I'm thinking an I-pilot is in my future
 

Did a search and found all the old posts on Ipilot and there doesn't seem to be any negatives so I'm seriously considering the 80# Riptide with the 60" shaft. I have a couple of questions: Concerning the "link" that I see offered that works with Hummingbird (I have a Lowrance, but I understand there is an adaptor for Lowrance), is the only advantage to that is to be able to follow the bottom conture? If so, I don't see much use for that in saltwater unless I might be fishing near channels, but I could see why it might be great in freshwater. Am I missing something?

Can the footpad be added later or must it be purchased at the same time? Lastly, it appears that the motor lowers itself into the water at the push of a button? If that is right, what about the pickup and storage?

You can add the foot pedal later but can't combine it with the ipilot system. One or the other only.
Not sure on the adaptor but I agree for the most part the contour mapping would be more a freshwater thing.

The motor doesn't lower itself into the water. Pickup is obviously the reverse of deployment. The way the riptide series deploy is kinda awkward but you'll get used to it.
It's a great unit but I do recommend buying and extra battery(got mine on amazon). If your remote battery goes out you have no way of controlling the motor.

Also get the quick release plate minnkota makes. When you have roughly 2grand of trolling motor installed you don't want it walking off.

Luckily I had battery die on the remote while home checking my boat for weekend trip. Now I carry spare in boat.
Wish I would have got the quick release mount.

Love mine but didn't pay for the link system.

visited a local TM shop today and viewed the Ipilot. Pretty nifty, but the deployment/pickup seems kind of awkward. First you have to push and push a lever then push the head forward to deploy and gently let it settle down. The pickup is the reverse as Juice Goose says. My problem would be the bending down to push/push the lever then pushing the head forward while bent over. Might be semi-okay if the lever can be pushed/pushed with a foot then push or pull the head to deploy/pickup. In a 2-3 ft. sea, that mite make for an interesting position of one's torso possibly resulting in a dunking.

When stowed, I can definitely see the need for the Ram bracket to keep the head from bouncing up and down. BTW, the dealer indicated that MK is supposed to be developing an electrical deployment/pickup system, but he doesn't expect it for a year or so.

to deploy the Tm, you can use your foot to push FOWARD THEN DOWN to release the motor. It will beep once it unlocks then lift up and lower down into the water

Slight negative is you know longer have the option the HOG front of the boat when the anchor lock feature is on. It will point the bow of the boat into the wind. So you fish where the motor let's wants you too. But over all I love my ipilot

I have not used my real anchor sense I bought my I-pilot. Love it.

Were did you find the information about connecting the I-polit to the lorance? I have an extra lorance that I am thinking about mounting to the front of the boat by the trollong motor and that would be an awesome addition.

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It was in one of the threads that I found when I searched for "Ipilot".

I run the sh#@ out of mine for hours every weekend. I have two batteries and run them pretty much until they die, which is normally my sign that it is time to go in. "Knock on wood" no issues yet and have run into grass, and oysters. I need another prop due to the oyster beds. I think maybe you're under powered. I have the 112 on a 20' tidewater.

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I will ha e to do some research on it again, thanks

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If you want to buy the ram mount feel free to spend your money, but I've been in some rough stuff and on rough roads and the head never has come close to hitting the hull. There is very little flex.

I would agree on the bouncing head. It doesnt move as much as you think. Also the deployment is easy to use with your feet to deploy. I put a rope t handle like a normal trolling motor on the head of mine. It helps n deploying some.
The self deploy would be killer

I have a 21 nautic star and the 80 is plenty. Sure 112 would be nice but a 5th battery on the boat was out of the question.

I have the Motorguide version of the Ipilot and it's designed to work with Lowrance. I love mine and won't have a bay boat without one.

Good info, but TM shop owner claimed that the bouncing head will cause the gears in the steering box to fail. Just saying what he said, I have no reason to doubt what you guys are saying.

Maybe there truth to that i dont know. I didnt want more holes in deck and again the head simply doesnt move

The reason it's somewhat of a pain to deploy is the reason you don't need the RAM mount. I have the 112 on a 22' bay boat and can run it all day. Get one, you won't be sorry.

Sounds pretty nifty, especially the itrack feature.


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I have the trolling motor you are considering, but 54" shaft for $1000. Foot control and quick release mount.

OP here, getting itchy and thinking of going for it. Only question: do I need/want/should have the foot pad or is the remote adequate?

