Non-big box trolling motor dealer? (Minkota)

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Hey guys, checking to see if anybody has a non-big box trolling motor dealer they'd recommend. I'm looking to upgrade my 2013 Terrova to a new(er) Ulterra with the GPS puck. I would likely need to have the motor shipped.

Thank you in advance!

 

[Macintosh]

Wish I had a rec, I just checked and the place I got my ultrex and talon from has gone out of business. Shame, he was great. I’ll follow along for next time.

 

[yfarm]

Minn Kota shows 3 dealer/service centers around Okoboji and Shamrock Boat Sales in Carnarvon Iowa, a town I have never heard of near Wall Lake?

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

I will check those out and thank you. Carnavon is a fairly short drive between me and Ft. Dodge, and the Okoboji guys would be about 2.5 hours away.

 

[cardiac5]

Glenn’s reel and rod repair in Iowa is highly recommended by the best older model outboard mechanic I know. I found mine a few hundred cheaper at Reed’s during Covid. Couldn’t believe it was even in stock.


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[Fowl Play]

I’ve purchased the majority of my boats electronics from Hodges Marine. Chartplotters, radar, trolling motor, thru hull transducers. The works. https://www.hodgesmarine.com/top-brands/minn-kota.html

 

[wapitibob]

trollingmotors dot net is where I just bought my Terrova. They now have $200 off, shipped the same day I bought it.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Glenn’s reel and rod repair in Iowa is highly recommended by the best older model outboard mechanic I know. I found mine a few hundred cheaper at Reed’s during Covid. Couldn’t believe it was even in stock.


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Dang, he's got some pretty good prices on the reconditioned motors with 1 year factory warranty.

Anybody have any experience with a reconditioned TM or with Minkota customer service?

 

[tp308]

Tri-State Trolling Motor Repair: MotorGuide. Minn Kota. Trolling Motor Repair. Warranty Repair

Trolling Motor Repair and Sales. Trolling Motor Parts. Marine Electronics Supercenter. MotorGuide. Minn Kota. Lowrance. Humminbird. Nucanoe. Trolling Motor Warranty Repair. Batteries. Chargers. Boat Accessories.

www.tristatetrollingmotor.com

These guys are knowledgeable and have been helpful to me in the past.

 

[TSAMP]

Glenn's Reel & Rod Repair - Rod, Reel, and Trolling Motor Experts

Glenn's Reel & Rod Repair - Rod, Reel, and Trolling Motor Experts in sales and service. Check out our new and Factory Reconditioned products!

www.glennsreel.com

I bought mine from here. Tried to buy a refurbished but it sold locally after I clicked buy. He honored the price on a new unit. No complaints

It's in DSM

 

[TSAMP]

Dang, he's got some pretty good prices on the reconditioned motors with 1 year factory warranty.

Anybody have any experience with a reconditioned TM or with Minkota customer service?

Two buddies of mine bought reconditioned units. No issues. I think part availability is good with minnkota so I wouldn't worry about it. The majority of issues you could fix yourself.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Two buddies of mine bought reconditioned units. No issues. I think part availability is good with minnkota so I wouldn't worry about it. The majority of issues you could fix yourself.

That's great news. I have a 2013 Lund 1675 deep V, and it came with a 60"/80lb Terrova. It's been a great motor, especially on the small electric-only lakes in this area. However, it has the old spot-lock technology that can't be upgraded. This is a constant pain point for me when trying to fish mid-lake structure as the boat wil sway 40-50' or more, and if it's windy at all, it's worthless and we're back to front and rear physical anchors.

I'm looking for a newer (they updated the spot lock tech in 2016 I believe) Ulterra with warranty for a few reasons.

-auto stow/deploy/trim would be a game changer for me and my wife as she fishes out of the front of the boat and often manages these functions when we're on the water. We're not getting any younger, and this would be a great convenience feature for us and save our backs.

-spot lock with jog would be awesome for parking over submerged brush and rock piles and exploring precisely to find that "spot on the spot". It would also reduce my blood pressure and cussing due to fighting the wind

-we don't troll that much, but at some point I'd like to take a deeper dive into iPilot and iPilot link

 

[TSAMP]

That's great news. I have a 2013 Lund 1675 deep V, and it came with a 60"/80lb Terrova. It's been a great motor, especially on the small electric-only lakes in this area. However, it has the old spot-lock technology that can't be upgraded. This is a constant pain point for me when trying to fish mid-lake structure as the boat wil sway 40-50' or more, and if it's windy at all, it's worthless and we're back to front and rear physical anchors.

I'm looking for a newer (they updated the spot lock tech in 2016 I believe) Ulterra with warranty for a few reasons.

-auto stow/deploy/trim would be a game changer for me and my wife as she fishes out of the front of the boat and often manages these functions when we're on the water. We're not getting any younger, and this would be a great convenience feature for us and save our backs.

-spot lock with jog would be awesome for parking over submerged brush and rock piles and exploring precisely to find that "spot on the spot". It would also reduce my blood pressure and cussing due to fighting the wind

-we don't troll that much, but at some point I'd like to take a deeper dive into iPilot and iPilot link

I hear ya. The ulterra with those features are alot more moving parts. I have a newer terova and used it extensively trolling for walleye last summer on Rainey lake solo in the mornings. I had 3 rods out and was hands free ripping lips and it was glorious letting that thing follow it's tracks. I was the dude in the camo duck boat. Got lots of looks up there on thay big water.

 

[KurtR]

Tough to beat scheels they have customer service thats top notch and I know a bunch of guys who have had problems with minkota and they get it taken care of fast or get you a new unit

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Tough to beat scheels they have customer service thats top notch and I know a bunch of guys who have had problems with minkota and they get it taken care of fast or get you a new unit

That's good to know as well. I've always had great experiences at Scheels.

 

[mtnwkr]

My buddy has been buying boat electronics from mygreenoutdoors for a couple years and swears by them..

 

[spur60]

Dakota Angler in Sioux Falls SD has a sale going on certain TM models right now.

https://www.facebook.com/dakotaangler/posts/pfbid0226opgXbCHPB4nex4y7hwjPZRBGGBFZ3X5JqDzDPKYswprLyxoHCUbgpxZ6anLuPql

 

[Fowl Play]

Sidebar, not sure if you are salt or fresh. But the trolling motor plug itself is hugely critical to a reliable system. I have had multiple failures on different types. The Minnkota MKR-28 plug is by far the best I have found and stopped all my plug related issues. I am not sure if they come standard with the new Minn-Kotas or not but worth the upgrade if they do not.

Minn Kota Mkr-28 Trolling Motor Plug & Receptacle

Minn Kota MKR28 Trolling Motor Plug amp ReceptacleMKR28 Trolling Motor Plug amp ReceptacleThe MKR28 trolling Motor Plug and Receptacle provides continuous power and are rated to 60 amps up to 48V Designed for freshwater and saltwater applicat...

www.hodgesmarine.com

 

[wapitibob]

They updated all the gps tech for 2024, I wouldn't buy refurbished or a 2023 i-pilot version personally.

 

[Wapiti1]

I've bought three Minn Kota's from Glenn's with no issues over the last 15 years and two boats. All were refurbished year or two old motors. Latest is a 112lb Riptide Ulterra i-pilot I've had since last fall.

Jeremy