BIG Trolling motor companies hate this! AUTOBOAT Smart Head Preview

[@TinyBoatNation]

Get the *SMART HEAD*: tbnation.net/products/autoboat-gps-trolling-motor-anchor-system

[@BilgerWaters]

If you can, make sure you have as much stock on hand before Jan. There is no way of knowing exactly when they will implement it but the 20% import tariff will either make you eat a bit of a loss or have to increase your prices or a bit of both. One small plus is its based your import cost not what you sell it for.

[@fishesfromtupperware]

NICE! I just finished a similar system for my boat. But having it ready to go, out of the box is waaay cool! I also used a very similar steering system, but separating it from the head never occurred to me! Brilliant! Thanks! This should sell really well for yall!

[@DustinDIY]

I just finished an aluminum adapter to use the original autoboat on an edge bow mount. Pretty simple design. Strong but some flex so no extreme pressure on the turning motor mount. .... But again i wish i waited. This was announced the week after i got mine. But still love it.

[@TinyBoatNation]

The legacy units are still fantastic!

[@htid718]

Hey, just learned about the whole thing today and I might be interested in a original unit. If you're interested and can figure out how to dm here, send me a message :)

[@JONBOYLEMON]

Awesome to hear it fits edge. Im expecting mine once that batch arrives. I called and talked to you guys today looking for a trolling motor with a long enough shaft to run on my crestliner 14 ft. 42 inch is the max we could find but the edge looks to work with new batch!!! Vant wait. Too bad all the water here will be 5" of ice before it arrives though.

[@thevernonposse]

Will it work with the motors that come with Brooklyn kayaks

[@NiteWolfeFishing]

It would be really great if you made a foot pedal type of remote so you could control it hands free.

[@erichineman7916]

My thoughts exactly

[@deschutesdegenerates5260]

@@NiteWolfeFishing can’t cast and use a remote I totally agree

[@TinyBoatNation]

Working on it

[@oneangrycanadian6205]

Man I’m telling you the hand remote is way better believe me. I’ve used both and the hand remote is way better

[@NiteWolfeFishing]

@@oneangrycanadian6205 Impossible to cast and retrieve while operating a remote.

[@michaelridgell1981]

Can I use this on a transom of a kayak? So it will push the boat from the stern instead of pulling from the front ?

[@wannwarriors]

I'm Gathering that there is nothing available for a larger trolling motor, Like a 100# thrust?

[@TinyBoatNation]

Not yet

[@Displaced_Yinzer]

I can't wait to get my hands on this. I have my Newport motor and mount already to go. This will be a game changer for fishing for Shad and Sturgeon in the rivers here. Not having to mess with an anchor line will be great! I'm bummed that I will have to wait till possibly January now but I would rather wait and get a feature complete unit then have it rushed and not be complete.

[@theScyth1]

any reason you went with Newport over Minnkota?

[@Displaced_Yinzer]

@theScyth1 not really. I was looking at both originally but the Minn kota I was looking at on Facebook Marketplace sold so I got the Newport instead.

[@runltdan]

THANK YOU! I watch a lot of videos. Great presentation great production thank you for using a tripod.🤣😂🤣. I’m building a solar powered 100 amp power lithium battery canoe this information is Golden as I will put a second engine on the front. Great job explain everything my friend new subscriber.

[@TinyBoatNation]

Glad it helped, check out the next video!

[@mountainbikerlife3295]

Waiting on mine for over 2 months. First oct 15, then nov 15. And now next year. Bummer. Ill wait I guess...

[@MrJoker5578]

I know how you feel. I ordered mine in July. Hopefully it will come within a month.

[@mountainbikerlife3295]

@MrJoker5578 it better. Lots of pre order money in there hands. 300 people is 195,000$. Hope it's worth it. I manage a bike shop and we don't play like that. 5 or 6 months later. Not happy really

[@MrJoker5578]

@ I hear ya. I almost canceled my order after the second change of date they were supposed to get their shipment in. If I don’t get it by next month I probably will.

