Looking At Buying A Minn Kota for my 429 Outlaw Need Advice

[MatthewRussell]

Hey fishos,

I have recently purchased a new 4.4m Stacer 429-Outlaw with a 50hp Honda 4S, i'm looking at fitting a Minn-Kota riptide i-Pilot on the bow plate. I have the new Helix-5 Hummingbird DI-GPS unit for connectivity. I will mainly need it for dams and creeks but also for reef work when the weather permits.

Any info regarding thrust size and cost would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

[sowden1942]

Hi Matt. I have a 55 i-pilot on a 4.5 brooker and it is fantastic for both river and open water holding instead of an anchor. John

[MatthewRussell]

Thanks John, is that 12v or 24v?

[Seahorse]

Matt
i just put the ipilot 55 on my 420 quinny.
The best thing I have ever bought for the boat.

i use it every time i go out. Never use the anchor, just lock the min kota, and boats just stays in the one spot.
I got the remote and foot pedal and use both.

Even for me its easy. I havnt got right into it yet with tracks etc.

I put a big battery up the front under the floor in one of the hatches. I usually do 2/3 trips then give it a bit of a charge. I think i could do more.

i shopped everywhere and got best deal at northside marine.

Very easy to fit.

cheers
greg

[MatthewRussell]

Cheers for the input greg much appreciated, sounds like the i-55 is a good unit for our sized boats.

Thanks
Matt

[Fillet`n`Release]

I bought a Riptide RT80ST iPilot 24v about a year ago, and it's the BEST investment ever. I have a slightly bigger boat, a 5.3 Quintrex Freedomsport bowrider. Haven't used an anchor since I got the Minn Kota. Simply spot lock the second you want to hang around somewhere silently without the noise and effort of an anchor. Setup tracks, run compass points, even in a few knots of current and wind. Just don't know how I ever lived without one. Hope you get as much joy as I have out of mine ! :)

Bought mine from Keogh's Marine down at Labrador, back then they were the best price in Brisbane. Can't say if they still are but definitely shop around and get a few quotes cause there are some big margins in some shops.

[MatthewRussell]

Thanks a heap F'nR the 24v sounds like it has good holding power. In 2 minds now as my boat is 1m smaller just wondering if it would be overkill or not…

If there is such a thing, LOL.

[Seahorse]

Mate mine is a 4.2m and definately not an overkill

[scottar]

Provided the boat doesn't have any large areas of spray curtains a 55 should be fine. I had one on a 4.5 with a 9 inch curtain that went around almost the entire boat that acted like a sail and it was just ok in any sort of heavy breeze. It held ok in the Boyne during the Awoonga overflow but was running at about 80%. The rest of the time it had more than enough grunt. The 24 volt unit will obviously be better but the hassle of the extra space that is taken up and the weight of the second battery up front may be a bit of a pain.

[rayken1938]

Just be aware of the extra weight and space involved with a 24v motor. At least an extra 30kg depending on what size battery you choose. If you go the 24v road you will also not be able to top up your batteries from your motor without getting a specialists to wire them up.
You will also have to decide between getting a 24v charger or charging each battery individually.
No matter which motor you choose get a good multicharge charger with a decent charging capacity. You need a charger with a output of at least 10% of your battery capacity to allow overnight charging after a day on the water.
Nothing destroys a battery more than leaving it stand in a discharged state for long periods. Also do not discharge till completely flat. 11.8 volts is absolute minimum.
Cheers
Ray

[MatthewRussell]

Sorry bout that Seahorse i read it wrong my bad mate. Thanks again.

No spray curtains on board at this stage the most ill be adding after this is a bimini but thats about it. Thats 1 off my concerns also Scottar is the extra weight the 24v will take up, the boat came with a forward battery box & tie down strap.

Does the i55 need its own battery?

What sort of weight difference is there between the 12v & 24v?

[MatthewRussell]

Thanks Ray, thats great advice i need to take into consideration. I have a C-Tek charger at home and keep my main on charge before any day or night out on the water. I will have to sort out exactly what will work for me i suppose, just don't want to under do it and not have the desired affect or holding power on those trips outside.

Thanks mate
Matty

[scottar]

You are better off running any electric off it's own battery so that if you have done a heap of running and flattened it, you can still start your main(if it is electric start) or use your other accessories - lights, sounder,etc. You can set up to charge the electric battery via a manual switch, a solenoid or a fully automated vsr if the system is 12 volt. The weight difference is essentially the weight of the second battery - using 100 amp AGM's - about 30kg. As rayken has added above, 24 volt also introduces the need for a 24 volt charger or separating the batteries to charge and make charging from the outboard more expensive/complex. Personally, I don't think 24 volt/80 pound is required for your size vessel unless you make a habit of fishing areas with extreme amounts of current.

