Minn Kota Terrova Review: Is It Worth It?

Minn Kota Terrova Review

Minn Kota Terrova review

Are you looking for a reliable, efficient trolling motor? Look no further than the Minn Kota Terrova! It is one of the leading trolling motors on the market today and has so many great features that make it stand out from its competitors.

With innovative technology such as AutoPilot, Spot-Lock anchor system, digital electronics, stow and deploy lever arm, trigger-controlled power steering, foot pedal navigation, and i-Pilot Link with Bluetooth connectivity you can take your next fishing experience to external heights!

The Terrova grinding out levels both comfort and convenience for any angler’s journey to help bring in the biggest catches possible. Whether you’re an avid fisherman or just getting into it there’s something about this electric motor that has made even the greatest of perfectionists give it satisfaction.

Let’s get started discovering all these amazing features Minn Kota Terrova has to offer!

Last update on 2024-05-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Introduce the Minn Kota Terrova

Take your fishing excursions to the next level with the Minn Kota Terrova! This revolutionary trolling motor offers powerful thrust, providing incredible reliability and control in freshwater. With three voltage options – 112-pound (36-volt), 80-pound (24-volt), and 55-pound (12-volt). Choose from three shaft lengths – 45”, 54”, 60”, or 72′ – there’s something to fit any boat.

Make fast direction changes with heels/toe pedals or left/right buttons. Reach top speeds with the rotary speed control dial and AutoPilot toggle. Enjoy easy deployment with fallaway ramps and easy foot deployment. You can even get Lift Assist technology which helps you raise or lower your motor when transporting it from boat to shore.

Additionally, this bow-mounted minnow motor attaches securely to the front of your boat with a bolt-on bracket so you can move effectively through the water. Finally, its wireless remote system makes deployment effortless! Upgrade your travels today with the Terrova!

What Do You Need to Consider When Buying a Trolling Motor?

What Do You Need to Consider When Buying a Trolling Motor?

Ease of Use

Choosing a motor with an intuitive and user-friendly design is important for anglers of all levels. The Terrova fits this category perfectly with its trigger-controlled power steering, foot pedal navigation, and AutoPilot feature.

Battery Capacity/Power

You’ll need to consider how long you plan on being in the water when selecting the battery capacity for your trolling motor.

Ensure your day of fishing remains uninterrupted by outfitting yourself with the right trolling motor. Overworked batteries can drain too quickly, leaving you stranded in open waters and having to paddle back – a situation we strongly advise against! Save time and money while getting more mileage from each battery charge by investing in an electric set-up designed for maximum power efficiency.

Different models offer different levels of thrust power. Make sure you choose the option that best suits your boat size and the type of fishing you plan on doing.

The Terrova comes with three voltage options – 112-pound (36-volt), 80-pound (24-volt), or 55-pound (12-volt) – so there’s something to fit any boat size.

Quietness

Nobody wants to scare away the fish with loud motors. You’ll want a trolling motor that offers a quiet operation, so you can better enjoy your time out on the water. The Minn Kota Terrova is designed for low-noise performance with its digital electronics and anti-feedback steering mechanism.

Standard Features

It’s important to be aware of the features included with your motor. Make sure you check out all the available options so you can make an informed decision when picking the right trolling motor for you.

The Terrova comes fully loaded with state-of-the-art features, including a Lock anchor system, digital electronics, stow and deploy lever arm, trigger-controlled power steering, foot pedal navigation, and i-Pilot Link with Bluetooth connectivity.

Price

When shopping for a trolling motor, price is always an important factor. Quality motors can be expensive, but often they’re worth it in terms of durability and performance.

Key Technical Specs

For Use: Freshwater

Motor Style: Electric-steer

Mounting Location: Bow-mount

Shaft Lengths: 45-inch, 54-inch, 60-inch, or 72-inch

Voltage: 12-volt, 24-volt, or 36-volt

Max Thrust: 55 lbs, 80 lbs, or 112 lbs

GPS Control System: i-Pilot or i-Pilot Link

Sonar Imaging: Mega Down Imaging or Universal Sonar 2 (not available on all Terrova models)

Foot Pedal Style: Heel-Toe / Electric

Key Features

Lift-Assist Design: A spring-loaded assembly keeps your trolling motor stowed in place with ease and convenience. No more straining to get it into position!

