I see a post in the swap shop where someone wants to buy a foot control for their Ipilot…
I have often wondered about the need for a hand or foot control on those Ipilot units…
I get that the spot lock technology is second-to-none when you want to lock in a certain spot and not constantly grab the tiller handle to adjust direction and speed, but how much of a PITA is it to slip up a windy narrow creek that you want to navigate while fishing or throwing a cast net for bait? I know you can wear the remote around your neck for easy access but if you have you constantly grab the remote to zig and zag, is it a major PITA or what?
I don’t have a foot control and use the remote exactly as you described. If there’s any wind or current or if it’s a tight creek, it’s difficult to fish that way. It takes a lot of adjustment w the remote control to maneuver the boat.
Stump, funny you should ask. I’ve been fishing big water all summer with mine and its been great. Like if you want to cast a long relatively straight bank - its great. Fished “our waters” for the first time yesterday with it and decided to order the foot control. You just can’t maneuver tightly the way we want to fish. Yet you still have buttons for anchor and autopilot, so you’re not losing anything
1966 13’ Boston Whaler “Flatty”
2018 Sportsman Masters 207 www.eyestrikefishing.com#predatorsstriketheeye
I agree that maneuvering a tight creek with the remote and trying to fish in tight places is a pain. A few creeks I cruise often, I have utilized the “record your track” feature, and just tell it to go. It works pretty good. I also do this along banks off of the main channel to cruise the grass lines. I spent one day recording a bunch of tracks and it paid off.
I’ve only tried the record function once and it was in open, windy and choppy water. It didn’t work well under those conditions. I also tried the “set heading track” the same day and had the same results.
I’m sure they work better under calmer conditions.
Flicker, might have been your speed setting. I’ve noticed that if I use autopilot and my speed is not enough to fight wind/current of course it acts like it can’t track, but that is because…it cant. Not enough speed to make way
1966 13’ Boston Whaler “Flatty”
2018 Sportsman Masters 207 www.eyestrikefishing.com#predatorsstriketheeye
I have been wanting to try it more but haven’t made the time. It was so choppy when I tried that the prop was coming out of the water. It kept the boat moving forward well. It was a cross wind so that didn’t help either. Just once (under any conditions) isn’t enough to learn how well it works. I’ll get it out to learn more.
I like the sound of the “record the track” thing, that would be cool!
Thanks for all the ■■■■■■■■, I’m just doing my homework as I plan to purchase one some time in the future!
I’m thinking I would like the foot control capabilities as well…I used to be pretty good with a foot control but haven’t fished one in several years…about like riding a bike though lol
…Thanks for all the ■■■■■■■■, I’m just doing my homework as I plan to purchase one some time in the future!..
Get the Ulterra, you won’t regret it.
-The size of a fish is directly proportional to the time between when it’s lost and the story is told. - Me
-What’s the best eating fish, you ask? I’ve found that for a lot people, its the ones that they happen to be able to catch, clean, and cook. - My Dad (1/13/37 - 9/27/16 I love you Pops)
-Until you have loved a dog, part of your soul remains unawakened. Anatole France (paraphrased)
-RIP my “Puppy Dog” 10/15/2004 - 1/14/2013. I’ll never forget him. What a special friend he was.
-Team Gonna Fish
Stump, since my last message I got the foot control (had it first thing the morning after I called Charleston Marine - thanks Tyler!) and used it this weekend. I like it. Still getting used to it but it has all the features you would want. The momentary on foot button seems to get stuck in the on position sometimes which I don’t like very much but its probably me. Definitely gives the extra ability to maneuver hands-free that I was lacking
1966 13’ Boston Whaler “Flatty”
2018 Sportsman Masters 207 www.eyestrikefishing.com#predatorsstriketheeye
I would personally opt for the Terrova over the Ulterra. Too many moving parts on the Ulterra which are already causing a LOT of issues. You could have Chris from Charleston Marine weigh in on that. But, I would definitely get the strongest one you can fit(battery wise). I have the Terrova 36v 112# w/72" shaft on my BX22 bay and it’s a beast. Runs all day and never has issues. I have also thought about what it would be like to use the foot control but between the tracking features and also just using the TM frequently, I don’t even look at the remote and can make adjustments as needed without realizing it’s happening. Either way, you won’t be disappointed as the TM, especially spot-lock, is a game changer for fishing.
Most of the issues I’ve heard about with the Ulterra revolve around the auto-stow/deploy functionality so I’d have to echo the sentiment above and go with the Terrova over the Ulterra.
“You don’t always know where you stand till you know that you won’t run away.” ~Slipknot
I would like to see them come up with a device that would let you use voice commands to a small microphone or headset that would send the same signals to the TM that the remote does.
With all the recent advancements in voice recognition these days, it doesn’t seem like it would be very hard to do.
It sure would be nice to be following/casting to schooling fish without having to keep messing with the remote.
I would hold off on the Ulterra. Mine has been in and out of the shop since I bought it new.Minn kota cant figure out how to waterproof the head section and the circuit board goes out. They have added a gasket and have now changed from screws to allenheads, but parts are on back order for a month. The shop told me that im far from being alone with this issue. its super frustrating not to be able to rely on it and for me not to have a trolling motor during the best fishing time.
That being said when it does work its awesome.
I’m not a Dr, those are my initials and I cant edit my user name. Please do not contact me regarding medical issues
I’ve had my Ulterra since they came out with zero issues. Switched from the standard iPilot. If mine failed tomorrow, I would have another ASAP. The spotlock is 100% better and the jog feature is nice, but the auto stow and deploy was the prime selling feature for me. No more standing on a pitching bow to stow or deploy the motor, plus as I’ve gotten older I’m trying to do whatever I can to help my back. As with any product, there will be ones that have problems and when people post reviews, those are the ones that you hear about most. The squeaky wheel gets the oil, though.
-The size of a fish is directly proportional to the time between when it’s lost and the story is told. - Me
-What’s the best eating fish, you ask? I’ve found that for a lot people, its the ones that they happen to be able to catch, clean, and cook. - My Dad (1/13/37 - 9/27/16 I love you Pops)
-Until you have loved a dog, part of your soul remains unawakened. Anatole France (paraphrased)
-RIP my “Puppy Dog” 10/15/2004 - 1/14/2013. I’ll never forget him. What a special friend he was.
-Team Gonna Fish
