going 2.4 to 2.6 mph salmon speeds. What minimum speed does the 70 go. If it trolls down to 2.2 Or 2.3. You could then use your autopilot electric trolling motor running slow to steer with. Make up the .2 to .3 more speed you need. Allot of the bigger boats will use the kicker motors locked in straight at say 80 to 90 percent of the speed they want. Then the autopilot electric for steering. Getting the rest of the speed from. Makes a big difference running your electric at 15 to 25 percent. Compared to say 60 percent or more to get to 2.4 mph.

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Originally Posted by Bordy

There is some good info on trolling motor selection at Minn Kota's website and TrollingMotors.net. The guides will tell you thrust and length of shaft needed based on size, weight etc of your boat. I'm guessing the Terrova 80 lb thrust 24V would be more than enough to give you all the power you need for trolling under most conditions and as a auto pilot with the 70 hp or a kicker providing most of the power under some conditions. That's what I'm going to set up on my 21 ft Lund. I do not need to link to my finder/GPS unit so I'm getting the basic system without transducers. They run about $1,500. By the time it's completely installed it will be well over $2K but worth it to have the ability to fish alone or with only one other on board. If you plan to use iLink then the cost goes up considerably.

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Do they make one for my boat? lol ... I'd need a 9' shaft... :cool:
Attachment 6702

I have a 17' Alumacraft with a 24v 80#thrust motor guide i5. It will run my boat about 2.5 max in fairly light wind. Early season I can troll about 6 hours doing 1.0 - 1.5 or so. Come summer and I need to run 2.0 or faster I only get a few hours tops. You might be able to get lithium batteries and improve that. As for me, my boat is in the shop now getting a 9.9 set up on it so I can troll as long as I want, just wasn't satisfied with all electric. I will still use the electric for the GPS steering capabilities and boat control. I had a hard time going slow enough with the main motor, a 140. I have trolling bags and they work pretty well but are a PITA. Now I'm just debating whether to get an iTroll or something like that.

Attachment 6704I have a 4000lb boat with the 36v 72” minkota and 9.9 kicker. I have run the trolling motor by itself and can get about 3 to 4 hours. Use it mainly to steer the boat. Works great. With the kicker running I can get 6 to 8(run it when waves and wind are around 2’). I use Standard AGM batteries with onboard charger. Real nice when perch’n. Spot lock is great.

Thanks guys for all the information. My 70HP will troll down to 2.2 -2.5mph. I would use the i-Pilot mainly for steering to give me more time working the back of the boat. From all your comments, it looks like the the Terrova 24v. 80lb. thrust would work for me. Thanks again.

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Originally Posted by Skywatcher

Thanks guys for all the information. My 70HP will troll down to 2.2 -2.5mph. I would use the i-Pilot mainly for steering to give me more time working the back of the boat. From all your comments, it looks like the the Terrova 24v. 80lb. thrust would work for me. Thanks again.

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Skywalker, I have Terrova 24v 80lb 60" shaft I-Pilot that I pulled off my Lund Tyee 1950 year before last. I swapped it out with Ulterra 36V 72" shaft, self deploy & stow. The I-pilot Terrova was working great when I pulled it off my boat. It's been wrapped up & stored in my garage in the Ulterra box ever since. If think you might be interested, I'd be very negotiable on the Terrova with you. Let me know if interested & we can set up way to talk.

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Originally Posted by Max

Skywalker, I have Terrova 24v 80lb 60" shaft I-Pilot that I pulled off my Lund Tyee 1950 year before last. I swapped it out with Ulterra 36V 72" shaft, self deploy & stow. The I-pilot Terrova was working great when I pulled it off my boat. It's been wrapped up & stored in my garage in the Ulterra box ever since. If think you might be interested, I'd be very negotiable on the Terrova with you. Let me know if interested & we can set up way to talk.

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Max,
What is the make and model number so I can research to see if it has the features I need? Thanks.
Jim

If you would like to use your main motor for trolling, an inexpensive way to go is a ray marine ST1000+. I LOVE mine should have bought it 20 years ago.

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Originally Posted by Skywatcher

Max,
What is the make and model number so I can research to see if it has the features I need? Thanks.
Jim

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Jim, I'll get box out & open it up tomorrow to get info. What's best way to get you a picture? I only know it as Terrova 24v 80# thrust 60" shaft. It has remote, record a track, spotlock anchor, no bluetooth. I bought it new with my Lund Tyee in 2007. As I said, when last used it still was working great, never any problems. I didn't use it all that much because with Tyee the 60" shaft wouldn't keep motor/prop below water surface with much of a chop on Erie. And, I just got old & decided to go with auto deploy & stow.

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Originally Posted by jreed2528

If you would like to use your main motor for trolling, an inexpensive way to go is a ray marine ST1000+. I LOVE mine should have bought it 20 years ago.

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jreed2528:
It looks like the ST1000+ might be a possibility. I'd be interested in how you have yours setup, ie. what size motor and how you mounted it. My main motor does not have a tiller arm. I would probably have to mount it to a small kicker motor with a tiller arm. Any info is appreciated. Thanks.

Max,
If I went with an iPilot, I'd have to go with one that has the auto deploy, stow, and bluetooth for the same reason you did - age related. I'm also looking to see if the Raymarine ST1000+ auto pilot might work on my boat. Thanks for all your input. If I come across someone who might be able to use an iPilot, I'll send them your way.