Which one works the best in the field? I have read some reviews that say the Xi5 stays on the spot better when your at anchor. Another review says the Ulterra is loud when in operation. Another reviewer does not like the Xi5 shaft being steel and more likely to get bent.
Is anyone using one of these and would like to comment. I’m thinking about putting one on the boat and would like to install the better motor.
I know nothing about the MG but have had the saltwater Ulterra for about a year now. The push button stow/deploy is a great feature. I don’t find that the motor is loud and it does stay on spot. I have a 22’ bay boat with T-top and plastic and have stayed on spot lock in a 12-15 mph wind. One thing I’ve found though is if your boat is moving too fast when you spot lock, it tends to jerk the bow around a bit before it settles in…other than that I am very satisfied with the Ulterra. One suggestion, get the quick release bracket when you install it. Makes it very easy if you ever have to take the MK off your boat.
Fishing is a prefectible art…in which nevertheless, no man is perfect – Gifford Pinchot
Ice Blue Pathfinder 2200
“Kemosabe”
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Thanks
Could you tell me the thrust of your Ulterra. I do not want to underpower? All of my fishing is near shore. But there are some powerful current at times. 80 lbs? or 112 lbs? I’m thinking 80 lbs should be enough but want to be sure before I buy it. I have a 18’ Flats boat.
I read another article that MK improved the spot lock several years ago.
Mine is a 24v 80# thrust which I think would be plenty for such a shallow draft boat like you have and you save the weight of an extra battery for the 112# because it is 36v
Fishing is a prefectible art…in which nevertheless, no man is perfect – Gifford Pinchot
Ice Blue Pathfinder 2200
“Kemosabe”
<’}}}><
i have the MK riptide ulterra and am very satisfied with it s performance. it s the 112 lb/36 volt model w/60 inch shaft. i had a 23 ft bay boat with the 80 # riptide and it was not enough power to fight a strong current and mean head wind. made for a lousy day of fishing. it s your decision, but i would think long and hard to avoid being under powered. i got the ulterra for that boat , then sold it before i got to test it out. i now have the ulterra on a SCOUT 231XS. this boat was wired for a 36 v troll motor, which made for an easy installation. the motor works great on this boat. full speed is about 3.8 mph on the lake. (no tidal current). this motor has cruise control and all kind of features that i haven t figured out yet. i will say that it does all that they say it will do. i don t notice any excess noise either.( now i ll have to start listening) i got the ulterra to use while launching the boat by myself, like the guy in the commercial, except, now i m afraid it will float off the trailer out into the water when i realize i left the remote in the boat. i too recommend the quick release bracket. the only negative comment i have is, this model is not conducive for a depth finder transducer. you have to be real careful rigging the wires so that they don t catch/snag when deploying/retrieving . it can be done though. i m real close to lake murray if you would like a demo, just let me know. i m retired, so everyday is saturday. good luck
Thanks for the invitation. A couple of questions:
Both the MK and MG stick out over the edge of the boat. Does that ever concern you? I would worry that I might hit it with the dock or something.
My current 2006 Riptide MK has a plug on the end of the electrical cord. My boat has an electrical outlet in the bow area that I plug into when using the trolling motor. Does the Ulterra have an electrical plug or do you have to be inventive and create some type of plug or connection.
two good questions. first of all, it s not “i might hit the dock or something.” it s “when i hit the dock or something.”
and , no, you can use the same set up/plug that you currently have. MK gives explicit wiring diagrams for hook up, but the end result is still one hot and one ground. you just have to make sure that you get hot to hot and neg to neg. i am getting ready to leave. i ll be in my truck from 5 35 -6 00 if you wish to call. 803 609 3711.
MK is releasing a new version of their spot lock that is supposed to have improved accuracy. It’s included in all the newer models. The downside is you have to install a gps puck in addition to everything else.
I run a 70# Minn-Kota Riptide on my 17.5ft flats boat, plenty of power. I’m always in the Wando river current and it does fine. I would not go up to a 36v system if I were you.
I just put on MG xi5 on my 22 bay boat. It’s awesome. The anchor feature is spot on vs the MG which tends to drift a good bit. It is also much quieter.
He must Increase,but I must decrease. John 3:30
The 2017 MK models have upgraded gps units, they claim it is the most accurate on the market.
24v 80lb should be plenty for an 18ft flats boat.
If draft is a concern, look at group 24 batteries to save on weight. Avoid Gel AGM etc as they all weight more. DEKA by East Penn Manufacturing seem to be the standard and still made in the USA. Cross branded as Duracell at SamsClub and Batteries+
Local Cluster or anyone with a flats boat.
What length shaft do you use on that flats boat you mentioned? We both are probable out of the water in the bow about the same distance. Don’t want to order to much or to little. I would run it about 12" under the water.
I’m looking hard at the Motorguide xi5. Don’t care about auto deploy. It has everything else and some more as compared to the Minn Kota. Plus a lot less $$$
My options are: 48" and 60" shaft. I’m thinking the 48" is enough.
48
Good question, I had to wrestle with that one too. I went with the 54"just to be safe. I never have to put it all the way down so a 48" would probably work too. I often probably have a foot or more sticking up. The longer shaft does make it a little easier to pull up as I don’t have to reach all the way down to the deck. Takes up a little more space but it runs along the rail when stowed so my deck is still very open.
There are different quick-release brackets and your bow configuration will determine which will work for you. If the boat permits you might consider the one that looks like a white dog-bone on the gunnel when the TM isn’t in service. It’s just less obtrusive than the larger black rectangular bracket. That said, I have no experience with that device from a strength standpoint. I had to do the larger and it works too.
Ive used Dog Bones on 3 boats from flats boats to a bay boat. Minnkotas to Motoguides. 55lbs to 82lbs. Easy install, non obtrusive with the motor off. My opinion is that they are better than the factory option. You can get an extra mount for your garage wall for storage of you motor too. BTW, i dont use ipilot type motors, so you will have to check on availability for those
quote:
Originally posted by P-KIve used Dog Bones on 3 boats from flats boats to a bay boat. Minnkotas to Motoguides. 55lbs to 82lbs. Easy install, non obtrusive with the motor off. My opinion is that they are better than the factory option. You can get an extra mount for your garage wall for storage of you motor too. BTW, i dont use ipilot type motors, so you will have to check on availability for those
Link?
EDIT: http://www.deepbluemarine.com/products-view.cfm?CategoryID=5
Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat
thats it… you can get in black or white
also it enabled me to use one trolling motor on 2 different boats. And when i had a trolling motor die, it made putting a new one in service real easy