I’m researching the iPilot and would love any ■■■■■■■■ you have if you have it or have used it. I’m looking at the 24v 80lb.
How well and long do they hold in heavy current (grillage, jetties, etc.) using spot lock instead of an anchor? Is it sufficient for fishing those spots?
I assume the spot lock function will allow you to fish mostly all day in less current (inshore banks, creeks, etc.)?
I’m leaning away from auto-deploy as the extra cost seems significant for that convenience.
The things are crazy expensive. Someone be a friend and talk me out of it if you think I’m going to have buyer’s remorse. My main reason for going this route is to have spot-lock which would replace me wrestling with an anchor.
You will NOT have buyer’s remorse if you learn it and use it.
The spot-lock works well if your motor is strong enough. It needs a lot of power/thrust to hold in the wind, so if you went with “just enough” you’ll be disappointed.
Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat
I think it cost me $1700 all in after rebates for the 80lb thrust, dual bank charger, and two batteries.
Heavy wind and current will move you around pretty good and it can struggle to keep you on spot at times.in those cases you might have to gauge where you want to be and give yourself another 5-10 feet of wiggle room. If you come off anchor it can overshoot your original position and the boat itself can spin around the axis of the motor itself without the gps noticing.
All of that said I wish I got this thing years sooner, it’s still worth every penny. It was especially useful while shrimping last season after setting the poles we just cruised out a bit and set the spot lock while making the hockey pucks and eating a sandwich. We did try both the tm and the regular motor on separate occasions and I think I preferred the tm but I have an old noisy 2 stroke so ymmv.
2002 Key West 1900CC
Reading your post again I’m not sure you’re even going to notice it being off 5-10 feet in open water, I haven’t. Its more when you’re in smaller creeks that don’t have much wind protection and you’ve got a specific landmark you’re trying to fish that you’ll notice.
What kind of boat are you putting it on? My 19ft is going to be more affected by wind than a standard bay boat or skiff, for example.
2002 Key West 1900CC
quote:
Originally posted by adam7Reading your post again I’m not sure you’re even going to notice it being off 5-10 feet in open water, I haven’t. Its more when you’re in smaller creeks that don’t have much wind protection and you’ve got a specific landmark you’re trying to fish that you’ll notice.
What kind of boat are you putting it on? My 19ft is going to be more affected by wind than a standard bay boat or skiff, for example.
2002 Key West 1900CC
17’ Center Console
Thanks for the replies. Man, it’s a lot of money, so I’m just trying to over-research before blowing the bank.
Adam7, how did you pull all of that off for $1,700? Maybe I need to wait for a specific sale or advertised rebate? The motor I’m looking at is $1,700 alone. Also, what length shaft did you get?
quote:
Originally posted by Moral Kioskquote:
Originally posted by adam7Reading your post again I’m not sure you’re even going to notice it being off 5-10 feet in open water, I haven’t. Its more when you’re in smaller creeks that don’t have much wind protection and you’ve got a specific landmark you’re trying to fish that you’ll notice.
What kind of boat are you putting it on? My 19ft is going to be more affected by wind than a standard bay boat or skiff, for example.
2002 Key West 1900CC
17’ Center Console
Thanks for the replies. Man, it’s a lot of money, so I’m just trying to over-research before blowing the bank.
Adam7, how did you pull all of that off for $1,700? Maybe I need to wait for a specific sale or advertised rebate? The motor I’m looking at is $1,700 alone. Also, what length shaft did you get?
I want to say I got about ~$250 in mail in rebates from MK and other coupons. I bought it at Field & Stream so I had some coupons there (whatever the Dick’s / F&S rewards program is) plus I earned some points on the purchase that came back as a cash back coupon. I bought the motor first, then went back for the charger after I got the points money. Then I think I waited a tad longer for the charger rebate to go get the batteries. I’m not sure the exact sequence of events but you get the picture. There are also the installation bits to consider like the battery tie downs, fuse block, wiring, and I got one of those mounting plates too (maybe $60 for that alone). I got two group 27 batteries from Walmart.
Keep an eye on their promotions page:
http://www.minnkotamot
Also keep in mind what I said about rotation/wandering.