Stow/Deploy Lever: slides your fall-away ramps into the water providing optimum performance and convenience.

i-Pilot GPS Trolling System: Pinpoint exact locations with Spot Locks, save precise paths to ensure successful returns to productive areas, and set speeds according to terrain or species of interest – all easily managed from the convenient large LCD screen.

Spot-Lock with Jog: Unlock the power of Spot-Lock and Jog with i-Pilot’s unparalleled GPS accuracy – no more having to physically move your trolling motor! i-Pilot offers Jog capability, allowing you to move five feet in any direction for easy maneuvering. Command total control from either your Humminbird fish finder or i-Pilot remote for an effortless fishing experience.

AutoPilot™: traverse the waters confidently and accurately. Simply point your trolling motor in the desired direction of travel, then sit back as it autonomously keeps you steady- even correcting for wind, waves, and current.

Electric Foot Pedal: Enjoy a comfortable, low-profile design with two convenient options to steer – the heel/toe pedal and left/right steering buttons. With Spot-Lock activation, rotary speed control dials, momentary & constant toggles as well as AutoPilot capabilities – all included in an 18′ waterproof cable complete with connector plug – you’re sure to enjoy smooth sailing on any successful angling voyage.

Summarize the Pros and Cons

Push-to-Test Battery Meter: Instantly check your remaining battery life 

Digital Maximizer™: you can enjoy up to five times longer run time on a single battery charge! With variable-speed trolling motors, fishermen everywhere can easily customize their boat’s speed and harness only the power they need – allowing them to cast lines with confidence all day long.

Weedless Wedge™ 2 Prop: is a trusted companion for any fisherman – with swept-back flared blades designed to ensure effortless gliding through anything, you won’t need to worry about exhausting battery power battling weeds and debris.

Indestructible Composite Shaft: an indestructible composite shaft – exclusively designed for Minn Kota’s motors and covered by a lifetime guarantee!

Mobile App Compatibility: Enjoy total control of your fishing excursions with the i-Pilot mobile app. Available on Apple® and Android™ devices, you can set speed, steering direction, spot lock position – even update software from virtually anywhere! Harnessing this advanced technology ensures that every trip is a success.

Summarize the Pros and Cons

Pros:

– A motor that aids in staying on the spot with Spot-lock while fishing and helps catch more fish and be more consistent.

– Easy to deploy and bring in with the lift assist.

– It’s quiet and well-built.

– It holds its charge for a long time.

– Easy to set up and use.

– The foot control lays flatter so you don’t need a recessed pedal tray to keep from getting a jacked-up lower back from fishing all day.

– Wind, waves, and currents were once big problems for boat anglers. But with Minn Kota, it was no longer a problem.

Cons:

– The Terranova has a lot of overhangs, which could damage it when at the dock.

– The instructions on how to use all the functions are not very clear, but YouTube comes through.

– Just use for freshwater.

Choosing the Right Minn Kota Terrova for Your Boat

Shaft Length

Minn Kota 1358893 Terrova Freshwater Electric-Steer Bow-Mount Trolling Motor with Universal Sonar 2 & i-Pilot GPS, 80 lbs Thrust, 45' Shaft
234 Reviews
Minn Kota 1358893 Terrova Freshwater Electric-Steer Bow-Mount Trolling Motor with Universal Sonar 2 & i-Pilot GPS, 80 lbs Thrust, 45″ Shaft
  • The Minn Kota Terrova features an easy-to-deploy system of fallaway ramps that effortlessly slide the trolling motor into the water, plus a spring-loaded Lift-Assist design for easy stowing.
  • A low-profile electric foot pedal offers two steering options (heel/toe pedal and left/right steering buttons) and includes Spot-Lock activation, rotary speed control dial, momentary/constant on toggle, and AutoPilot on/off toggle.
  • Using GPS to lock onto fishing spots with Spot-Lock, record paths, and command speed, the i-Pilot Link system allows you to control your motor from the touchscreen remote or from a virtual remote on your Humminbird fish finder (sold separately).
  • Offering optimal sonar performance to help you find fish, the built-in Universal Sonar 2 keeps your transducer and wiring completely concealed and protected, running everything through the trolling motor’s shaft with shielded connectors.
  • This Minn Kota Terrova has a 45-inch shaft length, features 80 pounds of thrust (24 volts), and includes a multi-function foot pedal, heading sensor, mounting hardware and cabling, and i-Pilot GPS system.

