Hello everyone

This last fall I bought my first bass boat, a1990 Tracker TF1800 with a mercury 115hp outboard which runs very well (got to take it out once before the season ended)

The boat is equipped with a minkota edge 55# thrust trolling motor. I noticed immediately that this TM struggled with a boat this size and weight in a river current (not to mention if there is a wind)

When they installed the trolling motor they cut off the power plug and spliced on the plug that fit in the boats power jack (most likely a motorguide plug)

There is lowrance x52 fish finder that is bow mounted with a transducer mounted on the back. Seems to work fine but I want something more sophisticated.

So.....here is what I am thinking.

I want to replace the TM with something in the 70#-80# thrust range like the minnkota power drive v2 with autopilot. I replaced all 3 batteries (2 for TM and 1 for motor cranking) with deep cycle marine batteries 650cca rc150?

On the fish finder I am looking at getting a Hummingbird 788ci HDdi for the bow and mounting that transducer on the TM. I thought I might put the x52 on the back for someone who might use it when I have second person with me.

I would welcome suggestions or advice.

I have budgeted 2500 to 3000 dollars for improvements due to getting the boat for only 1800 dollars.

I also don't know if I can install these items myself or should have that done....thoughts?

Here is a picture of the boat as I picked it up at the sellers house.

http://db.tt/4xcHCsp8

Thanks in advance for any advice / suggestions you might have.

If you get the powerdrive v2, get the universal sonar option and adaptor cable. Don't have to worry about breaking the transducer when you hit rocks. As far as installing them yourself, I guess thats up to you. You don't need to be a rocket scientist, but need to be handy and have the proper tools. Bass Pro Shop should have the proper plug and receptacle and you'll want to install a 50amp circuit breaker and run #6 wire..

Nice looking boat for 1800

Thanks for the input... are there any drawbacks to the universal sonar? would it work with the Hummingbird unit I am looking at? Would the DI work with that sonar unit?

It seemed that the guy at BPS told me the hummingbirds didnt function well with the universal built in transducers if I remember correct.

Trailer needs some TLC but works fine...fenders are a mess, I need to figure out how to do something nice with them. Boat cleaned up real well so far...got some more little things to do to it like tidy up the wiring replace some small hardware. To be expected of a boat of this age.

I have the universal sonar on my terrova and it works great. Only drawback are no DI or SI capabilities, and I have emailed them and none are in the works, at least from info they will release to the public!

Jeff