Trolling motor choices?

[duckman#1]

Since my Power Drive is taking a dump:rant: I am looking for a new motor.
I have been looking at the Auto Pilot models and am wondering if anyone here has one and how they like it?
How well do they hold a course in the wind?

[bigbob]

im also wondering about the wireless trolling motor`s anyone have one ?

[slowpoke]

im also wondering about the wireless trolling motor`s anyone have one ?
My bro'n'law has a auto pilot and loves it. If you are fishing in the open water, say trolling for walleye, they are great. If you fish around boat docks and in tight places, say bass fishing, the cable foot control is the way to go. Ask scottyhover what he thinks. Good luck.

[jpollman]

I just bought a Minn Kota 55# Power Drive. I bought the Co-pilot but didn't go for the Autopilot. The Autopilot may be nice but for the fishing I do I couldn't justify the extra $200. However, the extra $150 ($100 after the current rebate that they have going now) was well worth it. I love being able to control it wirelessly from anywhere in the boat. So far the only thing that I don't like about the motor is the it's fairly hard to deploy it. Maybe it'll loosen up over time and get easier but right now it's a bugger to deploy. Other than that it's a good motor and has plenty of power to move my boat.

John

[flinch]

I have both the autopilot and co-pilot and can't imagine why you wouldn't want it. You can set the autopilot and still change direction with the co-pilot anywhere in the boat. If you try to run without the autopilot you can't keep the boat straight without constant adjustment. And not having to worry about a foot pedal is really convenient. I put the co-pilot on my wrist where my watch normally is and run the motor from there. You can adjust both direction and speed instantly whether you bass fishing around structure or trolling for walleye. There are also attachments to put the co-pilot right on your fishing rods as well. You will be sorry if you don't get both.

[bentrod]

I have the AP 65 with Co-pilot, on a 17' Lund, and it works great. The AP is good for trolling with a kicker, set a course and forget it, this also works on the big lake trolling when alone. A cable drive would be good if you were fishing bass and mostly casting, but the AP with CP does so much more.

Get as big as you can go on thrust, this will be dictated by how many batteries your boat is setup for. Also get a shaft long enough so your prop is not out of the water when it gets bumpy. My boat is set up for 2 batteries, so the 80lb would be what I would replace my 65 with when it dies. And I would really like the universal sonar option as well.

These gagets cost, but I have 5 trouble free years on mine so it has been worth it. An onboard charger is also a must, it will keep your batteries up better for longer life.

bentrod