[MatthewRussell]

Hey Guys,
Thanks for your informative input you've helped steer me in the direction of the 12v.
after doing a bit of research online can someone please tell me the difference between these
http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/Minn-Kota-i-Pilot-Electric-Motor-RT55ST-54-.aspx?pid=340154#Recommendations

and
http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/Minn-Kota-Electric-Motor-Sp-I-Pilot-55.aspx?pid=323981#Recommendations

i'm assuming one is the foot pedal and the other the remote control?

[robcam]

Matt, the 12v 55 is the right size for your boat.They have a 48" and a 54" shaft length. You need the 54".

[MatthewRussell]

Awesome thanks for that Robcam wasn't sure.
Cheers mate
Matty


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[rayken1938]

The cheaper one is a riptide and the more expensive is a terova.
The trerova has a better deploy system and a stronger shaft plus the ability to upgrade to a link at a later date( Uncertain if you can do this with a riptide)
Footpedal is an optional extra $269 for a corded one uncertain of price on a wireless one.
Another thing to consider is what length shaft you need if you are going to be using it in a chop iy you only get a 54 inch shaft it may cavitate in a swell but the longer shaft takes up more room when it is stowed and you are traveling so you will have to be careful where you mount it.
Cheers
Ray

[Peter4]

And whatever you do, don't buy from BCF! There are much better deals elsewhere...

[MatthewRussell]

Cheers Rayken what's the link upgrade do? Thanks Peter we will be shopping around for the best deal just getting an idea on differences, cheers again mate.


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[rayken1938]

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Support/FAQs/FAQ-Details/What-about-shaft-length-selection-/
Have a read of above i think that the longer shaft only comes with st models.
Also pays to shop around.If you are on northside of brisbane glen at northside marine is very competitive.
Cheers
Ray

[rayken1938]

Details for link below the screen in the remote is larger than standard i pilot and has rechargeable battery and the whole unit interacts with a compatable humminbird sounder and its saved waypoints.Probable not worth the extra money if you do not have a suitable sounder but if you like the idea get it new instead of upgrading later as the upgrade as an retrofit kit is worth over 1400.
Below is from CH SMith site.
i-Pilot Link for Saltwater links your Minn Kota Trolling motor and Humminbird Fishfinder. Allowing fully automatic Boat control, along with storing and revisiting your favourite spots and tracks. The system is controllable from either the fishfinder or the full-colour screen remote. This all combines to allow you to spend less time positioning your boat more time actually catching Fish.

Can be retrofitted to existing Ipilot SP & ST series
i-pilot link is compatible with most Ethernet-enabled Humminbird units. Compatibility Sheet.
Spot Lock - Store upto 16 Spot Lock positions on the colour Remote Control and 2500 on a compatible Hummingbird display
I Track - store upto 16 I Tracks on the colour remote control and 50 on a compatible Hummingbird display. Maximum Track Length 2 miles with updates every 20 feet.
Autopilot can be enabled from remote control or compatible Hummingbird display.
Any stored Waypoint in Humminbird can be used as a got to location. Once waypint is reached 3 options - Spot Lock, Autopilot, Prop off
Note: Follow Contour is not available in Austalia as this feature is for Lakemaster Charts only. To follow contours on Navionics charts, record a track over the contour Line.

[MatthewRussell]

Awesome I've got the new Helix 5 DI-GPS unit, the bigger screen and option to control from your GPS sounds great. Hassle free when casting lures around snags, appreciate your help Rayken.


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[MatthewRussell]

Cheers everyone you have all been a great help.

Thanks
Matty


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[sowden1942]

Hi It's a 12 volt. John

[Seahorse]

Robcam is correct. Thats what i got.
Check out northside marine. They are very helpful

[astro66]

i have been looking best price i can find on the Riptide RT55ST I-Pilot is $1879 ...best one the sp is $1699 .... is the 180$ difference worth it ?

[rayken1938]

For an old bloke like me yes for the ease of deployment.
When i retrieve the motor I set the motor on half power push in the release lever and give the power button a burst and the motor lifts itself and i grab the head and just slide the motor into the locked position, Saves reaching forward and having to lift the motor.
Cheers
Ray

[AndrewB]

I have the 55lb and awesome on 440 renegade.
Bought mine at a club BCF night when they had 20% off everything.

[robcam]

astro, as Ray said the deploy system on the st is better than the sp and worth it imo.
mate has an sp 48" on a 4.5m tinny and it ventilates in swell. I`ve had an RT55ST for 4 yrs on two boats and as others have said it`s a good piece of kit.
Just changed over to motorguide, mainly for the connection to the lowrance touch units. Hoping to get the same service life as the mk...Rob.

[Coontakinta]

Just changed over to motorguide, mainly for the connection to the lowrance touch units. Hoping to get the same service life as the mk...Rob.
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I will be watching out for your future reports i think.