makomark Posted January 29, 2021 Report Share Posted January 29, 2021 I'm looking to re-do my older trolling motor set-up on my 2006 MA 18.5. I am thinking of the 60" Minn Kota Ulterra 24V. I'm thinking the auto deploy is the way to go. Can anyone give me advice on this or any others to consider, is the best set-up, and what batteries are recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted January 29, 2021 Report Share Posted January 29, 2021 I have seen more negative discussion on the auto deploy than positive. That probably is due to the fact that more people take to the internet to complain than to comment on how happy they are with there products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted January 29, 2021 Report Share Posted January 29, 2021 First of all, a 2006 18.6 MA is a unicorn, so you aren't getting ANY advice till you post some pics of her so we can . . . er . . . know for sure she exists. I mean, who wants to give advice about a boat that isn't even real? And if she IS real, some of us would like to drool over her. On a (somewhat) more serious note, agree w/ HoneyB - I've seen more guys switch FROM the Ulterra than TO the Ulterra. There are a lot of great advantages with it, I can't tell you the number of times I've finished fishing a spot, gotten behind the console, and realized I forgot to stow the motor. yes, it's only 10 feet away, but still aggravating. Would be nice to hit a button. Also, really useful when you are on the back platform sighting fish and using the TM to ease along, to be able to raise it and lower it with the terrain. On the other hand, you are getting a few "nice to haves" at the cost of inevitable problems. It WILL break, its just a matter of when. My Ipilot will break too, but there is at least a little less. I toyed with getting one on my boat, but about the time I was going to pull the trigger, my buddy switched from his Ulterra to the Terrarova. That was enough to change my mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenbone Posted January 29, 2021 Report Share Posted January 29, 2021 As you can see, I have Terrarova 48” on my ‘93MA18.5. A 60” will fit perfectly just clearing the fuel filler . Yes ,the Ulterra would be a great convenience and I think most of the old issues have been worked out. I do use two group 27 wet cell batteries . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makomark Posted January 29, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2021 1 hour ago, whichwaysup said: First of all, a 2006 18.6 MA is a unicorn, so you aren't getting ANY advice till you post some pics of her so we can . . . er . . . know for sure she exists. I mean, who wants to give advice about a boat that isn't even real? And if she IS real, some of us would like to drool over her. On a (somewhat) more serious note, agree w/ HoneyB - I've seen more guys switch FROM the Ulterra than TO the Ulterra. There are a lot of great advantages with it, I can't tell you the number of times I've finished fishing a spot, gotten behind the console, and realized I forgot to stow the motor. yes, it's only 10 feet away, but still aggravating. Would be nice to hit a button. Also, really useful when you are on the back platform sighting fish and using the TM to ease along, to be able to raise it and lower it with the terrain. On the other hand, you are getting a few "nice to haves" at the cost of inevitable problems. It WILL break, its just a matter of when. My Ipilot will break too, but there is at least a little less. I toyed with getting one on my boat, but about the time I was going to pull the trigger, my buddy switched from his Ulterra to the Terrarova. That was enough to change my mind. I promise to post a better photo of it, but then again I don’t have many pics of my kids either. Although I am including a beautiful photo of my wife to make up for it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted January 29, 2021 Report Share Posted January 29, 2021 Dang, now I don't know if I covet your wife or your boat more. LOL Yeah, make sure you lock that garage when you aren't around, will you? And don't post your address . . . That's a pretty boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted January 31, 2021 Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 On 1/29/2021 at 12:55 PM, greenbone said: Yes ,the Ulterra would be a great convenience and I think most of the old issues have been worked out. I do use two group 27 wet cell batteries . I have the Gen 2 or 3 - can't remember...but, I have not had any problems with mine. There are some recommendations which I have read about... 1.) Do not put excessive pressure on the extension, meaning, do not run your motor and trolling motor at the same time...it could bend the shaft 2.) Keep your trolling batteries well charged 3.) I keep it well flushed and cleaned after each trip... I also use series 27's - run all day - I charge them within 1 day of my last trip and then keep them topped off the night prior to my trips. DC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wthree3 Posted January 31, 2021 Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 I have a 2005 18.5 with a terrova. I believe the ulterra base is wider than the terrova. I'm not sure I could fit a ulterra on the bow and still have use of the front cleat. Just something to consider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makomark Posted May 31, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2021 I ended up getting the Motor Guide xi5 and are pretty happy with it. Spot lock works perfect. I’m thinking of pairing it with my lowrance by running a NMEA cable from the trolling motor to the lowrance head unit. Question I have is their a way of running it through the anchor locker back through the transom or is this blocked off? Any other suggestions on how to route it would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Dave Posted May 31, 2021 Report Share Posted May 31, 2021 Personal opinion of course, but that's what you asked for! I would get the Terrova instead of the Ulterra. Too many issues with the Ulterra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wthree3 Posted June 1, 2021 Report Share Posted June 1, 2021 Makomark, I have a 2005 18 Master Angler and have run cables from the anchor locker to the console and to the transom area. Easiest method that I have found is to start at the console and feed a fish tape forward over the tank or rearward through the cable tube toward the transom. Suggest starting at the console even when running the entire length of the boat. Feed one end of the wire forward and the other end rearward. Otherwise, very tough to get a tape up and over the tank if pushing it from one end or the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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