If you’re dead set on being able to sit still and throw some lines out the back and leave them there, the wind and current better be with you. Its no different than if you set a real anchor though in those conditions.
In shallow water if staying exactly in place is your goal you pretty much need dual power poles because a single can still spin you around.
All that being said, while I was a little disappointed a few times with the rotation and overshooting / wandering tendencies, I definitely would spend that money again because its still worth it when the weather is calm.
2002 Key West 1900CC
Awesome, adam. Thanks for those thoughts.
I-PILOT IS THE BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO BOAT DESIGN SINCE THE GASOLINE ENGINE.
WHAT SIZE BOAT DO YOU HAVE?
www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.joinrfa.org
IF I RESPOND IN ALL CAPS, ITS NOT ON PURPOSE, AND I AM NOT YELLING
Adam7 is spot on. Pretty much my thoughts exactly. If the current is not really ripping and the wind isn’t opposing it in some crazy manner, then it will work just fine. I don’t like spot lock for bottom fishing. That’s when you notice all the movement as spot lock tries to keep you in the spot. But if your tight lining up off the bottom, straight under the boat, it’s awesome.
If you want to put a chunk of cut mullet on a carolina rig on the bottom 30yds behind the boat, it will drive you crazy. If you want to hold your position over structure and fish near the bottom, it works great.
My favorite thing to do lately is record a route and then go back and run it slowly, so I can cast to various different places along that route. If I get in a good spot on that route, then I’ll hit the spot lock and stop there for a while until I’m ready to move on.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
I love mine! I had the 80lb thrust on my 21’ CC.
Wow. It sounds like no one regrets buying theirs. Thanks for all the opinions/responses.
Chris, my boat is 17’.
I have a 24 /80 2010 model and i agree with the comments above. Mine has required maintenance in the last two years:
- replaced the electronic compass and control board
- replaced bearings in housing
- purchased new remote due to salt
Great motor to have onboard!
Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90
I have an Ulterra which is the auto deploy. Got it for a deal from a rep who used it about 5 times and still gave me the warranty with it for $1200. 80 pound is enough for the bay boat in my signature. You may be able to get away with a 55 and stick to one battery
Sea Pro sv2100/ Yamaha 150
If the wind is rapidly changing direction, I’d advise you to be careful having lines down near the trolling motor when on spotlock. The Ipilot can change direction quicker than you can get to a line and move it away from the prop. Other than that the ones I’ve seen in operation are great.
I’ve noticed a lot of the ipilot units purchased are a little older. The ones released at the end of '16 are not the same units as the ones being talked about. Minn Kota acknowledged spot-lock accuracy issues so they redesigned that feature. The “spot-lock” feature is more accurate now because of changes made with internal GPS. http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Product/Spot-Lock/
Personally, if you have room for a 24v system, I’d go with an 80lb thrust motor. Yes, the 80lb may be a little overkill for a 17’ boat but is there a such thing as too much power?
No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.
go on line to sportsmans guide and join them for $30. they give great service and great return with no problems. when you are a member you get %10 off of all your purchases. i bought the 80# and then decided after two months that i needed the 112# i called and they sent me a return ups paper with no questions/gave me credit to go towards the 112# one. i saved at least $200 if not more . have been doing business with them for over 15 years and never been disappointed. give them a try. Sporstmans Guide.com good luck
also check on the rebates. i got almost $200 on my orders
quote:
Originally posted by COOLBREEZEgo on line to sportsmans guide and join them for $30. they give great service and great return with no problems. when you are a member you get %10 off of all your purchases. i bought the 80# and then decided after two months that i needed the 112# i called and they sent me a return ups paper with no questions/gave me credit to go towards the 112# one. i saved at least $200 if not more . have been doing business with them for over 15 years and never been disappointed. give them a try. Sporstmans Guide.com good luck
also check on the rebates. i got almost $200 on my orders
Wow, awesome customer service I’d say. That’s good to know. Thanks.
I had an 80 lb on a BX22. Fished docks, the jetties, nearshore reefs for hours at a time. I literally NEVER pulled out an anchor.
I have the 112# on my BX22Pro. works like a charm. will actually make a wake on higher power. love it.