Minnkota PD with AP and/or US

[picksbigwagon]

I am in the process of finally getting a trolling motor for my 16' fishhawk, a Powerdrive with auto pilot and/or universal sonar. I am looking at the 74 ft lbs. with AP or the 70 ft lb. with AP and US....how much would a person use the sonar? I do a mixed species of fishing and if I was going to troll around a specific area I could always stand in the back of the boat next to my locator (hummingbird 565) just wondering how many people use the universal sonar......

Also, which quick release works best with this trolling motor??

thanks

[picksbigwagon]

Never mind, I just ordered the one with out univeral sonar.

Now what about the quick release mounting plate?

[musky hunter]

Universal sonar is such a good idea, I just hate the dangling wire going to the transducer. My next trolling motor will have the built in transducer. Just my $0.02.

[tyeeme]

I would agree the U/Sonar is awesome but so is the copilot stand whereever you want look at the front or rear ducer jig and drive with your hand does it get any better? Oh yeah bring some xtra batteries. I took my last Minnkota apart and ran the cable down the shaft and drilled a hole in the powerhead it worked great but it was 10 years old dont think you would wanna do that to a newer one unless you dont like your warranty.

[katoguy]

The US is great if you are standing directly over the trolling motor and vertically jigging. (Keep line out of prop!)

The composite quick release bracket (QRB) is gaining popularity. It came out last year. It is a little cleaner because only a 4.5" x 6.5" puck stays on the boat when the trolling motor is pulled off. The metal slide-in bracket has been around for many years.

[LABS4ME]

If you work some nasty walleye structure like on Cass, the US is an awesome feature. The front of the boat may be in 19-20' of water but the back of the boat may be in 40' of water. You can add a transducer to your trolling motor, but as others have said, it is real nice not to have the extra wire running down the shaft. Plus if you ever change the locator on the bow, it is compatible with most if not all major brands. No need to swap out transducers.

My last boat had a PowerDrive w/ US - AP and I added the co-pilot. Once I did that, I rarely used the AP any longer. Save the money on the AP, buy the Power Drive w/ US and a co-pilot and you'll be set. My new boat came with a MAxxumm and while I like the deploy/lift function better than the PD, I really do miss my co-piolt.

Good Luck!

Ken