How to use a Minn Kota Ulterra Trolling Motor: Is an Ulterra worth it for a saltwater angler?

Is a Minn Kota Ulterra or Terrova trolling motor worth the investment for a saltwater fisherman. The answer is absolutely! Having a trolling motor will allow for complete boat control and allows the angler to stay on fish using spot lock. Manipulate your drift with the autopilot feature and you have total boat control that allows the angler to eliminate the wind's impact on your drift.
I will show you how to use a Minn Kota Ulterra trolling motor. This will include how to stow and deploy your motor properly, use the remote features, spot lock, autopilot and settings. I will also demonstrate how to use the one boat network by operating the trolling motor with I-pilot link technology from my Humminbird Solix.
Mike Roy is a full time fishing guide and owner of Reel Cast Charters.
www.reelcastcharters.com/
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[@JamesWood-dj1lf]

Two years later this motor is going strong kzbin.infoUgkxBZWgzfpS2Jj7JqIHyaSZjyVHNUgCKCBf Just uploaded a video of it after 2 years. We use it probably a dozen days each year on our small raft.-original review- We got this motor the other day and tested it out. I don't have anything to compare it to, but it seems good to me. It has all the features advertised - the motor housing is metal. We will see how it performs longer term and I will revise this review if needed. Some initial observations:- Good thrust, moves our boat around really well- It comes with a circuit breaker but no switch - so there's no way to kill the motor other than yanking the connection off the battery. I installed an inline switch.- The mount bracket is plastic and I worry it might break- There are a number of plastic parts that I worry about, but the most important ones are metal or some kind of composite

[@RealChoice1776]

Love this video it help a lot I wish there were more videos like this great job 👏🏽

[@reelcastcharters1306]

ThankYou

[@theredman10]

That’s cool dude

[@larrysunde8878]

The spot lock on my Ultrex is much more accurate than my old Terrova which always used to try to crash me into docks. Stow and deploy is awesome on a 24 volt system. Highly recommend

[@devinace7832]

Sorry to be off topic but does any of you know of a trick to log back into an Instagram account..? I was stupid lost my account password. I would appreciate any tips you can offer me

[@reyanshkingston9559]

@Devin Ace instablaster ;)

[@Kinleith621]

Thanks mate, I enjoyed your video, very informative.

[@reelcastcharters1306]

Thanks man!

[@joelfranckowiak9044]

Neat!!!

[@glasair38sr]

Have a 36V 112lb 60" shaft coming this week or next.....huge chunk of change considering addition of your 'infrastructure' (batteries, cables, etc), but I absolutely cannot wait. For the types of inshore fishing that I'm interested, I find it a huge PITA in order to do it the old fashioned way. This almost seems like cheating. The darn things are almost unobtanium these days, and most are shipping without heading module (to ship later). Supply chain woes. Literally bumped me to this motor from the 24v 80lb I'd originally desired, but with the wind and my 23' bay boat, I think I'll end up glad I took the leap in the end. As far as my fishing goes, this thing would literally go multiple weekends for me without recharging (but I'll be topping it off regardless...better for those high dollar batteries). Definitely invest in a good charger / conditioner / desulfation setup. I've literally got farm equipment (Kawi Mule, Tractor , etc) and autos (all with quick connect pigtails) that are on 8 year old batteries that continue to work like a champ. Have fun guys....the girlfriend is likely on the backburner a while after this wallet lightening event....but it is what it is! Hehe.

[@UrbanFisherman]

Great video 📹

[@jamescooper3000]

Extremely helpful information especially since I just bought one this was a great insight and help

[@danielslocum7316]

Upgraded from my 30# MK that maxed out at 3mph. This pushes my pelican pwr 100 at 4.5mph which is nuts since the pwr is a slow yak

[@bothomaentertainment7815]

Nice

[@jacksonbeverly3250]

Mine is going strong for 5 years

[@CruzWilson-jg5bu]

Great, but i couldn't see the buttons you're using which is the main thing i need to know

[@mczookoz364]

Great explanations it's a pity you weren't able to show the setup been actually used offshore. Seeing it work in real world conditions like wind and current. Unfortunately they are extremely expensive in Oz and are commomly known to fail as the deployment system brakes down. Then it seems parts take along time to ship to Oz. The other minnkotas have great reputations. In you're opinion what would be the biggest boat you would run the 112lbs based on your experience?