[@returnofsid]

Any updates? Has anyone received anything?

[@mountainbikerlife3295]

@@returnofsid nope

[@Bamaoutdoors]

Can't wait for this thing! I have been waiting on the updated version!

[@allenrugg9954]

Has there been any talk of maybe a remote foot control instead of the handheld?

[@oxyfide]

I would be interested in an added foot peddle option

[@deschutesdegenerates5260]

Wish I could use my cable drive edge as well as this, would be the perfect solution for me

[@TinyBoatNation]

Wait for it. It’s coming.

[@tylerblakley5473]

I agree love the cable drive for the feel. But would like to have remote steering for trolling cranks in the middle of summer. Can’t wait to see what they come up with.

[@Carl_Black]

Happy I waited to order. My tournament season starts late January. This will be a big upgrade.

[@liljoe5139]

We start in February

[@darol2005]

Can you rig this up to a livescope pole ?

[@jondevera830]

any update on shipping dates?

[@TinyBoatNation]

Looking at 2nd to 3rd week of January

[@Displaced_Yinzer]

@@TinyBoatNation is that when its supposed to ship out to customers or when they are supposed to ship from Brazil?

[@commandoprofessor7121]

yall should make them for bigger trolling motors and motorguide would buy

[@KissmyBasss]

I need /wanted 24v and got the Haswing. It's pretty good, but this or anything to compete with the big dogs is good.

[@TinyBoatNation]

Apples and oranges

[@KissmyBasss]

I know bro.I have 4 trolling motors,twit.

[@JonesCA62769]

When they get this for the 709lb Edge, I'm going to get it!

[@flipflopfishingAZ]

Def something I'd consider but I'm not giving up my hands-free steering I have now. Need a wireless foot pedal or something that's kayak-friendly.

[@TinyBoatNation]

There's a foot pedal coming soon!

[@flipflopfishingAZ]

@TinyBoatNation SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! Can't wait to see it.

[@croper256]

Any plans for a foot control pedal in the future?

[@JonR35]

Can you test demos with it on the stern. Like GPS ect.

[@TinyBoatNation]

Only anchor mode works on the stern. All other modes are meant to pull the boat not push it.

[@robertlivingston1634]

Very nice but you seemed to miss 3 very important things, price/price and price

[@Capt-Joe]

Does it have a spot lock sir ?

[@TinyBoatNation]

Yes. It’s called anchor mode. Spot lock is patented by Minnkota.

[@toad465]

Edit: 12 volt only 😢 This looks amazing! Now I need to figure out if the old TM on my Flat Bottom will accept it it's an old 90 Evenrude 12/24 foot cable kind, I also have a more recent Minkota Maxim 24v Foot control I took off my other boat when I installed the Force I could use if it will convert I guess Spot lock works well too?

[@peggoty75]

i just pre ordered mine

[@TinyBoatNation]

SMART man!

[@Ktm350xcf]

Will these work on the 24v OMC trolling motors?

[@TinyBoatNation]

Not yet

[@dbax6800]

What about the original auto boat is it no longer being offered the one for $649 I was considering purchasing one just had wait until the end of November what is the price of the new smart head coming and is the original going to be done away with

[@chrisroberts3963]

I’ll sell you mine! Love it but of course I want to upgrade.

[@TinyBoatNation]

They are the same price

[@dbax6800]

@TinyBoatNation is this going to work on the minkota 55 with the maximize with out doing anything extra

[@DustinDIY]

@@dbax6800 the maximizer is removed, it is in the head. All old heads of tillers are removed. Dont worry very easy. 2 wires to disconnect and connect to new head. I did it on the original and did away with the head. Just added a right angle pvc fitting and a waterproof grommet on end of my endura maxx. For the original autoboat

[@TinyBoatNation]

Same price

[@micbarca9777]

So this gps locks for gps anchoring like potluck?

