jjcanoe

Find it hilarious that he still needs to hold the thing at arms length to make it look big!

On 3/4/2021 at 11:55 AM, Sinker said:

You will like it, but I just can't get used to the hand controlled remote. I like the footpedal. I have a brand new 55lb PD with Ipilot I may sell so I can upgrade to the terrova. The Pd models don't have the option of using the foot pedal AND remote, its one or the other, and the PD footpedal doesn't have the Ipilot features. 

 

S. 

Did the exact same thing last summer for the exact same reason, with the exact same motor! My advice is that if you are going to do this, start looking for your Terrova now, my local dealer told me June for availability  on the Terrova. Started searching online from BC to Quebec and found a new one in Laval. That was it. Sold out, unavailable, backorder etc was a very common theme. Fortunately for me I was going to Quebec twice last week and was able to pick it up with no shipping costs.

On 3/9/2021 at 11:25 AM, Headhunter said:

Buddy of mine used to fish the PWT, back in the 90's. He fished many of the tournaments across a number of states. At that time many were running Optimax's on their boats. I found it interesting that Merc would travel, along with the tournaments, to each site, dragging along with them two transport trucks full of parts, tools and mechanics.

Guys would be blowing the power heads on the Opti's on a regular basis, so much so that Merc kept a stock of them in the rolling shop. Contestants would limp in in the afternoon with a blown head and the Merc guys would have it replaced on-site for the next days fish. What does that tell you about the perceived reliability of those motors by both the manufacturer as well as the owners?

HH

Can't really compare a 1990's motor to a brand new motor, the OP is buying a brand new motor not a 30 year old one!

Never owner a Yamaha, have owned 2 Mercs, a 1996 40hp oil injected 2 stroke and currently own a 2015 115hp 4 stroke, both have been great, the 40 had one issue in the 8 years or so that I owned it (up until 2015) had to replace the stator and thats it.  The 115 was bought new with my new boat and have never had a problem with it, reliable, powerful, quiet. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

It trolls low enough to not need a kicker, it pulls the kids on the tube like there's nothing behind it.

Just my modern engine $.02

I added iPilot to my Powerdrive this spring thus losing my foot pedal.  Worked great, the ipilot is a game changer with spotlock, following tracks, contours if you have Humminbird electronics.  The only thing I didn't like about losing my pedal was the ability to stop the motor while fighting a fish without taking a hand off the reel. Hook a fish and it starts coming right at you, sometimes with the boat momentum and the fishes run towards you, there is a lot of slack in your line no matter how fast you can reel.  With the foot pedal it was easy, bump with your toe and done, with the remote, take one hand off the reel, hit spotlock or the prop button, put hand back on the reel, fish gone! Thats my only negative about foot pedal vs remote. You do gain extra floor space on the casting deck without the pedal which on a 1650 would be nice (it is on my 1700)

All that said I used the the 55# Powerdrive ipilot all season and sold it this fall and bought myself a 80# Terrova, the extra thrust will do my boat well and will gain a more advanced pedal as well as remote.

Found it. 

There is an extensive Pronav thread on here somewhere, you should search it up. I'll try and link to it if I have time

There is an extensive Pronav thread on here somewhere, you should search it up. I'll try and link to it if I have time

Fishing Artifact? Lmao

", which can make you more labor-saving when fishing. The perfect structure allows the fishing reel to run at high speed, so you have no worries about fishing."

LOL who writes these ads?!

Probably will be able to change them, but check with the licencing site to be sure. Wasn't aware you could pre plan the days you fished, when buying a non resident licence. Alway thought the 8 days started the day after you bought it. I get one for a relative who visits every few years and that was the case 5 years ago.

Looks like that has changed?

