For background, I'm coming from a 14' aluminum with a 20HP and Garmin Striker 4 fish finder. I never really learned how to use the fish finder properly and I doubt it's ever helped me catch SM or walleyes in the 20-30 hours of use. For trolling motor I have a 12V 20lb minn kota from the 90s.

 

I'm looking at a Lund Pro-V Bass or Renegade likely in 19 or 20' and at minimum I need a trolling motor. Looking at bow mounts for 80lb 24V 60" I see Minn Kota Terrova, Ultrex or Ulterra. Terrova has the most reviews and looks to be the most popular but there are now brushless options which are apparently much more quiet but they also cost almost double for Minn Kota. It looks like the Ghost is brushless but I've read about some negative reviews and near 0 customer support. I don't think I need all the features of the Ulterra, I don't mind manually deploy the TM. Terrova looks like a good bet but it's not brushless. I basically want an easy to use pedal, spot lock/anchor and setting a course would be cool but not needed to start with.

 

One boat I'm looking at actually comes with a Lowrance Ghost + Elite FS9 already installed and while that solves a few issues of me going out and buying it and installing it I'm not really sure if that combo is what I want down the line? I suppose I can ask them if they can price the boat without the TM and/or electronics.

 

Would be curious to hear of people's thoughts on electronics and TM's - specifically TM as that's what I need day 1 when I start fishing.

 

EDIT: Also I'm a bit worried about lock-in, i.e, if for example the Minn Kota i-pilot integration with FF's limits me to Humminbird in order to set a course to troll along a short from the FF map then that would not be ideal...

I think you would benefit from having the bow mount and graphs operate together.

 

For example: Ghost and Lowrance, Kraken and Garmin, or Minn Kota and Humminbird.  To fully utilize every feature out there, compatibility is a must.

 

Slightly off topic, but the Pro V Bass and Renegade are quite different boats even though they are both Lund.  The Pro V Bass utilizes the tried and true IPS hull that has been built into their deep V boats.  The Renegade does not.  It is a mod V hull.  The Pro V Bass could handle substantially rougher and bigger water than the Renegade, albeit at a higher price tag.

12 minutes ago, gim said:

I think you would benefit from having the bow mount and graphs operate together.

 

For example: Ghost and Lowrance, Kraken and Garmin, or Minn Kota and Humminbird.  To fully utilize every feature out there, compatibility is a must.

 

Slightly off topic, but the Pro V Bass and Renegade are quite different boats even though they are both Lund.  The Pro V Bass utilizes the tried and true IPS hull that has been built into their deep V boats.  The Renegade does not.  It is a mod V hull.  The Pro V Bass could handle substantially rougher and bigger water than the Renegade, albeit at a higher price tag.

 

I think I'm leaning towards the Renegade at this point. I had initially thought the Pro-V Bass but I won't be fishing in super rough or big waters like Lake Ontario, Champlain or the Great lakes. I also prefer the option to get into shallower areas which is where I generally find myself in my 14'.

 

Interesting about the pairing and it's a bit unfortunate that we don't have better open standards and interoperability... Maybe I'm best off just getting a basic trolling motor if it's the ghost that is already installed or basic Terrova that can do most of what I need by themselves with their built-in GPS then wait until winter to do more research on a final setup.

14 minutes ago, RipHair said:

I think I'm leaning towards the Renegade at this point.

 

It's a nice boat.  I have a mod V Ranger that's very similar and I would consider a Renegade if I was in the market.

Having everything integrated and networked is pretty nice.  I don’t know how deep into it you want to get, but at the end of the day different brands with the same features and quality will be priced comparably.  So to that end, getting a set  that is from the same brand and operates as one like Gim said is going to be to your benefit.  I went Minnkota/humminbird.  Two head units units, FFS, and an ultrex.  I don’t use the ‘follow a course’ like you’re mentioning, but being able to spotlock the trolling motor from the drivers seat is handy (like I just landed a fish or am retying and forgot to hit the anchor on the foot control).  Having the fish finders networked is great- scan around from the drivers seat with side imaging and mark waypoints.  Go to the front and have the trolling motor navigate to them or at least be able to see them on the bow FF.  I would pick out the set that gives you the total package of features you want.  You’re starting from fresh basically so you might as well get the thing that i best for you.  Also consider shallow water anchors in that scenario if you might do that.

 

Specific to the terrova/ulterra/ultrex I just did that assessment for myself.  I was going to go terrova, but I knew I was going to add FFS and there isn’t a factory mount that works for it.  I would have had to add a $300 aftermarket mount to make it work.  At the time, the ultrex was on sale and was $300 more than the terrova. So my costs would have been the same in the end.  I went ultrex which is a better motor and has factory integration with the mega live transducer.  the only ‘cost’ was an extra 40 pounds on the bow.  The ulterra was interesting, but I would have still needed the same aftermarket mount, it was a couple hundred more than the terrova, and comes with some so-so reliability.  The ultrex has been tournament proven by so many pros over the past 10 years that it just works.  The quest models are supposed to be better, but they are another $1k or so I think.  

Lot to consider when adding several electronic components and suggest a good dealer do the work for you. You will save time and money when all is done.

Batteries are very important and today’s lighter weight LifeP04 lithium marine are a consideration but need to be compatible with the OB you choose as a cranking battery and house battery for the electronics, TM will have their batteries.

Tom

On 7/27/2025 at 2:51 PM, RipHair said:

I also prefer the option to get into shallower areas which is where I generally find myself in my 14'.

 

I have the 1875 PVB and I float in 12", possibly less. I don't have talons or a jackplate on the back, just a 200HP Merc though. When I see skinny water, I'm generally not afraid to try it, the Ultrex 36v pulls me through pretty much everything. I don't recall Lund stating drafts on their models, but I assume the Renegade can go even skinnier with the mod-V hull.