Minn Kota Trolling Motors (The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly!)

In this video I discuss all my experiences with Minn Kota over the last 3 years.

[blindhogadventures_Cory.F]

I have the exact same Terrova and have had no issues (24v 80lbs 60in). I many times I wish I had the auto deploy but after hearing accounts like yours I am glad I went with the one I have. My boat is 20' so it works for the size. Thanks for the review! Tight lines Brother.

[fishaholic]

I went for the Garmin Force manually deployed. Very quiet and easy to place in water and remove. Expensive!! Three problems I've had 1. It locked up once (electronics froze) and I had to remove battery + for 15 sec and cleared the problem. 2. Sometimes it doesn't recognize if it's stowed or not. I just raise and lower it a couple time and it works fine. 3. The head unit will slip down (bottom out on rest) which causes irratic operation. I keep an eye on that separation and it's fine. Spot lock had to be calmed down (was fast and irratic) but you can set it to a slower response. It's 24 volt and I think 50 inch shaft. Garmin has a fast help line response I've used while on the lake, I perfer the call back solution rather than wait in line, especially while fishing.

[JiminSC]

I recently saw another YouTube video talking about using a Minn Kota trolling motor when fishing near a bridge or when you can't get a good satellite signal. The gentleman suggested switching the autopilot mode from Advanced to Legacy in the settings. Legacy uses a compass instead of a GPS. Then you set a compass heading into the current and adjust your Trolling Motor speed to hold your position. I haven't tried it yet myself but it seems like it's worth a shot.

[Huy]

Awesome info Jesse. I agree my spot lock can run me into bridge pilings. Never thought about the sensor idea. Would be pretty easy to add sensors on the gunnells.

[frankschannel]

Wow...what a gracious and even-handed treatment of your experience. Thanks for sharing!! When I used the motor selector (I have a new-to me since April, 2024 Sea Hunt Triton 172) it recommended a Riptide Terrova 80lbs thrust 24v with a 72" shaft. My only gripe is that either I'm going to have to fabricate and mount the unit on a bow sprit or cut my bow railing. Like you, I consider my boat practically "unfishable" without a trolling motor since the tides and wind on the Long Island Sound mean the fluke drift can be too fast. Not looking forward to the struggle of wiring to the bow from the console, either...but weight distribution on a 17 foot boat is a significant concern.

[tonygruber]

Good review. I have had a 80 lb thrust, 24 V, 60 inch Terrova for 2 years now on my 19 ft center console - best addition to my boat. I opted for the Terrova over the Ulterrra because I was not sold on the automatic stowing capability - just another thing to go wrong in my opinion. Runs great on my 24 V LBP Lithium battery. But you definitely have to be very mindful of the spot lock when under bridges, it looses satellite connection just like my satellite radio in my car on densely covered tree lined roads. I normally try to keep the center console of my boat (where the satellite puck/antennae is mounted on my boat) on the edge of the bridge to attempt to maintain satellite coverage. 10' or 12' foot steelhead rods make it easier to fish around the pilings for Sheepies. Learned that from you!!

[johnnybueller]

exactly with I went with the terrova... to many problems with the auto store... have had no issues (24v 80lbs 72in). 20 ft proline sport..

[Carnivorefitness]

The reviews alone on the Ulterra were enough for me, I went with the Terrova and it has been awesome so far, been almost a year and I run the piss out of it each trip out.

[scottymagillacutty]

If you already know then never mind but as far as holding your boat by that bridge, go in the settings on the remote and try changing the boat scale. I’ve got a smaller boat with a 80 lb Terrova and I had to set the scale to the lowest setting but you might need to go to plus 1 or plus 2.

[waynevest]

i wish i saw your video 5 yrs ago.Would have saved me a lot of headaches

[mikeknottscreek]

Hey Jesse! Great way to share your experience. Miss your videos but I realize you are a very busy man if you are chartering every other day.

[JJ-gdgf]

Some feedback, I've spot-locked UNDER an Interstate bridge with maybe 10' clearance many times with no problems so there may be some location specific issue with the bridge you showed. I bought a 24V Terrova on 10/28/19 and they have their issues also. The steering module on mine stopped functioning (motor worked, steering didn't) so I replaced it on 3/5/24 to the tune of $238, delivered. I was going to repair my old module and keep it as a spare until I took it apart. The housing was full of corrosion and the drive motor was completely rusted so I tossed it. Now, I rinse my motor off after each trip (along with everything else on my boat) so the failure must have been caused by seals that don't keep the saltwater out.

[brettbuckmaster]

I appreciate the honesty. Looking at getting a minn kota for a 25’ sport cabin evans to use spot lock on the pilings.

[kenfldude]

Agreed, heard lots of complaints about the ulterra. IMO, terrova is the way to go. Currently running a terrova 60” 80lb 24v on a keywest 188br. Plenty of motor for that boat. Previous experience with the same motor was on a 206 roballo caymen. Worked well on that boat as well.

[charleswhite]

I'm using a Terrova Riptide and my power goes on and off, im thinking my control board has gone bad too! Very useful information on the motors. Thanks for the video's.

[paddleandhook]

Thanks for the 411. Im planning to add a saltwater trolling motor this winter/spring. Man they can be pricey!!

[mikejolly]

As an owner of both the ulterra and the Terrova I would recommend buying the Terrova my ulterra has been in the shop twice with a broken belt

[jimmyholmes]

Have you noticed the shaft flexing a lot? I've seen a few videos the shaft look like a rubber band. Makes me nervous to buy one. I fish west coast 30-40 miles out in the ocean for halibut/lingcod. Spot lock seems like such a great addition but watching them flex around in heavy waves and current I'm skeptical great video found an 87" 112 36v with icon charger and 3 icon batteries for 4200 with only a couple hrs on it. It's the manual one. Thinking I may jump on it

[kevinbriggs]

Jesse, my Minn Kota Ulterra is once again at the repair shop. When it works, it works GREAT but I have experienced a few issues.

[MrCliftonLaird]

TERROVA is the way to go for sure. my nephew had the same issue with auto stow