I currently have a Minn Kota Terrova on my G3 1756 Gatortuff. I like it, it works fine. But I’m interested in upgrading to an Ulterra…both for the auto stow/deploy option, and to pair with a forward fish finder. The Terrova I have was bought used and doesn’t have the option to pair with a finder. Anyone have advice/feedback on the Ulterra? How easy/difficult is it to pair with a finder? Is that wireless or wired connection? I can’t find much about it, though I may not be searching correctly. 

I haven’t completely ruled out other options, such as an Ultrex. I took my sons-in-law on a fishing trip last year and the guide had an Ulterra that impressed me. I have thoroughly enjoyed the remote control on the Terrova. Only interested in upgrading for the stow/deploy option and the finder pairing. 

I can't help you on pairing the Ulterra to a FF as I don't use that feature on mine. But I've had the ulterra for over six years now and love it. I have a bad back so the stow and deploy and trim are invaluable to me. I use the remote 95% of the time. I got to say I feel kind of spoiled when I can run up to an area to fish, deploy the TM, adjust the trim, and set spot lock, all before I get out of the drivers seat.

I don't know where the OP is located, but the Ulterra can run into problems in colder temps.  I know a couple people who had one and went back to the Terrova because the Ulterra was having issues in the cold with all the moving parts.

 

Just something to consider if you live in the northern portion of the country.  If you don't, I doubt it would be an issue.

 

The Ultrex is more suited for bass fishing, specifically.  Its more of a cable drive steer pedal mounted on the front deck, usually with a recessed foot pedal.  You can use the ipilot remote with it too.

I have an Ulterra.  I wouldn’t have anything else.  Mine is 3 or 4 years old.  Mine is ipilot link.  It is Ethernet connected to the one boat network.  It has 2d sonar as well as down scan.  I can control it with my remote, the foot pedal or any one of my Solix units.  It has spot lock, spot lock jog, auto pilot, cruise control, go to waypoint features and follow the contour as well as the ability to go to and follow tracks.

 

Going shallow after hung baits I can raise it straight up to keep it out of the rocks without having to touch it.

 

The main feature for me is it has kept me fishing because I ruptured a lung and broke 3 ribs which didn’t heal properly so I could no longer pull a trolling motor out of the water.

The only downside I see with the Ulterra is if you want to add a forward facing sonar transducer or 360 imaging you will not be able to mount them to the Ulterra.  Even adding another transducer is difficult but there are some awkward 3rd party solutions for that.

9 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

The only downside I see with the Ulterra is if you want to add a forward facing sonar transducer or 360 imaging you will not be able to mount them to the Ulterra.  Even adding another transducer is difficult but there are some awkward 3rd party solutions for that.

You are correct.  It can’t handle the extra weight.  I found that out the hard way.

Absolutely love my Ulterra! 

 

Previously I had an old Minn Kota cable steer...it was 20+ years old. Mounted transducer from Garmin Echomap on the TM. I looked long and hard at the Garmin Force...wanted to pair with Garmin fish finders and down the road, possibly forward facing. 

 

But...

 

Two years ago my brother got his dream boat, and paired Helix 9's with the Ulterra iPilot and networked them. Very cool. 

 

I set up my boat exactly the same as his.  I'm still learning. 

 

One of the coolest features I've found...cruising along watching the console Helix on side scan...I can mark a brush pile on the Helix...shut off the main motor...deploy the Ulterra...select "go to mark" and pick the waypoint I just created...The Ulterral will automatically drive me to that mark...and spot lock on top of it(!)

 

And love all the other features: auto deploy and stow, auto pilot, cruise control, spot-lock-jog, etc., etc. 

I’ve had an ulterra for 2 years when it works it’s great. If you are not mechanically inclined or good with electrical be prepared for long repair wait times. I’ve had to fix mine 4 times on the water all due to factory issues all without help from dealers or tech support both of which who’s only option was take it to an authorized shop or send in and wait 6+ weeks before it would get looked at. I have not had issues due to weather or temperature. Spot lock can be hit or miss as can the auto stow and deploy. They cannot be abused and don’t like excessive vibration. It’s also almost impossible to mount a live image or 360 transducer to it. 

On 5/31/2024 at 6:38 AM, Jig Man said:

You are correct.  It can’t handle the extra weight.  I found that out the hard way.