[@TinyBoatNation]

Potluck?

[@micbarca9777]

@TinyBoatNation spotlock stupid spell check

[@grege9862]

Will this work for transom-mounted situations? This would seem to present more difficulty for the auto pilot and anchor functions to be able to work effectively. Transom-mounted motors often will not be able to rotate 360 degrees without coming in contact with the stern. I am interested in your answers.

[@TinyBoatNation]

Yes, it will work for transom situations, but only with the anchor mode and electronic steering. It can’t work with the NAV mode or the routes. Currently, there’s no GPS system that pushes about. They only pull them.

[@DustinDIY]

@@TinyBoatNation I'd been thinking of that, and wondered if it couldn't be done by just attaching the gps to the bow, while motor is at stern. Doesn't really work as is with the smart head, but could with the old version.

[@maverickmisenko7234]

Looks like a sweet unit. Definitely would not use those wago quick connectors though as they are for houses and not tinned or marine grade in any way. Not going to last. Use heat shrinks and dont be lazy.

[@KayakDIY]

Wago lever connectors are a high a quality German connector. Wago even advertises these for use with Electric Hot Shower kits common in Europe (wet/hot/high humidity). Inside the motor shaft Wago connectors are equally or less exposed as they would be when used per manufacturer in electric hot shower applications. They will be fine. Also these connectors have been tested by many in marine and boat applications for years with positive remarks. If you have skills and tools to solder a xt60 connector you could remove Wago connector and do that as alternative. However, many customers do not possess those skills. For that reason it has been chosen to ship them with Wago connectors. I personally have been using the AutoBoat Smart Head system with Wago connectors in saltwater environment with no issues. I have mine mounted to kayak which is a wet ride sometimes. Yesterday pulled in bull shark with my daughter.

[@bugsy742]

😂 be quiet boy- been using Wago connections in Norway for years!

[@justdoingitjim7095]

This looks like something I want. Question, I bought a Garmin Striker graph that uses a phone app for updates, just like your Autoboat. The problem is, if your phone browser isn't new enough it can't use the app and you can't get upgrades. And you can't upgrade your browser! You literally have to buy a new phone to use the app! Does your app have the same limitations on phone browsers?

[@TinyBoatNation]

We’ve never had a problem so far with people not being able to use the app

[@davidmiller3089]

I have an Edge bowmount. Will this Autoboat head allow me to do spotlock or other controlled trolling?

[@TinyBoatNation]

If you have an edge, hand control, yes. If it’s the foot control, no.

[@jordangourley3955]

Pretty cool, but if you add the prices of a name brand dumb trolling motor and the auto boat head together, the cost is similar to a name brand smart motor. I guess it’s a good way to upgrade an old trolling motor, but what’s the benefit if you already have a smart motor? Does it do anything that name brands don’t?

[@TinyBoatNation]

If you do the research and compare features for the price range, nothing actually comes close.

[@Jb-vc5fq]

It can mount to a clamp on style/stern mount trolling motor. That is something other trolling motors don’t do. The remote control and gps spot lock features are all on bow mounted trolling motors.

[@Jessica37323]

So it won't fit any motor guide?

[@TinyBoatNation]

No

[@FourPointsOutdoors]

Love my variable speed from my pwm on my yak. Have a TB rehab about to kick off and looking at gear to add to the build out and would like variable speed. Does this have variable speed like you get with a pwm?

[@edwardmarshall8795]

Will it work with maximum trolling motor

[@TinyBoatNation]

No

[@steventaylor470]

Any chance there will be a head for us running 24V 80lbs?

[@TinyBoatNation]

Soon

[@TKOSNGR]

If this could be used with the Edge tiller model, I'd be sold. Is TBN going to be selling the adapter to retrofit it or would it be a DIY solution?

