MinnKota i-pilot

[imgoing2sleep]

Just wondering if anyone else is using an i-pilot on the river out there. I have a 16 ft Tracker and was thinking about getting one. I originally wanted the PD V2 70 LB thrust but after learning that it won't work with a foot peddle I decided to go with a Terrova model instead. I see that they only have a 55 LB and then 80 LB thrust. I currently have a 43 LB thrust and know that on windy days or high current on the Croix, I have a lot of trouble. I kind of with the Terrova had something in between. 55 LB thrust just seems like it would not be enough to me. Is 80 LB overkill or is the 55 LB okay?

[WalleyeChaser]

I have a 55 lb 1st generation powerdrive (non V2) on my 17 ft. Monarch with a full windshield and let me tell ya its a work out for that motor in current and windy areas. My father in law has the 36v terrova i-pilot on his 20 ft. Ranger and that thing ROCK! Not sure of the thrust but it works almost as well as a kicker motor. I would go with the 80 lb. I've been thinking of up grading as well!

[PerchJerker]

An 80 lb motor will not be overkill. If you have room for 2 batteries I'd really recommend the 80 lb motor (I assume that's an option for you since you were looking at the 70 lb PowerDrive motor).

If you can only go with 1 battery then you'll have to go with the 55 lb motor, and it will be fine in a lot of situations but there will be days you'll be wanting the bigger motor. Very much like the situation you're in now with your 43 lb motor.

The i-Pilot is great and it really shines on the river, in the current. Well worth it in my opinion!

[jigginjerk]

With wind and current a 55 will struggle. You can always slow a motor down but once it's wide open thats it. Go with the 80 Terrova, I did on my 17 smokercraft and I am so glad I did. The 55 I had before just didn't have it on windy days. Don't limit your fishing by under powering. Oh, I forgot, the I-pilot rocks in so many ways. One of the greatest fishing tools of the last ten years.

[BoxMN]

Hey PJ, have you heard of any changes to the second year of the i pilot? Nothing feature wise I am sure, but I am one who doesnt' buy the "first of a model" item anymore - been burned on that before, haha! I'd love to get i pilot, they are awesome, but I want to know it has passed a year or two of actual "user testing". Any specific problems encountered in the first full year? I have not heard of any, but I know that the MK is famous for auto pilot going bad, being on our fourth AP model, we know only too well, haha! But I would not be without it, even with its flaws.

Thanks for any info. I want the 80# real bad

[Can'tFishEnuf]

I absolutely love my i-pilot, especially the autopilot and cruise control worked together. It is really great when fishing with kids. Allows you to help out the kids while the i-pilot maintains boat control. The only complaint that I would have is that on the record-a-track and spotlock, it seems a little slow to react. I only have the 55 lb on a 16 foot boat, but I never see it go above about a 3 – 3 ½ speed. Also, I have had it up to about 5 -6 mph into a pretty stiff wind. Anyway, overall it is awesome. The spotlock is really cool (even with the slow reaction) when you want to hover over a spot in deep water. No need to mess with the anchor.

[FBMH]

My dads friend has the 80lb terrova with the i-pilot and man let me tell ya! That thing is butter. The features that come with i-pilot are unbelieveable. I especially like the back tracker and automatic tracking system where it will troll on the same path. Just crazy things it can do! Also, the 80lb seemed to be enough when we were fishing muskies on mille lacs a couple years ago with 30mph winds!

[PerchJerker]

Hey PJ, have you heard of any changes to the second year of the i pilot?

Other than the price being higher this year, and the i-Pilot being pre-installed on more models, I haven't heard of any changes.

The reports from last year are outstanding. I've only heard of 1 or 2 guys who had problems with their i-Pilots and they were minor problems that Minn Kota took care of right away.

[FishinAddiction]

The 80 lb is a must in my book and you'll learn to love the anchor button. One mistake I made was not bringing spare batteries for the remote. Frustrating when you have that kind of money hanging off the front of the boat and you can't use it like you want cause of a dead $3.00 battery.

[reddog]

I have a Crestliner 1750 TS with a MinnKota 64 Autopilot/Co Pilot/Reaction system and am making the change to a 36v 101 Terrova IPilot, because the river works the carp out of it.

I just mounted the Terrova on my boat yesterday. I finished up re routing the charging system, as I had an MK330, with two going up to my 65AP and one to the main battery. I left the wire going to the rear, and put disconnects on the 3rd battery up front, so I can switch it out if I need to charge the primary.

Im really looking forward to this upgrade!

[eyebjim]

You'll be surprised at how well the anchor setting works in current. Much better than in wind on a lake. It works well for both river and lake though. I have a crestliner 1750 FH with 80lb terrova I-pilot. The 80 is very nice. I have not needed more in any condition but the 101 will certainly not let you down. The retrace a track feature is really nice also. I find I use auto pilot(old type) and cruise control together the most.

[gdog]

I have the 24V 80lb Terrova with iPilot on my Sportfish 1850 and I used it all over on the St. Croix all last year. It did great in high winds/ current whatever. It couldn't hurt to have more power but I didn't need it. Like everyone else said, the Spot Lock feature is the cat's meow and the cc too.

[nelsonnw5530]

I have the 80 i pilot. I usually disconnect the power at home when charging. In Canada last year I did not every time when I was at the dock. I had problems with the gps components. The services center informed me, if you do not disconnect the power, you can fry components in the unit. They replaced it with no problem. Always disconnect the power plug before charging!

[jwmiller33]

the I pilot is worth it's weight in gold. nuff said

[RonT]

I don't always unplug mine when charging. I guess I will be from now on. can't say enough good things about th ipilot.