What are you guys using? Opinions?
MK powerdrive or terrova?
Co pilot, auto pilot, or I pilot?
What about the motorguide w75 wireless?
I need at least a 24v motor, what size are you all using? 70, 75, or 80?
INDIGO BAY 170- 90 JOHNSON
MK I-pilot…anything else is wasting money…i personally could not see paying the extra money for the terrova…only difference i have seen between PD and terrova is the foot pedal and the way it stows and deploys…not worth the extra 400$…JMO
Ditto!! Why would anyone buy anything but an I-Pilot? Motorguide needs to catch up. Their motors are for green bass fishermen. Spotlock is in and of itself worth the extra dollars!
Xpress HB-22
175 Yammy Jammer
yep, Ipilot is the only way to go. Not sure why you think you need a 24v. I have a heavy 20’ boat and have never needed more than the 55# that I have. Fished in some crazy winds during the lake world tournament running the trolling motor for 14 hours with two batteries. That was the only time I’ve ever ran a battery completely down with it. We stayed right in the wind all night and it had no trouble. I guess if you plan on pulling lures and need to go fast you might need more. You might want to check out the crappie hole in chapin, heard they have good prices
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
MK I pilot is the way to go. I have the 70 lb 24v Power Drive. To me it is the best investment I spent on fishing in a long time. Spot lock enables you to move around more and not sitting there dreading pulling anchor. I also use the advanced auto pilot more than I thought I would especially when long lineing for crappie.
Seapro43
Tom, what speed will the 54# get you up to for trolling. Does it perform still in a strong headwind?
I have just always liked the extra power and I hate charging batteries every trip. I currently have a 109# 36V motorguide that probably has over 2000 run hours on it that finally the foot went out on. I could buy a new foot motor for $350 but figured it was time to step up to a wireless. I know I can’t afford the I pilot now, but might could get the PD2 copilot model and upgrade by next march.
INDIGO BAY 170- 90 JOHNSON
I use bait exclusively so I never really go more than .8,but usually .2 to .4. I guess it would go close to 2mph on high, but I’m sure that would drain the battery fast. I’ve never had trouble in winds and I fish the wind blown side of the lake when it is windy. I do recharge my batteries after every trip, which is really necessary if you want your batteries to last. If you plan on using it for trolling lures you will need more than 55#
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
we have the 80# minnkota i-pilot with gps/spot lock/transducer/wireless/and 18’ foot control along with other stuff that i have no idea how to use. oh yeah; also the wireless remote. we got ours from sportsman’s guide. good service. much better price and $80 mk rebate. endedup costing right at $1150. now; if only my son would let me use it. heck; murrymaker has used it more than me. ha ha
Yeah, I need it to use trolling with as well. I hate running the outboard. Too much noise and smelly.
Coolbreeze, that is a heck of a deal you got on that 80# terrova. I can’t find that motor for less than $1400.
INDIGO BAY 170- 90 JOHNSON
I think I have settled on the Riptide SP 70 with copilot. It is the best value at $785, and I can add I pilot in the spring for $400 if I feel it will be worth it.
Thought hard about the used W75 for $650 listed in the swap but I am a little nervous about buying something used when I can get new with warranty for $200 more.
INDIGO BAY 170- 90 JOHNSON
i recommend you fish with an I-pilot before doing that. I don’t have one but used chips on my boat and it’s all I think about every time I use my autopilot. If you don’t go I-pilot at least go autopilot. autopilot pretty much gives you hands free fishing were the copilot doesn’t
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
As much as I would love to get the I pilot now, it is just not in the budget with christmas coming up and a 7 week old baby.
I could spring the extra $100 for the autopilot, but my thinking is that if i spend $900 now on that model I won’t want to pay $400 in the spring for I pilot when I could have just spent another $200 in the beginning. So I would be stuck with a plot.
Since I mainly fish saltwater in the fall the I pilot will be useless. Right now I have in the budget for the copilot riptide, then a second hummingbird for Christmas, and the I pilot in march. Just in time for night fishing where I can set spot lock and leave the anchor at home. That’s my thought process at the moment anyway.
INDIGO BAY 170- 90 JOHNSON
yeah, I know how that is. I want one but can’t afford it either.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
geronimo; yeah we did get a good deal. sportsmans guide runs specials all year long. it costs $30 to be a member and then you get 10% off on your orders and sometimes special or free shipping. have been using them for quite a few years and also satisfied with c/service and return policy.
I Pilots are for sissies!! Real men, as well as those of us who can’t afford one, use an anchor to hold still. 
Jeremy, If you are not going to go with I Pilot, I would at least consider auto pilot. Without it you will constantly be correcting the direction manually when pulling freelines or anytime you want to track straight.
The auto pilot also comes in handy when you are drifting and have a stiff breeze. You can point the boat into the wind and adjust the speed to controll how fast you are drifting. You can also do it without the auto pilot, but you will be constantly having to correct the direction doing that as well.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
hey tim; call me a sissy. i like the i-pilot/auto pilot/stop anchor and all the other goodies that i put out good cash on this minnkota terrova. the hardest part was convincing mine and my son’s wives that we needed a new motor when there was nothing wrong with the digital that we had. i do believe that this motor will be a good one for a long time. probably the last one i will buy.
Well your in your late 80’s, so that probably will be the last one you buy:smiley:
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
I also have the 24V I pilot on a 19’ bay. Best money I have spent besides the boat itself. I would definitely shop around before settling for something less. The auto pilot plus cruise control is great. Check with The Crappie Hole and also check Cabellas / BPS online and occasionaly they will have “reconditioned” units at a pretty good price.
I have a riptide 12 volt 55lbs thrust on my 22ft skiff and when the wind picks up it will bearly move …I would get a 24 volt I pilot.
Weston t
I think I have decided to go ahead and get the Riptide SP55 Ipilot.
As much as I have tried to talk myself into a larger motor, the fact is I have a small 17’ boat. It really is pretty narrow, and lightweight and I should stop thinking it is like a big bay boat or skiff. 55 pounds will move the boat easily, and i will be able to get rid of 2 50# batteries out of the front. That along with me getting rid of my jack plate which adds 50 pounds to the rear should make the boat better. Just the extra storage room will be nice, plus the 55 is so much cheaper I can get the ipilot right away and not have to wait. If I need to troll faster I can use the outboard, or just run it on high and carry a spare battery. After all, I’ll have 2 sitting in the garage all the time.
Thanks for all the help.
INDIGO BAY 170- 90 JOHNSON