[@reelcastcharters1306]

I run mine on a 23 foot CC and it works great. I have seen them run on 30 ft CC before. I have a friend Harry that fishes out of Sydney that is currently running MK on his boats.

[@mczookoz364]

Thanks Mate not many 7m hardtop boats running them offshore to get enough feedback about them. The feedback so far is the Ulterra is unreliable in the salt. Nonetheless if access is good the Terrova has a good reputation. Problem is with my hardtop Stabi access isn't easy. Appreciate your experience and reply.

[@Jasonbe71]

My Ulterra is in the shop.....again

[@chass53]

Friend of mine has one spends more time being repaired than we use it unfortunately, when it works it’s brilliant but that isn’t very often and it’s out of warranty.

[@user-dw5kd6im1j]

We know better than to mow the part when it’s moving, it would help if you showed buttons your mashing on the remote to do the work. Thank you.

[@jkroblox9723]

Any issue with auto deploy or stow?

[@Mattcruger]

How reliable has this been?

[@gm1937]

Great video and I have a quick question. I fish in the long island sound New York, where often boats are crowded in a given area. Because, of course, everyone knows where the honey holes are at. If I use the remote to auto navigate to a desired spot and the unit malfunctions, or I drop the darn thing, would the trolling motor continue on its path, even though there is a boat in front of it. I can see a collision is a risk?

[@reelcastcharters1306]

In that scenario just press the power button off. Also I keep a mini remote as a back up.

[@gm1937]

@@reelcastcharters1306 thanks

[@andrewpruyn9347]

Can you adjust the stow position? Can I adjust it so it only trims up 3/4 or 2/3 of the way and then stow? Or stow and move the trim back down? I want a long shaft but am gonna have it mounted parallel to the front of my pontoon boat and dont want it sticking out off the side.

[@larrysunde8878]

Don't think so but try downloading the owners manual

[@reelcastcharters1306]

You are able to trim the motor up so if you are in shallow water and do not want the prop to hit bottom. The next time you deploy it will go to the same trim that you perviously had the motor at.

[@peter112999]

Would you know how to set Boat Scale on my 2017 Alterra. It has the old analogue remote, not your touch screen Regards

[@reelcastcharters1306]

I'm not exactly sure but it is located in the options or system menu.

[@shannondeboer8086]

Question......When I deploy my ulterra, everything works great, when I stow it and move, the next time I deploy the prop wont spin and nothing makes it spin. If I stow it and unplug and cyle into deploy again, then the prop spins........so it seems like i am continually unplugging and resetting every time I move. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong?

[@reelcastcharters1306]

It should not be doing that. I would call customer service and maybe they can help you trouble shoot.

[@10bbremer]

How long will that deployment / trim motor work? I understand it is typically a $500 repair.

[@reelcastcharters1306]

They have a limited warranty so I’d look into that first or look into the Terrova they are bullet proof.

[@buster4451]

I have a terrovo and the power board got fried and it’s 250 with parts/labor but a strong and dependable motor just forgot to unplug while charging

[@Fishbumable]

When you want to troll in autopilot, can you set a specific speed so the motor adjusts speed accordingly, or can you only select the prop speed, such as 1-10?

[@reelcastcharters1306]

You can select a prop speed 1-10 and increase or decrease speed by pressing the + or - button. The autopilot will only keep the motor on the chosen heading.

[@jameswarner7196]

Greg, yes it has cruise control in .1mph increments.

[@ericpeterson8904]

What kind of boat is that, looks damn nice!

[@reelcastcharters1306]

2300 DV Pathfinder

[@pcrepairguys]

I have a pontoon and we drift backward. Will it hold a reverse heading? In other words, will it hold me straight on a heading at a certain speed in reverse?

[@reelcastcharters1306]

The Legacy Auto Pilot will keep the trolling motor on the heading at a set speed. You can push the boat in reverse if you had the motor facing dead stern.

[@kostasmathis]

Hello i have a question Can the ulterra pair with furuno fcv 295 Thank you

[@reelcastcharters1306]

It can not

[@larrystoneberger6434]

Will spot lock work without having connected to a fish finder? Can you Bluetooth it?

[@reelcastcharters1306]

Yes you do not need to connect it to a fish finder. The trolling motor has an internal GPS chip and is controlled via a bluetooth remote.

[@wendellcautrell1936]

I have a Garmin 93sv can I hook this up to it?

[@reelcastcharters1306]

They have the ability to link to Humminbird Screens.

[@pip2458]

For I pilot how do i connect it to my GPS/fishfinder?

