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Circle-Hook
Posts: 503 Officer
Trolling motor "anchor" or spot lock
Circle-Hook
Posts: 503 Officer
Which ones you like? Which are simple (like me)? Boat is 23' Mako CC - 2400 lbs dry weight. Anybody got a used one for sale?
Replies
My old Maverick is only a 17' poling skiff - my last troller was only a 12volt model - and that was more than 15 years ago. If and when I go back to using them (instead of just poling all day long, the way I have for years...) I'll add the two batteries and go with 24volts....
If you do it right - you'll also be needing an on-board charging system as well... I'll be using a pro if I ever go that route since it's a bit beyond my simple wiring skills (and on-board chargers need to be working just right since otherwise they're a fire hazard....). I know of two skiffs that were burned to the ground because of older, malfunctioning charging systems a few years back... My skiff is garage kept so having a properly functioning unit is pretty important...
Bob LeMay
(954) 435-5666
super nice as one gets up in age.That jumping up and down
from front platform,the legs and knees could no longer take
that abuse.
Also the new SpotLock is dead on,no more
wandering around in 10ft.radius.
Based on my experience I would definitely suggest the 36V version for adequate thrust on your boat.
Before buying I visited with a long time local trolling motor repair guy and he felt like that was the best choice but one thing he did tell me was not to buy the Ulterra which has the auto stow/deploy as it tends to have far more failures than the simpler Terrovas.
I don’t have much experience with the modern Motor Guides.
Hope this is helpful for you.
I have a 2017 24V Minn Kota Riptide Terrova on my flats boat and could not be happier with it, stow and deploy is a real plus and Spot-Lock holds steady.
Based on my experience I would definitely suggest the 36V version for adequate thrust on your boat.
Before buying I visited with a long time local trolling motor repair guy and he felt like that was the best choice but one thing he did tell me was not to buy the Ulterra which has the auto stow/deploy as it tends to have far more failures than the simpler Terrovas.
Note the auto deploy issues I mentioned were concerning 2016 and early 2017 models and the problem may have since been resolved, 10kman has first hand experience with them and his point about us older folks is certainly valid.
I don’t have much experience with the modern Motor Guides.
Hope this is helpful for you.
Just a rookie here and guess you can’t just edit.........
Bob LeMay
(954) 435-5666
After a lot of though i went with a RHODAN for the anchor mode. It it works as advertised as we look for a show or ledge then hit the FOB anchor mode, momentum of boat takes us past the coordinates that we locket onto. We shut the main motor off The RHODAN will circle around facing into waves or current which ever is strongest, it will hold us there dead on. We can change position in 5FT. increments. This all works great in 2 to 4 ft. seas if there is not a short period between white capeing waves. I have at their recommendation 24 volt system and two group 27 batteries. So far it has been good. Deploy and retrieve would have been nice ,I needed the longer shaft and they have up to a 84 inch at RHODAN check out UTUBE they have one on a 34 ft cat.
At least that's how I was able to get them to work well on the various bayboats I was running at the time...
Bob LeMay
(954) 435-5666
Rhodan is a simple design that I believe is better built than the “big two”. It is manual deploy so you don’t have to worry about a mechanical breakdown with that. They are made in Florida so you are helping your state economy. I highly recommend calling and chatting with them. Their spot lock is so simple - one touch of a button. If you want to jog forward, back, right or left while locked on a spot, that is one quick press of a button to move you 3’.
I like to poll around when I have another person on my skiff but I have not found a way to effectively fish by myself when polling. I tried to be a purist of having an uncluttered small flats boat, but I was just wasting too much water time by not being able to fish effectively. I’ve had one on my flats boat for two years (24 volt) and I am completely satisfied with it. Look into the details of Rhodan’s electronics and mechanical construction and you will not find a more heavy duty unit.
If you are not going to use it for a while and you don’t have your batteries on a charger, unplug the unit because it does draw a small current at all times. I ran my power cable through the deck and installed a threaded marine thru-hull fitting very similar to a fuel fill cap. I bought a tapered rubber stopper and drilled a hole in the center of it, ran the power cable through the hole and set the stopper in the thru-hull when I have the cable routed to the power source for a water tight seal.
Instead of unplugging my trolling motor I installed a battery switch to disconnect the batteries, and I disconnect
while charging.
Bob LeMay
(954) 435-5666
I'll never not have a trolling motor without spot lock again.
These fish were caught the past 2 trips, 10-12 miles out, using spot lock.
Used to have the older MK first gen SpotLock trolling motor on a Key West Bayreef 19 footer and it worked good, but had that "10 foot" radius issue which was annoying, but it was a solid performing unit and I liked the incremental movement buttons.
Now have an Xi5 MG on a Key West 1720. Quiet, powerful, the GPS spot lock works great and really keeps you on spot. However, I had an issue with the motor recently - one of the bolts that keeps the main head onto the unit must have corroded or snapped which allowed salt water into the entire unit. Luckily I was able to replace the bolts, O-rings (the main one was toast) and using a lot of Corrosion X was able to clean up and take care of the stator, magnets, etc. and it is now working like new again. I highly recommend everyone to do a yearly inspection, maintenance/lube on these units and replace O-rings - cheap insurance.
If I had to do it all over again I'd have saved the money up for a Rhodan - I hear nothing but great things about them, they are the most powerful and well-designed units on the market, and their customer service is second to none.