Last update on 2024-05-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

When considering which shaft length is best for your boat, it’s essential to remember the importance of submerging. To ensure maximum efficiency and performance, Minn Kota suggests a minimum motor immersion depth of 12 inches to get the optimum results from your prop.

The Terrova has Shaft Lengths options of 45-inch, 54-inch, 60-inch, or 72-inch respectively. This makes it easy to choose the right length for your boat. Remember that you must know your boat measurements before buying a trolling motor.

Thrust Power and Voltage

Minn Kota 1358884 Terrova Freshwater Electric-Steer Bow-Mount Trolling Motor with MEGA Down Imaging & i-Pilot Link GPS, 80 lbs Thrust, 60' Shaft
36 Reviews
Minn Kota 1358884 Terrova Freshwater Electric-Steer Bow-Mount Trolling Motor with MEGA Down Imaging & i-Pilot Link GPS, 80 lbs Thrust, 60″ Shaft
  • The Minn Kota Terrova features an easy-to-deploy system of fall away ramps that effortlessly slide the trolling motor into the water, plus a spring-loaded Lift-Assist design for easy stowing.
  • A low-profile electric foot pedal offers two steering options (heel/toe pedal and left/right steering buttons) and includes Spot-Lock activation, rotary speed control dial, momentary/constant on toggle, and Autopilot on/off toggle.
  • Using GPS to lock onto fishing spots with Spot-Lock, record paths, and command speed, the I-Pilot Link system allows you to control your motor from the touchscreen remote or from a virtual remote on your Hummingbird fish finder (sold separately).
  • Offering optimal sonar performance to help you find fish, the built-in Universal Sonar 2 keeps your transducer and wiring completely concealed and protected, running everything through the trolling motor’s shaft with shielded connectors.
  • This Minn Kota Terrova has a 60-inch shaft length, features 80 pounds of thrust (24 volts), and includes a multi-function foot pedal, heading sensor, mounting hardware and cabling, and I-Pilot Link GPS system.

Last update on 2024-05-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

When hunting for the right motor, boat weight should not be overlooked. Generally speaking, two pounds of the thrust are necessary per 100 lbs of your fully equipped vessel – people and belongings included! To avoid any surprises in windy or strong current conditions, however, adding a bit more strength to your propulsion is recommended.

With two thrust options of 55 pounds (12V), 80 pounds (24V), and 112 pounds (36V), the Minn Kota Terrova can push weights up to 2750 lbs to 5600 lbs.

So you can easily choose a motor suitable for your boat whether it is a small boat (like a kayak) or a large one (like a bass boat).

GPS Control System: i-Pilot or i-Pilot Link

Key Features

Terrova models are equipped with the latest in Minn Kota’s intuitive GPS systems: i-Pilot and its advanced version, i-Pilot Link. These revolutionary wireless systems offer fishermen speed control at their fingertips – as well as Spot-Lock for stable anchoring and path recording/retracing capabilities.

Moreover, i-Pilot Link with an easily customizable color touchscreen remote, And if you want even more insight into your environment below the waterline? The integration of a Humminbird fish finder makes that possible too!

Sonar Imaging: Mega Down Imaging or Universal Sonar 2

Minn Kota 1358858 Terrova Freshwater Electric-Steer Bow-Mount Trolling Motor with Universal Sonar 2, i-Pilot Link GPS & Digital Maximizer, 55 lbs Thrust, 54' Shaft
20 Reviews
Minn Kota 1358858 Terrova Freshwater Electric-Steer Bow-Mount Trolling Motor with Universal Sonar 2, i-Pilot Link GPS & Digital Maximizer, 55 lbs Thrust, 54″ Shaft
  • 54″ Shaft, 12v, 55 lbs Thrust
  • Universal Sonar 2: Keeps your transducer and wiring completely concealed and protected, running everything through the trolling motor’s shaft, with shielded connectors
  • i-Pilot Link Integrated GPS Trolling System: i-Pilot Link gives you unprecedented control over your boat by linking your trolling motor to your Humminbird fish finder. Control your trolling motor from Link’s color touch-screen remote or the Humminbird. You can set Spot-Locks, record paths, follow depth contours, automatically navigate to your favorite spots, control speed and steering, and more
  • Digital Maximizer: Provides up to 5 times longer run time on a single battery charge. These variable speed trolling motors let you dial in your exact speed, and they deliver only as much power as you need, helping to conserve your battery for a full day of fishing
  • Weedless Wedge 2 Prop: With swept-back flared blades to power through anything without battery-draining chopping and hacking, the Weedless Wedge 2 is one of the most trusted props in fishing