[@reelcastcharters1306]

There is an ipilot link cable that will plug into the back of your Humminbird.

[@dallinlambert3484]

Hey m8 I'm just curious how fast this pushes your boat say I want to just troll for some lake trout what is the top speed of this unit on your boat, will it push you 2.5 mph pretty easily or should I just stick with a gas kicker

[@reelcastcharters1306]

Speed will depend on wind and tide. I could pull the boat give or take 3 mph.

[@dallinlambert3484]

@@reelcastcharters1306 thanks for the info

[@WayneTX254]

What shaft length and voltage are you running? I have a similar boat

[@reelcastcharters1306]

72 inch shaft, 36 volt, 112lb thrust, plenty of power for the boat

[@guacaquio]

@@reelcastcharters1306 what would be the minimum you would use on a 22FT CC ? THANKS

[@reelcastcharters1306]

@@guacaquio I would use the 112lb thrust

[@dannylindavacations8251]

I own one, I’ve had it for four years. It has far to many cons than pros. I wish I had not wasted the money and kept my hand operated unit.

[@jameswarner7196]

Must not know how to use it correctly. No other trolling motor on the market will do what the ulterra does, all of which are things I need for my fishing

[@muskietime]

@@jameswarner7196 A friend had two Ultera Trolling Motors fail in one two-week period. He has since bought two Ultrex Trolling Motors and has not needed to “backup”, second Ultrex. We fish remote Canadian areas and thus the need for redundancy... if you can afford it! It is foolish to assume that the negative experience of someone else is due to their skill or knowledge level. Every child should be taught this Life Lesson. Be well.

[@Bobbysheresomewhere]

If you make a living fishing tournaments and such, then yes it might be worth it. If you're a weekend angler out with the family, I highly doubt it. Imo the industry is pricing itself out of reach for those, who have kept it alive for generations. The working men and women simply trying to send some quality time with their families.

[@alexandregrings6558]

Minnkota leaves something to be desired, it simply burns the engine plate, which here in Brazil is very expensive. I have an Ulterra and a Power Drive, they are two boats. If the battery reaches 50%, an electrical failure occurs and then everything is out of control. I will return everything and try Motor Guide!

[@reelcastcharters1306]

I've never had that issue with mine and it is used daily. Perhaps you have a defective motor?

[@alexandregrings6558]

@@reelcastcharters1306 I have an ulterra and a Power drive, both with the same problem. this episode is far from being solved by Minnkota ... it is a neglect.

[@reelcastcharters1306]

Not sure bud, never seen that or know anyone that has had that problem.

[@jameswarner7196]

Did you guys know that if you’re using lead acid batteries deep cycle you’re not supposed to let them get below 50%? That’s just common knowledge. Apparently your minnkotas are smarter than you.

[@iscarran]

Would’ve been a better video if you showed us the remote and the buttons you pressed.

[@reelcastcharters1306]

Watch the end of the video.

[@iscarran]

@@reelcastcharters1306 you get a extra like! That helps. My apologies for not watching til the end. Thanks for the info

[@terryhadaway143]

My experience says these things are not worth the investment no matter what kind of fishing you are doing. They are over hyped and do NOT work as promised. Oh sometimes it works, and you think, how great is that. But then it simple decides to turn itself off while you are gliding swiftly into a dock piling or tree stump. Wish I had my money back and Minn Kota had this POS in its pile of great ideas that don't work.

[@reelcastcharters1306]

Thats unfortunate that you had a bad experience with yours. I've been using mine as a full time guide (7 days a week) since fall of 2016 and would never go back to fishing with out one. Things to consider are poor rigging or voltage supply, bad batteries, bad install and/or operator error. I would consult with a certified MK dealer to trouble shoot.

[@jameswarner7196]

You must not do much variety of fishing because the ulterra is an absolute necessity for me that I can’t get with any other trolling motor

[@bigbird2424]

I think the i pilot link is way to Complicated .

[@jameswarner7196]

It’s literally the most simple thing. You press a button for whatever you want to do

[@FirstCoastFishingChartersLLC]

Don’t buy one! When they work it’s nice. But always issues. Again in for repairs now. 3 years old and 900.00 in repairs plus ? This time.

[@workerman6536]

To many moving parts to many problems

[@easyfoshzy]

How to use the trolling motor? How about showing us the remote buttons you are hitting? Why not walk through all the buttons and show us what they do? Not helpful.