auto pilot vs bow mounted electric

[Pale Rider 1]

I have a 19 foot lund pro v with 9.9 kicker and 24 volt terrova on the bow. I set the kicker for the boat to run straight and use the terrova for steering. Just set the boat on the line you want to run and set the terrova on autopilot, it will hold a straight line. The best feature is recording the line you are on and if you want to fish back the same line hit the track button and the terrova will take you back that track without touching the remote. I have group 31 batteries and with the speed setting at 3 or 4 have never  had a problem with loss of battery power.

[VooDoo]

I am running a motorguide xi 5. 36 volt system. Merc 9.9 kicker on a 19' deep vee. In most situations I can get well over 8 hrs on a heading lock. It can interface with sonar. Up to 3 footers it does great although you do have to put more power to it when its rough. Over 3' waves and I dont want to be out there anyway. I would recommend 36 volt over 24 just for battery longevity.

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[scobar]

the 36 volt system is better, I agree however I don't want the 3rd battery in the open some place. That is why I'm leaning 24v. 

[BottomDollar]

[TechHead]

The year before I bought my set up I went on a charter that was using a Motor Guide and Lowrance setup. I made sure I asked all kinds of questions about his setup and how it worked. His set up was a 22'6" Ranger Glass deep V with a 105 Xi5 36v and networked Gen 2 Touch Lowrance. His boat probably weighs twice my boat. We fished 8 hrs in 18" to 30" waves no problems. He did everything through the Lowrance unit. I can't remember him using the remote but he had one.

Look at it as a complete system. Lowrance, Simrad, Motor Guide or Hummingbird, Minnkota. Mix them and the motors won't be able to communicate with the fish finders and you loose probably most of the reasons for buying it in the first place. I alread owned a Lowrance HDS and a Minnkota PD 55 so replaced the Minnkota with a Motor Guide 80 and went that route. If you like Lowrance or Simrad fish finders go Motor Guide. Hummingbird go Minnkota. If your a Garmin or Raymarine fan sorry your out of luck.

What voltage and which size group of batteries? I went from a 55 12v to a 80 24v because the higher the voltage the more efficent the setup is, I also would have had to go to 2 batteries for the 12v system so I would have the capacity to fish for 6 to 8hrs without killing the batteries. If your thinking 24 or 36 you will need 2 larger batteries or 3 smaller size group of batteries. I have about 150 amp hours of reserve power total in my 2 batteries, your boat is 2' longer and probably 2' wider. Your going to need more reserve power than I do. The 80 will move your boat unless it's a heavy glass boat. I never use over 50% trolling you would use more but not that much more. Say you need 35% more reserve power, this is a subjective number I chose you may need more or less but think it is a realistic expectation. That means you would need apx 200 amp hrs total or 2 -  100 amp hr batteries. If you had a 36v system you need the same 200 amp hr in 3 batteries of 67 amp hrs. What fits best in your boat 2 big batteries or 3 smaller batteries.

 

[scobar]

3 hours ago, BottomDollar said:

 

I like that to assist in sterring 

[VooDoo]

I put 2 of my batteries in one side hatch in the bow and the 3rd battery in a smaller hatch in the front. They do not have to be all together. It's fairly easy to just run a wire to the 3rd battery. I'm running 2 Caterpillar 1000 amp batteries, had 3 but one went bad, replaced it with a marine 29 size. Plenty of power and longevity. 105 foot power thrust

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[VooDoo]

Also have a 3 bank onboard charger. I consider this a must. Be a real pain removing batteries or trying to connect them to an external charger.

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[scobar]

A ton of good feed back on this.

So now the question is Motor guide w Lowrance or Hmminbird with Minn kota. I have Lowrance now but am willing to switch to a H-bird. From what I can see so far the Min Kota is a bit better.

 

Again welcome the replies

Scott

still looking at 24 or 36 as well

[VooDoo]

I have had zero problems with my motorguide,  Alot of people don't realize they are a division of Mercury Marine.  I suppose you can get a good one or bad one with either just like car brands.

[scobar]

I have always had Lowrance and no problems so far (5 units) so the Motor guide is high on my list. I just see reviews that the MinnKota  has a few more functions, as I do fish more that just trolling