Minnkota Ulterra sucks

[agelesssone]

The auto deploying Minnkota Ulterra trolling motor sucks in cold weather!
Out yesterday (18 degrees) and tried to deploy my trolling motor. It wouldn't deploy because the shaft was frozen in the motor housing. Tried every kind of movement I could (with it being stowed) and couldn't get it down.
So I spent an hour last night (outside,16 degrees) changing out TM's and transducers.
Lucky I had another TM to swap out, otherwise I'd be without a TM until warm weather hits.
I guess I'll leave the Terrova on until spring!

[Alphahawk]

Hate to hear that...I know the feeling....a spare motor may be in my future. I got mine back last week. Do not have it on yet...I sure hope it is fixed. They changed out 6 components....to include the main board.


Regards

[eksfish]

I am considering upgrading my 2007 Terrova 80 to an Ulterra 80. Both the Ulterra and Terrova have had some modifications in 2017.
The both are supposed to have better GPS abilities. The 2017 Terrova is supposed to be a easier to deploy.
I like the auto deployment of the Ulterra on my 19 ft deep V, but it seems they have a lot of issues. Has anyone seen the new Terrova? Curious if they made the deployment and stow easier?

[Headhunter]

I basically do not fish in cold weather, especially below 40 degrees and for sure not below freezing. So I do not know much about it, but in the weather we have had the last couple days, especially when it is below 20 degrees and close to single digits, I don't care what trolling motor you have, IMO when it hits air it is going to freeze up in some respect. I know of one guy who said he spent a good bit of time splashing water on his manual trolling motor because it froze "down". Said he like to have never got it back up.

[TNBronzeback]

no doubt the cold weather will affect any wet piece of equipment once it is removed from the water into the cold air.
I just dont think the auto stow/deploy is a reliable technology. Too many moving parts that are exposed to freeze, heat, bounce, ect that everybody from pro's to weekend warriors subject them too.
I love the idea behind it, i just dont think it will ever fully take off if they cannot make the whole system beefier without jacking the price up another $500 +.
Perhaps they should engineer a complete manual over-ride for issues like ice-ups and mechanical failure where you can totally bypass the auto feature and still use the motor with 100% normal function. Or is that currently in the works?

[CreekWalker]

My Terrova froze on Saturday duck hunting. I had it down once and it wouldn't go back down again after wet. Then, my water pump froze. I thought I was going to have to choose which of the two I was going to have to piss on to make it back. Thankfully my water pump thawed back out.