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Wizard.
Mike, You wont be able to get the mount off more than likely without getting to the bolts thru the little window. Yes they will fall off and end up in the bilge over time most likely. Here are a couple of tricks. Tape or wire 2 wrenches together or tape/wire one wrench to a think paint stick stir. That will help you get to them…the other thing that will help is put tape over the closed end section with a small hole in it for the bolt to go thru but not big enough for the nut to get thru. That will help you keep track of them and even when it comes to the reinstall. The Fortrex holes will line up…if what I read about them having the same mounting as the old Maxxums. Good luck. Judd Lasiter
Thanks Judd, Ill give it a shot if I can find a new one this week. Ive got a Fed tournament on the 6th. Mike
I had one doing that and it turned out to be a bad breaker. I would trip and reset, eventually it wouldnt reset.
Try some petroleum jelly on the wires ends and terminals. That reduces corrosion issues and really helps in salt water which you are in now. Salt Water is a really nasty environment! It eats into the ends on connectors. Which is why we stuff the bullets in the pump and component connections with petroleum jelly. Though we probably did not do the wire ends. That is one we overlooked. We are looking at tinned wire on all product in the future. The benefit to salt water is some, though fresh water is minimal. Though the cost again is a point of contention as that will increase and we dont have the volume to only do salt water boats in tinned wire. The breakers are notorious for failing. You can shrink bag and stuff the breaker to prevent salt water intrusion which will help. You need a 50 amp breaker on the troller also. BCB
I have fished with a motorguide since the 1970s. The first had only 17 lb. of thrust. Today, I have a bad back and the motorguide is almost too much for me to deploy and store. I have thought of the new Minnkota trollers which assist the process. I have also wondered if anyone used the trollers which electrically deploy and store. Are they worth using on a Puma? I use the 100+ lb troller from Motorguide today.
42-45″ is pretty norm. Just depends on which tm you choose.96 Eyra/12 Mercury 175 Pro XS with 2015 single axle trailer2017 Victory Gunner
I just put one on my Jaguar. Got the 60″ shaft. It does mount more forward the the tour. It is very close to the dancing pole. Only have about one inch clearance. It does have a quick release mount so I can set it back on the deck when traveling with the cover.
Dr Jag,Thanks for the info. I crappie fish a lot and I think it will be great for that, but would like to know how it handles shallow water bass fishing. How are you liking your unit? Is the 60″ shaft a good fit for your boat?
Got a Terrova on a P4. Sliding plate mount but thinking mostly needed if you are on a steep ramp. I forgot to slide it to the more inboard position Saturday for the first time but it loaded fine. I only know one ramp I have used in the past that I think might hit the roller if I launched at low tide here in FL. Of course the plate can slide all the way inboard or even off completely if needed temporarily for such a situation. Sliding inward also lets me walk around the front of it in my garage more easily. Im probably going to get a hand controller on another plate to have as an option, but the spot lock changed my open water fishing BIGTIME. Also nice in current on a river when Im dealing with culling fish or just need to retie. Not home or would measure but think I have a 55″ and it rarely comes out of the water unless Im down in cockpit area solo with spot lock on and Okeechobee rollers are coming in. I also like the autopilot mode for steadily moving down a relatively smooth grass line edge or bank without having to stand one footed.
I am really liking it so far. Originally thought the 60″ shaft was too long, but after this past weekend on Toledo, I think it is just fine. It never came out of the water while fishing deep in big waves and with the trim button was able to go very shallow up in the grass. I would have to hold the motor up with the pull cord with running the foot control and holding a rod to go that shallow with the old motor. With this one, just trim it as high as you need and go in there. In light winds, the spot lock is great. In higher winds, it will move around a little more and more briskly. Just fishing a point or ledge, thats no big deal. If jigging a brush pile, it may move a little more than you like in a heavy wind. Real shallow, I just use the power poles.
Thanks for the replies!! If I do get one, I would go with a slider plate mount. I have been wanting one for some time, but just afraid to pull the trigger. I love the idea of spot lock to stay on bush piles or just hold postion while im busy in the boat. I hoped that the latest GPS units would hold pretty tight to the spot. But maybe not. Bigkahuna, Dr Jag, do you guys bass fish with your units much. I tend to beat the banks alot and just wonder about manuverablility with the Ulterra. I may see if I could have my MK Fortex mounted on a slider plate as well? Then I could switch out if needed. Thanks, Bobby
Bass fishing is all I do. I ordered my boat with the pedal well insert and added the pedal control to the Terrova. It doesnt turn as fast as a cable would but I havent found it to be an issue. Besides, if current or wind blows you into some low hanging trees all you have to do is grab the remote and maneuver out. Make sure you call MK and ask for the exact plate mount as I was trying to help someone on here a while back describing my Terrova setup but MK advised him to use a different plate for the Ulterra for some reason. I think his was going on a Jag. They will email you a helpful .pdf illustrating which holes to use, etc. Heres a couple of pics of my setup..
Have you tried an “Equalizer Trolling Motor Lift Assist” device. Its like a piston that mounts on the trolling motor bracket to reduce the effort to stow and I think deploy the Trolling Motor. They sell it on here for $100. I dont have one but a friend with a bad back does and said it helped him a lot. Ive never used it so I cant tell you from first hand experience.
Buy a fortex and never look back. I work with my hands all day and was having an issue with my elbow. After I replaced the tour with a fortrex my elbow has never felt better.
As mentioned above, you have two choices. You can keep the MG and add the Equalizer, or, if getting a new troller, get a MK with the lift assist. Either way it will be a huge difference for you. Personally, I would stay away from any troller that electrically stows and deploys (like the Ulterra), because to me, it is just something else that can break.
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