Last update on 2024-05-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Terrova models with a built-in Humminbird MEGA DownSonar Imaging: Mega Down Imaging or Universal Sonar 2 Imaging transducer give anglers an unparalleled view of the underwater world by directly connecting to your compatible fish finder. Models featuring Furthermore, Universal Sonar 2 ensures that trolling motor shafts stay free from wires and clamps while keeping your protected transducer concealed and shielded for ultimate peace of mind every time you’re out on the lake.
Not all Terrova models provide the benefit of sonar or MEGA Down imaging – make sure you select a model that fits your needs!

FAQs

What’s the difference between PowerDrive and Terrova?

PowerDrive is a reliable motor with exceptional features like Digital Maximizer, which allows you to stay on the water longer. It can also be controlled by a foot pedal or wireless remote. Terrova has all of these features and more such as Spot-Lock for anchoring, i-Pilot Link for advanced GPS control, stow/deploy technology, lift assist design, and composite shaft.

For the avid angler, the Terrova offers serious advantages in helping to reel in a bigger catch. Meanwhile, PowerDrive is suited for occasional fishing outings with inflatable boats, providing lightweight and budget-friendly support.

Do all Minn Kota Terrova have i-Pilot?

No, some models come with the basic i-Pilot while some have just the basic wired foot pedal. For those without it as standard, never fear – you can upgrade at any time by purchasing a kit.

Does Terrova have a built-in GPS?

Yes, many of the Minn Kota has built-in GPS. i-Pilot and its advanced version, i-Pilot Link, offer fishermen speed control at their fingertips as well as Spot-Lock for stable anchoring and path recording/retracing capabilities. Additionally, if you want even more insight into your environment below the waterline, integration with a Humminbird fish finder is also possible.

Can I use my Terrova trolling motor on salt water?

Minn Kota motors are designed for freshwater use, so it is not recommended to use the Terrova on salt water. Saltwater can cause corrosion and damage to the motor’s components, leading to decreased performance or even a shortened lifespan of your trolling motor. If you need a trolling motor for saltwater, look into purchasing a model specifically designed for such applications.

What kind of warranty does Minn Kota Terrova come with?

Minn Kota offers a two-year limited factory warranty on the Terrova trolling motor and its components. This includes parts, labor, and return shipping charges should you need to make a claim. Additional coverage options may be available through your local retailer or dealer if desired. See the full details at minnkotamotors.com/warranty for more information about this warranty and any additional coverage available for purchase.

What is the difference between Spot-Lock and i-Pilot?

i-Pilot is Minn Kota’s advanced GPS that not only allows you to control the motor speed but also features path recording/retracing capabilities, spot lock, and many more features for an enhanced trolling experience.

Spot-Lock is a feature that comes with the i-Pilot and Link systems. This feature uses GPS coordinates to allow your boat to remain in one location, regardless of wind or current. It’s great for fishing spots, dock locations, or any other stationary point you’d like your boat to stay at.

What size trolling motor do I need for a 20-foot boat?

What size trolling motor do I need for a 20-foot boat

It depends on the type of boat you have and what you intend to use it for. Generally speaking, boats between 18′-20′ should consider upgrading to a 36-volt system for optimal power, yet still, the 24V trolling motor has enough power to handle any situation on the water. The ideal configuration for this size of a bass boat is an 80lbs thrust machine, designed specifically for 52″-60″ shafts and operating at 24 volts.

Conclusion

All in all, the Minn Kota Terrova is a great trolling motor for your boat. With its many features and power options, you are sure to find the perfect fit for your needs. Be sure to take into account the size of your boat when selecting a motor, as well as the type of fishing you plan on doing.

And finally, always test drive the motor before you make your final purchase to be sure it is right for you. Be sure to consider all of the factors we’ve discussed in this blog post before making your final decision. Choosing the right trolling motor makes all the difference when out on the water, so take your time and choose wisely!

Thanks for reading our article. If you have any questions, leave a comment below. You can see more posts on our website here.

Further reading

Things to Know about Off-Shore Fishing

Tips for Fishing From a Boat

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