Ulterra or Terrova? If you were me

Alumacraft Competitor CS on order. I “think” I like how the Ulterra auto-deploys, but I don’t want any issues with that feature when I’m on the water. I run-and-gun quite a bit and I don’t mind having to manually reply the trolling motor….and, if the Ulterra deploys really slow…well, that might cost me a couple of casts, and that’s not good.
Gotta admit, though, auto-deploy looks cool and who doesn’t want to look cool when your on the water (Pete)?

The complaints that I have seen on this board about Ulterra is the freezing during arctic fishing conditions. Personally, I don’t fish in those conditions and absolutely love my Ulterra, or did until I just recently sold the boat. My new Ulterra has been on order for like 2 months. I don’t know if Terrovas are any easier to get but it might be another factor in your decision making process. Bad news is might be months before your could get either one. I have a new boat in the garage and get get a trolling motor, electronics or downriggers for it. It will probably all show up about the time all the lakes are capped with ice.

Another thread on the topic.

Terrova vs Ulterra

If you ALWAYS fish from the bow of your boat I would consider a terrova, if not I’d go ulterra. Its so nice to just sit back behind the windshield and never have to walk up from. Huge safety benefit in rough water as well. I’ve had the very occasional deploy error when it’s near or below freezing but a quick cycle of the button and it’s fully deployed again.

I’ve had 3 terrovas and figured I’d try the ulterra on my new lund pro guide. Complete garbage IMO. It broke this summer which required a new controller (head). Worked fine afterwards until our annual fall fishing trip on Cass until it decided it was to cold to work correctly. It’s heading back to a minnkota service place in the spring and will be for sale CHEAP. I’m going back to a terrova!

I Have a Terrova and have been fishing with a buddy lately with the ulterra. I’ll have an ulterra very soon.

Deploys fast and is super convenient to deploy as you are getting on your spot.

If I could do it again I’d get the ulterra.

just order a boat and no wait on ullterra if you want one but i got a terrova, also scheels has ullterra in stock, 60 and 72

Terrova for me. I fish up front most of the time.

I’ve had a ulterra before and it worked great. I’ve been on a trip with buddies and they have have ulterras not work. It kind wrecks the trip when you don’t have a working trolling motor. New boat we put on a terrova but the control board went out of that this summer. Its a crap shoot if you get a good one or not. If you go with the ulterra just make sure there is no pressure on the shaft when stowing or deploying.

I’m on the bow 100% of the time. And, priority is that TM doesn’t break down. My boat is useless w/o a functioning TM.

I am on my second Ulterra, new one this spring, they both have had their problems. I am like you fish a lot from the front of the boat and hop from hump to hump. It is so nice to be able to come up to a hump, stop 100′ away, use Humminbird to deploy from console, select go to way point, and while the Ulterra is doing it’s thing, pull out rod, sip coffee, enjoy a beer, etc. Also am in big waves much of the time, so nice to deploy/stow from console.

I would never be without the Ulterra. Also make sure you get one long enough as you loose deploy depth due to turn motor. My last boat had 60″ and on my new boat went with 72″. The 72’s fit just fine on the front.

Have you looked at the ultrex? 100% on the bow would lead me to the best foot peddle out there with mega imaging in the sonar head(ulterra I think has mega as well).

Went to the ulterra this year would never go back.

Bought a new tiller boat this spring. Went with the Ulterra so I don’t have to go up to the front to deploy. I’ve had two issues with it but not show stoppers since I have a Vantage also. Called customer service for the fix so I didn’t have to send it in. Both motors are 36 volt. Ulterra is 72 inch based on feed back from this site with losing some of the shaft length due to the motor. Ulterra for me!!

Deuces wrote:

Have you looked at the ultrex? 100% on the bow would lead me to the best foot peddle out there with mega imaging in the sonar head(ulterra I think has mega as well).

Second vote for the Ultrex unless you need a 72″ shaft. Best of both worlds, easy deploy and rock solid mount and very fast foot pedal response.