[@TinyBoatNation]

It’s a DIY move to retrofit it to the edge hand control, but it’s possible

[@DustinDIY]

@@TKOSNGR it is very easy to make an adapter for edge tiller. I did it with aluminum bar from lowes. Id love to link pictures but not sure that lasts on youtube anymore. But essentially... You need 1/4 and 1/8 aluminum bar 1 inch wide 1/4 and 2 inch 1/8, shortest they sell. 24 inch i think. The 1/4 is most of it. The 1/8 is just a rectangle piece slightly longer than a square, that offsets the two 1/4 bars. Then 2 short 1/4 bars for spacers. And a couple rivets or bolts. This connects to the flat black aluminum on left side of edge mount where the shaft is held. The turning motor itself should be on the shaft for the alignment offset. ... I know this is confusing in writing. A picture shows it for what it is. A 15 minute project at most.

[@TKOSNGR]

@@DustinDIY That's good to know. Thanks for the details!

[@DustinDIY]

@@TKOSNGR keep in mind. The space above the edge mount is for the collar to be able to spin around without hitting it. I also ordered a second collar for the bottom that keeps the whole thing from moving up while not in use too.

[@DustinDIY]

@@TKOSNGR tried to link pictures of it from google drive. Made em public. Was removed

[@Freetime4life]

Hi what size for SHAFT LENGTH ? Thank you

[@TinyBoatNation]

It will work, but I recommend the longest you can get away with

[@drsnow5123]

Will these work on the seadoo fishpros?

[@TinyBoatNation]

They will work anywhere you can mount a transom bracket

[@chuanR35]

Does it support digital brushless trolling motor? Oldschool ones are heavy in comparison

[@TinyBoatNation]

Not yet

[@brianhoogewind4848]

How does the pro system hold up in saltwater

[@oxyfide]

Apparently it's made for salt water ...the old system has held up Iv heard ...as a matter of fact almost all the videos on the old system were done in salt water.

[@KayakDIY]

*All AutoBoat Smart Heads are saltwater ready.* I’m co-owner of AutoBoat USA. I use my prior gen AutoBoats and this new Smart Head system exclusively in saltwater. I will share videos in upcoming weeks. All my videos are in saltwater. I’m based in SW Florida. 😊

[@jperiksen]

Is it Saltwater ready???

[@TinyBoatNation]

Yes, as long as you pair it with a saltwater trolling motor

[@officialWWM]

I’ve been asking for this for months! Finally :) Will you ship to Australia?

[@TinyBoatNation]

Yes we will. And the plastic gears hold up just fine

[@adampreston285]

Will these be coming to Australia?

[@TheGreekbull]

Looks amazing!

[@TinyBoatNation]

It is!

[@IAM-cc8be]

any word on 24 volt AutoBoat? thanks for Update

[@KayakDIY]

Not for a while. Requires a totally different motherboard. However, we have it on the to do list. Just isn’t going to be anything crazy soon. For instance maybe 10% probability to see 24v system in late 2025. Maybe 2026 release. We only build if we can deliver competitive quality, performance, features, and price in the market. We have no plans of stopping innovation here though. AutoBoat Co-Owner

[@IAM-cc8be]

@@KayakDIY Thank you much for reply

[@TWC6724]

Want one!!! 👍

[@MyersWilliam-x4j]

That button doesn’t look water proof. Or am I wrong. Question is do I have to put a grocery bag over the head while in rain or wavey conditions?

[@oxyfide]

Following

[@Aksmaniyak]

Nice upgrades. You should add a magnetic kill switch on the head.

[@KayakDIY]

Only problem is AutoBoat rotates constantly in gps modes so any magnetic tether won’t likely work well for attaching to angler as a kill switch that is why we did a kill button. I do have an additional in-line kill switch my dad designed that TBN can end up selling if there is enough interest. It wires into the battery power cable. It can be fastened to any surface.

[@Aksmaniyak]

@@KayakDIY Makes sense.