Forgot to ask one more question: will my quick release mount that I have on my present 3X Riptide work for the IPilot?

It won't.

remote. once you get use to it, its all good

The remote is easy to get used to. Make sure you have extra batteries for it or you will have a bad trip.

I would think it would be worse with the ram. It just bounces right now freely with the ram you will get the jolt from the deck. I dunno just thinking. I've been in rough stuff with mine and it didn't move around too bad.

hope you're right cuz.........
 

I'm planning on ordering it without the ram mount. We'll see how it does. Best source I've found is Amazon and Rothwell Marine in Ark. for $1,475 with free shipping and no taxes. Anyone have a better source? Also gonna get the quick mount, looks like that's about $80. Looks like I'm gonna have a 24V, 74 lb. Riptide 3X for sale once this one comes in if anyone is interested. Just listed it on La. Sportsman for $200 obo with the quick mount disconnect. About 6 yrs. old and works fine.

I ordered my motorguide from Cabelas and Amazon. Both where on back order. Ended up getting it from Bass Pro for an excellent price. Cheaper than the other two plus received a rebate for $100

Well, finally bit the bullet today and ordered the Ipilot from Rothwell Marine. Best price I could find, he even beat Amazon and no taxes or shipping. Also ordered the quick disconnect mount. Sold the old TM this evening so awaiting my newest gadget. Thanks to all for your advice.

You'll love it. I promise you that you will find that you really only remember to use the following modes
1. Anchor lock
2. Rabbit mode(kick it quickly up to 10)
3. Advanced autopilot mode


Don't forget though that it can save routes and spots. I've tested the route feature and it is bad arse I just always forget to use it.

How did you order with Rothwell? Online or phone?

I felt the same way no ram for me either. Now you can put a bungee cord around the shaft and hook it to your cleat. I also though about going that route too.

email mostly until time to pay. the pilot is not on their website.

WOW!
 

Tried it out yesterday. Wow! I'm hooked even tho the bolt holding the head onto the shaft was missing. Found this out when I tried to lower it out into the water and the head came off in my hands. Recovered nicely by just grabbing the shaft after that. Still WOW! I'm gonna love this thing! Called MK Tech Support and they are overnighting the missing bolt to me. Not a biggie as far as I am concerned. Love the Spot Lock and the track back feature.

BTW, decided to get the Ram Mount anyway. With the rubber balls on the ram mount and the fact that I mounted the Ram at an angle, I think there is plenty play to help absorb any blows from wave pounding. And, if I forget to tighten down the collar, the Ram Mount will keep the MK from deploying and ruining my day. Thanks to all for their advice.

For those who believe the ram mount isn't necessary. I had my I pilot for over two years without it and never had a problem. Then about 4 weeks ago I hit some bad weather just outside of southwest pass and the trolling motor somehow deployed on its own and never stopped until it disappeared completely. It all happened in about three seconds my my $2,000 I pilot was gone! I contemplated jumping in after it but I was alone in 3-4ft seas, I'm no fool! Haha. Needless to say, I purchased a new Ipilot and also a ram mount!

Also, when trailering or cruising make sure to keep the black clamp adjusted all the way down and you might not share the fate I did.

Wow, sorry to hear that. I have the ram mount installed but don't use it throughout the day when fishing in calm weather. I WILL NOW!

yep same thing happen to me. my new boat wasn't even a month old yet! If that clamp is all the way down IT WILL DEPLOY! I crossed a invisible wake from a boat in slick calm waters going 40-45 mph. In my case, Minnkota paid for my new ipilot.

Guys, anyone looking to purchase any kind of trolling motor should call Keith or Nelson at Superior trolling motors in Lafayette. Get a quote from them before buying one from anywhere online. And the best thing about them is their outstanding customer service. I have been dealing with them for a few years now and when I purchased my new Ipilot they beat everyone hands down, even cheaper than eBay, Amazon etc...

X2 they are good people to deal with. There is damn near zero money to be made in a new trolling motor. I don't see how they do it. Guess they make it with repairs.

As of late I've been having wicked trouble with the remote just turning off. It'll flash then just turn off and literally have to crazily hit buttons to make it come back on.

call minn kota

Seen the same issue the battery is not making contact when that happens

If you don't have the right battery it will do that. I cant remember the exact numbers but the correct ones are thicker and there is a letter at the beginning and at the end.

Im still on the original battery.