Asked the same question back in Jan. Ended up going with the ipilot,  the cost difference is just too great. With the Canadian dollar in the crapper it's even a worse deal now

Also limestone based as opposed to granite where you usually fish

Yes quite similar in structure but not as many islands, there are lots of bass near shore and on good days you can almost sight fish them. Walleye not so sure and as for pike I've heard stories about good pike fishing in the area but they might be stories, or maybe not?  Try and find some drop offs rocky shoals or flats or river mouths

My bad $20 taxes in Eagle Claw Magnum hook remover

Bought one of those at the spring fishing show for $15, exactly the same.  BPS or Cabelas should have them or visit your local tackle store when they open up again

So the main differences are, 

IPilot: 6 saved tracks, 6 saved spotlocks, must record tracks and save spotlocks as you go 

Pronav: unlimited for both, can preset these points in advance on tablet or phone via Google earth or Navionics 

IPilot: remote, lose footpedal

Pronav: remote, keep footpedal

IPilot app: 2.9 rated by users

Pronav app: 4.2 rated by user

IPilot: warranty?? One year probably, couldn't find info

Pronav: lifetime warranty, lifetime software updates, 1 year buyback guarantee 

Most other features are quite similar

IPilot: $449

Pronav: $849

I guess the question really is, are all the extras worth $400?

3 hours ago, DRIFTER_016 said:

V2 can be upgraded to iPilot, v1 can't.

My TM is v1. I checked into upgrading when I got the motor.

I was able to add the co-pilot though so I have wireless remote.

iPilot upgrade: https://www.profishingsupply.com/product/minn-kota-ipilot-for-powerdrive-v2/

Hmmmm, bought the boat new in late 2015, came with the motor..... I'll have to check into that when it comes out of winter boat jail this spring

Looking like it's going to rule the ice soon enough Dan!

Thanks Dutch01, that's the type of feedback I was looking for.  I've seen the owners group on FB.  I hoped there was someone on here who had one in use, but seems like a fairly new product.  I'll give the owners group a shot as well. 

Yup connects via bluetooth. 

Currently have a powerdrive v2.  Can't upgrade that to I pilot.

Planning on using one of the old tablets or phones I have stashed in the "drawer".  If it ends up at the bottom of the bay, no big deal lol  All of them are compatible with Navionics, which is now one price for all devices you own (one subscription). 

Watching the videos on their website it looks like it will provide everything I need.

Maybe they need a Canadian field tester....

Remote included, for the $849 

So $849 and keep my existing motor and get it upgrded to the features of a terrova with Ipilot and keep my Lowrance Elite, or about $4000 to upgrade both motor to a terrova and fish finder to a humminbird..... not really sure how this is more cost efficient 

Have a perfectly functional trolling motor without ipilot, and fishfinder/GPS,  both just a few years old,  upgrading both is what I find pricey compared to the Pronav. 

Came across this product, looks fantastic, saves upgrading my trolling motor and or fish finder.

Was wondering if anyone uses this have a few questions.

https://pronavmarine.com/

4 hours ago, DRIFTER_016 said:

I'd put them on the left side to help balance the weight of the driver when running/trolling solo.

If you put them on the same side the boat will list badly with only one person on board.

True if it's a tiny boat.  A larger boat is pretty much unaffected unless the solo driver weighs 400+ lbs. What happens when you bring a buddy out fishing? Move the batteries around some more? 

Anything else you store down there will end up soaked if it rains or you take a good splash over the side while running down the lake, definitely don't put your charger down there if you don't want to constantly be replacing it. Batteries on the other hand aren't affected by mould or mildew or generally damp conditions that will be found in the lowest point of your boat. Like I said in my earlier post, there's a reason why manufacturers put the batteries there.

I've got a Crestliner 1700 Vision, 2 batteries up front in the battery storage area dead center of the keel and the charger is under the console. That spot is designed for the batteries I wouldn't put them anywhere else. Move your charger, it needs air since it will get hot when doing it's job. Don't over think things! Too much weight at the back will affect your ride, I can get 45mph with my setup with a 115 4 stroke.

Believe it or not, boat manufacturers put thought into this process and run plenty of tests for things just like this. (Weight distribution). It's not an 40 year old tin boat, it's a new boat, go with what your manufacturer recommends.