Maxxum or Terrova

I am looking for input from anyone that has switched from a Maxxum (or other cable steer) to a Terrova. I have used cable steer for over 20 years, currently have a Maxxum and absolutely love it. I am looking at a new boat, 19′ glass, and need to decide which unit to include. 80+ percent of my time is casting – musky, northern, bass, and walleye – I end up in some shallow, weedy areas and being able to pull the Maxxum up a little to get out of those areas has saved me on several occasions. Also get into some tight spots that require fast steering response. I have no experience with a Terrova so curious what anyone has for comments on use in shallow areas, steering response, power consumption, etc..

if you want agility and most importantly the ability to quickly lift the motor, then the Maxxum is the best choice. I had Maxxum’s on my Skeeter bass boats for 15 years, recently switched to a MX series and use the Terrova, it took awhile to get used to power drive steering, but it’s also nice to take your foot completely off the pedal and not have to worry about it spinning… I also find myself using auto-pilot and spot lock all the time now, can’t get those on a Maxxum, so there are trade-offs…

there is a guy who put a terrova on a bass boat and is manuvering around in tight standing trees and thought it did fairly well.

I was a cable steer guy since dirt was made. When I heard about spot lock I went kicking and screaming finally gave in. I don`t think you could tear it out of my cold dead hands now.

It actually is BETTER at least to me then cable drive. The Terrovas are fast when turning nice to get my foot off the pedal especially when it is windy, or need to change baits the guy in the back of the boat does not suffer. Get a good fish on I can use AP or spot lock and go help with out loosing control of the boat. Shallow water I pick up the shaft and readjust the depth and I dont have to hold onto the rope. Cruise control is great for working shorelines with AP I can spend my time fishing not on boat control.

The only thing I do not like is the speed control it is too soft and cannot tell when I have moved it or not unless I am making big changes. I am doing a cure for that with a piece of plastic that will drag on the control some so I can feel the resistance.

I gave up my Maxxum kicking & screaming. The absolute precision that you have with a cable steer is still missed but the Terrova with Ipilot has so many features that get used regularly I would probably be lost without it now. The ability to simply leave the bow without getting blown off a spot is a very big deal to me, as is being able to control the trolling motor from anywhere in the boat via remote. Additionally choosing a heading and letting the motor drive for me allows me to be significantly more efficient and productive.

Since I spend the majority of my time these days fishing open water and using techniques that simply cannot be done as easily with a cable steer, the Terrova is indispensable to me.

If I was spending 80% of my time casting, I’d likely still have my Maxxum mounted on my boat rather than in my garage, for the same reasons that you listed.

I got rid of the Terrova and switched back to a fortrex. I had the gps go out. The last one would not keep anchor lock as well as the original one the 2nd one was unusable. It would drift off course 20 to 40 feet before readjusting then it over shot just as far. Had certified Minnkota shop check it out and a Minnkota rep. It was still in there specs so tough beans. SO I went back to cable and couldn’t be happier. I bass fish 80% of the time the only reason I kept the Terrova for so long was the anchor lock it is sub par compared to cable for most bass applications. Anchor lock and drop shotting was a perfect match until the last gps unit also the thing was well cared for why did gps fail of course after warranty period.

Mwal

I just got a powerdrive v2 with Ipilot and I am pretty excited to use it this year. My boat still had the original 1996 Evinrude intruder 44f on it. Great motor but the second you took your foot off the pedal it turned. Trolling walleyes on leech became a problem because we kept getting blown way off of position anytime we caught a fish.

However just like mono, cable driven motors will always have their place.