Would you please provide some more information?  Thanks.

1 hour ago, Capt Ed said:

Would you please provide some more information?  Thanks.

I can’t speak to the transducer weight issue.  It’s the transducer cord that most people complain about.   The trolling motor shaft slides up and down so you can’t attach an any cord to it.  This video shows one man’s solution to the problem.  It doesn’t look like a very appealing solution to me.  
 

 

Thanks for all the replies. (And keep them coming, please!) While I have been fishing for nearly 50 years, I have limited experience with fish finders. I would very much like to set my boat up on a "network", as mentioned by Daubs, above. What does that entail? My Terrova came used, with no cable or method to use the transducer in the foot, so I have no knowledge of how it connects to the front FF, much less how to "network" it with the rear unit.

5 minutes ago, born2climb said:

 I would very much like to set my boat up on a "network", as mentioned by Daubs, above. What does that entail? My Terrova came used, with no cable or method to use the transducer in the foot, so I have no knowledge of how it connects to the front FF, much less how to "network" it with the rear unit.

A trolling motor with a built in transducer will have a transducer cable that you attach to the fish finder.  If the trolling motor is networkable (i-pilot link for Minn Kota) it will also have an Ethernet network cable that you attach to the fish finder’s Ethernet port or to an Ethernet switch.  If you only have one fish finder you can connect to the fish finder.  If you have multiple fish finder’s network together,  you connect everything including the trolling motor to a separate Ethernet switch using Ethernet network cables.  It’s call an Ethernet switch but there are no mechanical switches on it.  It’s just has 5 Ethernet ports and a power port that you mount somewhere on the boat.  It’s basically the same as a Ethernet switch you can buy at Walmart for $20 except it has different connectors and it cost $300.  

9 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

A trolling motor with a built in transducer will have a transducer cable that you attach to the fish finder.  If the trolling motor is networkable (i-pilot link for Minn Kota) it will also have an Ethernet network cable that you attach to the fish finder’s Ethernet port or to an Ethernet switch.  If you only have one fish finder you can connect to the fish finder.  If you have multiple fish finder’s network together,  you connect everything including the trolling motor to a separate Ethernet switch using Ethernet network cables.  It’s call an Ethernet switch but there are no mechanical switches on it.  It’s just has 5 Ethernet ports and a power port that you mount somewhere on the boat.  It’s basically the same as a Ethernet switch you can buy at Walmart for $20 except it has different connectors and it cost $300.  

Where would the transducer cable connect to the Terrova? I don't know that it has a built-in transducer, but it has the funky looking foot of the ones that do. I have found no cable or port for a cable on it.

3 hours ago, born2climb said:

Where would the transducer cable connect to the Terrova? I don't know that it has a built-in transducer, but it has the funky looking foot of the ones that do. I have found no cable or port for a cable on it.

If it doesn’t have a transducer cable,  it doesn’t have a built in transducer or someone removed the cable.  Can you post a picture of the trolling motor foot?

 

This diagram from the current Terrova model's manual shows where the Ethernet and transducer (Dual Spectrum CHIRP) cable are on the motor.

 

2 hours ago, Capt Ed said:

Would you please provide some more information?  Thanks.

I had a 360 with a special mount on my Ulterra.  The motor housing came apart.  When I took it to be fixed my electronics tech guy said “I told you that 360 would not work.  Take it off, sell it and I will fix your Ulterra”.  $250 later I was back on the water.

On 5/31/2024 at 12:33 PM, DinkDonkey30 said:

I’ve had an ulterra for 2 years when it works it’s great. If you are not mechanically inclined or good with electrical be prepared for long repair wait times. I’ve had to fix mine 4 times on the water all due to factory issues all without help from dealers or tech support both of which who’s only option was take it to an authorized shop or send in and wait 6+ weeks before it would get looked at. I have not had issues due to weather or temperature. Spot lock can be hit or miss as can the auto stow and deploy.

I am somewhat handy with fixing things. Can you elaborate a bit on what these repairs were?

I have had to disassemble the left side cover for the stow mech, I’ve had to disassemble the right cover to clean and fix the electric position switch, I’ve had to reset a few times on the water which requires a little bit of a hassle and if you have to manually lift it requires the strap the send and some disassembly.