I have owned my ulterra for three or four seasons now. It’s awesome. I fish it in sub-freezing conditions every year and I fish it a lot. No issues. In fact, I’ve never had any issues with it (knock on wood). I think it saves time because you don’t have to take the time to stow the motor, and more than once I’d forget to do that every day. Now I stow it from the console and I can be moving before it’s done.

If you’re still worried that it will break down on you, get an Ultrex if you can. Or a Lowrance or a Garmin. I’ll never own another terrova if I can avoid it. They’re good motors, but the deploy/stow mechanism is a real pain in my opinion.

I just bought the Ulterra and love it, get all tingly when it deploys (like when i climbed the rope in gym class) i fish till freeze up and really hope there are no cold weather issues. Picking up a new boat tomorrow and it has the Ultrex, i asked him why and he said because of the freezing of the Ulterra issues. I’m swapping them out anyway and keeping my fingers crossed.

Terrova would be my choice. It would be an upgrade for me only for spotlocking vs my v2.

In regards to boat control they’re equal.

Just more to break on ulterra and more money for the non-boat control features.

Even if I liked the extras on ulterra, I couldn’t run one due to icing.

Trolling motors provide propulsion and GPS capabilities, your two models of choice are equal in that respect with the exception of shaft length. Beyond that, it’s your money.

ted-merdan wrote:

Second vote for the Ultrex unless you need a 72″ shaft. Best of both worlds, easy deploy and rock solid mount and very fast foot pedal response.

Third vote for the Ultrex. Cable steering and ipilot/spot lock capabilities.

Didn’t know the Ultrex existed. Based on how I fish, the power steering/quick response, and foot pedal, I think this is the way I’m going to go.
I appreciate y’alls input and suggestions. That’s why I joined this group…dudes have a lot of experience, especially with newer products. I partially built my boat through this forum.

Only thing we ask in return are new boat pics.

It’s porn that’s safe for work for us.

I like big transoms and I cannot lie.

It never ends…boat dealer said the Alumacraft cover would need to be modified because of the Ultrex cable. Then he said the modification might not be possible. I told him he better put his thinking cap on because the right trolling motor is more important than the cover.

My Riptide Ulterra that has been on order for what seems like forever is finally in transit and supposed to arrive by Saturday.

Whatever you get, boat control is enhanced with one of these. Holds a line better and turns waaaaay faster.

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FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

Whatever you get, boat control is enhanced with one of these. Holds a line better and turns waaaaay faster.

Interesting install. I have the same model waiting to go on my motor.

You’ll be happy Dave

FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

You’ll be happy Dave

Whats the motor that it had to be installed backwards? I guess backwards is wrong but motor skeg up front.

SuperDave1959 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:</div>
You’ll be happy Dave

Whats the motor that it had to be installed backwards? I guess backwards is wrong but motor skeg up front.

I didn’t realize it is backward. Is it?
Lol.
This is a powerdrive v2. I did a little custom trimming to the leelock to fit.

I liked this direction should I run aground vs the other, but I guess in the end, it is the surface area that makes the difference irregardless of direction installed.

Protects the prop nicely too

I had one years ago and I’d lay my forehead open every time I’d walk around the front of the boat. The new boat is taller so hope to avoid that this time around.

Tim Chrouser wrote:

It never ends…boat dealer said the Alumacraft cover would need to be modified because of the Ultrex cable. Then he said the modification might not be possible. I told him he better put his thinking cap on because the right trolling motor is more important than the cover.

Suggestion is to scrap the factory cover – just remove it from your deal if at all possible and have a custom cover made to fit your boat like a glove. I believe you will be much happier. Had my previous cover modified 3x over twelve years as I changed trolling motors and just this fall deleted the cover from the purchase of a rig and once my trolling motor is mounted (received ) I am off to the custom cover shop to have one built.

If you already own the cover, take it to a custom shop to get their opinion to confirm what your dealer is saying. Yes the motor is incredibly important and the cover should work with the choice of motor that you make.

Good luck!