Am looking at adding a TM to my 21’ Bay boat. Will use it to “anchor” over structure on the near shore reefs, brush piles for crappie, and over striper using down rods.
Am looking at the Motorguide Xi5 with the pinpoint GPS that will interface with my Lowrance HDS.
QUESTIONS -
1- 24v 80# thrust or step up to the 36v 105# thrust?
2- anyone have experience with the Xi5 TM? Good or bad?
3 - battery size - should I upgrade to. Group 29 (or group 31 if available) or stay with a Group 27?
My brother in law has one. I have a Minn Kota ipilot. Mine is the st80, his is 70lbs I believe on a KW1720. They both work great, but his works better with the anchor function for sure. Mine will drift a good bit and then come back and eventually settle out. His will not move much at all before settling. If I had to buy another one, it would be the XI5 just for the fact that it links with my HDS.
Oh, also I’d go with the 36v model on a 21’ boat. Ive never heard anyone complain about having too much thrust on a trolling motor, especially with the tides and wind we get around here. I have heard plenty of people that wish they would have gone bigger, though.
I would probably go with the 100+ lb thrust, 36v models on a boat that size. It might be overkill/overcost in many situations, but you will be glad you got it when you need it.
… The Cross of Christ is the anvil upon which the hammer of evil wore itself out.
I’d have to agree with Redfish_matt. Go big. Minn Kota makes a 112 lb. motor. It’ll kinda be like 4 wheel drive - you may not need it that often, but when you do, it will more than pay for itself.
Molon Labe!
The size of a fish is directly proportional to the time between when it’s lost and the story is told. - Me
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.
Just put a 55 lb I Pilot on my little 16 Hewes and it works and I’m happy with it, but find myself on the highest speed setting almost all the time. Wish I went bigger, but didn’t want the weight of two batteries. I’d say if weight isn’t an issue go as big as you can.
I have a 55lb on a 14’ aluminum semi-V, and even with just me and my 6 year old son, (and assorted tackle, cooler/ice, etc) and NO outboard motor, it can have issues in high current. It’s definitely sufficient, but I never go more than a 20 minute ride from the launch.
… The Cross of Christ is the anvil upon which the hammer of evil wore itself out.
I have an I pilot 80# 60" that I trade between my 20’ Glassmaster trihul and my 23 center concole for both inshore striper fishing near shore and off shore I used the I pilot when in Alabama to fish around the offshore rigs sure, worked well and was a plesure fishing.Charging 2 battery is a bugger if you fish each day but 3 is gona be a “B”
Get the 112 ipilot. I’m kicking myself for getting the 80 on a 19ft bay boat.
It’s adequate to hold 5 -6 hrs on the reef tops.
But can’t always keep up when it’s ripping.
And get an onboard charger.
Mako 1901 Inshore-Honda 130
1975 13’ Boston Whaler
1977 23 Mako-project
10% of the people catch 90% of the fish.
