Nov 14-15 North Fishing Report

[Chris H]

I had an Ulterra for several years. It was really fantastic to depoly/stow from anywhere in the boat. I especially loved the ability to raise/lower the motor with ease depending on the water level. It saved my butt many times in very shallow water and it always saved my back when it stowed, note that is. when it stowed. Which is to say, it was just not reliable. I switched to a Terrova, which was reliable, but to hard for me to deploy and stow. I now have a Garmin Force, which is easy for a senior to deploy and stow and it is extremely reliable, quiet, and incredibly powerful. Perhaps the new Quest version of the Ulterra will solve all of the reliability issues and achieve what really was meant to be a breakthrough innovation.

I agree with everything you have said. I knew the Ulterra had more reliability issues which I suppose is to be expected when you make something more complicated. It has worked great for 3 years. I'll have the guy Windsor fix it this time and we will see (I checked all the prox switches and connections and don't see anything easy to repair). I have never seen the Garmin Force so will do some research on that in case the time comes. Thanks for that information. I do need something that is easy to get in and out of the water since my wife likes to help (and I'm not getting younger). She could not lift my older Minn Kota. You don't realize how much you rely on something till it is gone.

 

[viking842000]

Can you expound just a bit on the Verizon service being available? If that aspect is true and if it’s good enough I’ll go switch from AT&T today! Good at just the camp area? Out and about in that area etc? Thank you

Preston

I get reception in many spots on the lake when all others do not. I also have Verizon. I get reception in Good Hope, Back of Hall's and Lake Canyon when no one else does.

 

[GregS]

I agree with everything you have said. I knew the Ulterra had more reliability issues which I suppose is to be expected when you make something more complicated. It has worked great for 3 years. I'll have the guy Windsor fix it this time and we will see (I checked all the prox switches and connections and don't see anything easy to repair). I have never seen the Garmin Force so will do some research on that in case the time comes. Thanks for that information. I do need something that is easy to get in and out of the water since my wife likes to help (and I'm not getting younger). She could not lift my older Minn Kota. You don't realize how much you rely on something till it is gone.

Christy will get your Ulterra taken care of. He sees mine about every 3-4 years and when I get it back it runs perfectly fine for another 3-4 years. lol

 

[sixwithstixs]

Great Report. I switch out from the Ulterra to the new Garmin Kraken. To many issues with my Ulterra. I had to install a powerpole charge system for when the batteries died on me so I could at least get it out of the water. Honestly the Minnkota terrova is a way better trolling motor that has very little problems and seems to be an excellent option for those that want to stay in the Minnkota line. I had my Ulterra linked to my Humminbird Apex graphs. so it was nice to deploy from the screen how ever I have also made the switch to Garmin Map series 8616xsv and two 1243xsv units for next year. So we will see how it all goes. I was running my 8616xsv for my Livescope LVS34 anyways so I know I am gonna like the fact that I will no longer have two screens up front and. just the one 16 inch screen now. But it will interesting cause I was running a 16 inch Apex at the helm and now I am going to two 12 inch 1243xsv units at the helm. Lower profile but wider over all.

 

[Chris H]

Great Report. I switch out from the Ulterra to the new Garmin Kraken. To many issues with my Ulterra. I had to install a powerpole charge system for when the batteries died on me so I could at least get it out of the water. Honestly the Minnkota terrova is a way better trolling motor that has very little problems and seems to be an excellent option for those that want to stay in the Minnkota line. I had my Ulterra linked to my Humminbird Apex graphs. so it was nice to deploy from the screen how ever I have also made the switch to Garmin Map series 8616xsv and two 1243xsv units for next year. So we will see how it all goes. I was running my 8616xsv for my Livescope LVS34 anyways so I know I am gonna like the fact that I will no longer have two screens up front and. just the one 16 inch screen now. But it will interesting cause I was running a 16 inch Apex at the helm and now I am going to two 12 inch 1243xsv units at the helm. Lower profile but wider over all.

Sounds like you have a great setup. I will keep evaluating options but just getting my Ulterra fixed for now. Thanks for all the info.