[@TinyBoatNation]

There’s no way

[@Aksmaniyak]

@@TinyBoatNation Actually, if the head attachment was on a swivel and could rotate with the mag in the center, it could work.

[@officialWWM]

That main gear looks like it’s made of plastic? That’s a bit of a worry 🤔

[@KayakDIY]

Literally never had a warranty involving broken or stripped gear. This AutoDrive (steering motor) and gear system is even larger and more robust than previous design. However, I could understand your concern. Composite is also better due to no risk of corrosion in saltwater vs a metal gear system which would be very high risk. This design has over 4yrs of engineering improvements and experience behind it.

[@officialWWM]

@ ok, fair enough. I am basing my concern on other tools I have used with plastic gears that have stripped and not lasted, although, I can see the benefits in use around water.

[@josephdavison1979]

If it would work on 70lb 24v l would get it

[@TinyBoatNation]

Coming soon!

[@napjohn88]

Im confused wtf does it do?

[@KayakDIY]

AutoBoat Smart Head adapter kit converts basic cheap manual motors into remote steering gps smart motors. You will have remote steering, gps anchor mode that holds your position, Navpoint heading mode which holds your course and direction, route follow modes, and more! You can control the motor then with remote or app, plus there will be additional remote options in future that can pair to motor for enhanced user experiences.

[@bretshivers8352]

got tired of waiting, kept being moved up and up. went and bought a spot lock. in my opinion why take orders when you have nothing to promise

[@TinyBoatNation]

It’s a pre-order. A lot of companies do it. If you found something better than we wish you luck.

[@Opiemus]

True fishermen have foot controlled cable driven bow mounted trolling motors. I have had the power drive and the i-pilot from Minn kota and they both sucked. They make it damn near impossible to fish lay downs and other cover precisely, the spot lock is not all that either. 🤔

[@CBGRTR]

That's what I have id never own a remote co trol TM that ties one my hands up spot lock would ne nice though

[@Opiemus]

@CBGRTR absolutely agreed. 👍

[@TinyBoatNation]

There will be a foot pedal. Coming soon.

[@Opiemus]

@TinyBoatNation that sounds pretty good as long as it's not an electronic power driven one like the Minn kota power drive. It should be cable driven so it is instantaneous without all the noise. 👍

[@DustinDIY]

If i were to bet.... Id say the most common failure will be the internal reset-able circuit breaker. I work with these a lot. They often fail by tripping and dont reset until discharged by grounding by touching with screw driver or just don't reset. We end up putting in a fuse or shunt most of the time

[@comfortablynumb9342]

Sounds great. You better get them soon. The tariffs that are coming will probably make it a lot more expensive. And despite what the orange buffoon says, tariffs are paid by the consumer in the end.

[@JimbobZ17]

Libturd Biden ruined the economy without tariffs. Clueless.

[@F-N-C]

WTF I just bought a $2,500 Minn Kota lol

[@michaelbanville1448]

Me too a Alterra and $1,000 24 volt lithium battery

[@tommyluke6407]

You won’t be mad !! They are worth every penny if you saltwater fish with a big tidal swing .

[@HuffFishing]

Cool unit but for $700 think I'll pass.

[@michaell1665]

Sorry, can't give a thumbs up to a tiny boat with 2 power poles.

[@johnnyjames8660]

You mentioned in your intro you was going to mention price but you never did. So what is the cost.

[@KayakDIY]

Listed at TBNation.net Search “AutoBoat Smart Head”. Currently listed at only $649. System will be the lightest, easiest to mount, most versatile, and feature rich gps motor setup for 2025!

[@TinyBoatNation]

699 I believe

[@redfish-vg9dj]

Would it work on the newport vessels 63lb thrust??

[@TinyBoatNation]

Technically yes, but the board is not meant to deap with amps that high so for those reasons we suggest the 55lb, and cannot approve the 63lb

[@johnnyjames8660]

Thanks for the reply on the price

[@TinyBoatNation]

Any time