Ulterra owners – How's the motor holding up?

Thinking of finally making the jump from my Terrova next year, curious how the mechanicals are holding up with the Auto Stow/Deploy? Especially those who’ve owned the original year release?

Mine is a ’15 or ’16. No problems. We have 2 more of them in our group, no problems there either. We all carry the instructions and tools to manually stow if need be.

Mine is a 2017 zero problems. Spot lock works great. Love it.

When you order, order a shaft length at least 6″ longer than your current model. I ordered the same shaft length as my old model and have some cavitation issues because the motor housing is about 6″ taller on the Ulterra to accommodate the self deploy/stow motor.

Interesting. Almost all of the second hand info I’ve heard is bad. Heard it was common to experience auto stow/deploy issues. Once again, that’s all second hand, unverified info.

Good to hear first hand info.

I have an early model of Ulterra. I had many problems with the power head/electrical until they finally agreed to swap to the blue tooth head after sending to warranty several times. I didn’t have any mechanical issues at all, and have had zero issues with anything since blue tooth install. It’s certainly a luxury item. It’s still hard not to smile every time it goes up/down and you are in the back of the boat.

Luxury item yes, however I consider it a safety item also. Every time the winds blowing and I don’t have the venture to the front deck to stow or deploy and risk falling overboard. In my 30’s it wasn’t much of a issue, today everything becomes a issue.

Dutchboy wrote:

Luxury item yes, however I consider it a safety item also. Every time the winds blowing and I don’t have the venture to the front deck to stow or deploy and risk falling overboard. In my 30’s it wasn’t much of a issue, today everything becomes a issue.

This is where the extra shaft length comes into play for me. I only get to use my $2,000 motor on flat ass calm days.

Have it a month and love it.! I can go fishing by myself now.last time at the ramp the guy said very loud :: hey stop stop you didn”t tight your boat yet.! I smiled and hit deploy button…and he said: oh wow is that a new thing.?

Had mine since April. No problems with the motor. The spot lock is awesome. My wife loves the auto pilot when trolling. No more getting yelded at for not knowing how to drive a boat straight.

I haven’t used mine a bunch but no problems with it so far. I don’t have any regrets buying it.

I have an early model, no problems at all, Love it!

1 st year I had a few issues. This years, minor issues that were addressed. Flawless since. Very old guy friendly, especially in rough water! There are things you need to be aware of not to do, especially with the long 72 inch shafts. Do not attempt to deploy or store while the boat is under power. There is just enough flex in the shaft that a binding effect can occur causing an error. The 60 inch stuff has been excellent.

2017 model has worked great all season. No issues. The new spot lock is worth every penny of the upgrade.

Mine is of the first 36v 112lb, 60″ shaft US2 Ulterras out that had the Link. I had an issue of the manual black knob that wouldn’t set on as it should and had a few malfunction beeps go off. As this was happening my shaft grooved edges became lightly chattered up. My repair shop tried to get Minnkota to replace the shaft but since it was working and not impairing it’s operation MK would not replace it

I took it in to get it looked into and have had little issue until end of the year last year. Seemed to get confused a bit. Went into the shop early this spring and they did all updates and haven’t had an issue since as long as I have satellite reception. There seems to be an area on Lake Oahe that will give it an issue for satellite reception.

I can honestly say that it performs as designed.

good to hear, thanks for the input!

One wrote:

Have it a month and love it.! I can go fishing by myself now.last time at the ramp the guy said very loud :: hey stop stop you didn”t tight your boat yet.! I smiled and hit deploy button…and he said: oh wow is that a new thing.?

I haven’t done that yet. I’m more concerned about operator error then with the unit.
Did I plug it in.
Did I turn it on.
Did I slide it out on the extension plate.

Just makes me too nervous on the river. A quick 1/2 self deploy test should end my fears I guess.

With the ’17 model, I would buy it again. Thanks for recommending it Dean!

Any experiences below 10°F?

FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

Any experiences below 10°F?

Were they designed to work at -10? Just asking, I haven’t read the manual or asked.

Ok minn Kota, if your listening… Install a heater band in the next line of trolling motors and I’m sold.

Interesting question FBRM. I searched the MK site looking for their operating range because there are a lot of people that use electrics over the winter (on the river). Couldn’t find a temp. Guess it would be a call or email to MK, but I’m really not that interested in knowing.

I believe as long as it deploys, it will work. (and that might be the issue).

Yes, only asking if people have used it when the shaft is covered in ice. Will it stow/deploy.

And, does it freeze up when stowed?

First hand experience in my buddies boat on the Rainy River spring of 2016 during a nasty cold snap. The shaft did ice up and got wedged when trying to raise and stow.

Would I own one on my boat, with the improved anchor lock accuracy the answer is a definite yes!

Thanks Ryan, kind of figured it would ice up like the rest. Thanks for sharing first hand experience.

I have had the Ulterra 1 season…..love the deploy feature
no issues

I have had a problem when the motor was stowed it would not go to deploy on the controller, it would stay on stow. I was looking around the bottom of the mounting base on the motor and moved a part that is spring loaded and it moved forward. I then had a deploy indication on my controller. I looked at a parts schematic and I believe the part is:Cam, Pin sensor W/magnet. #618.
I have not seen anyone talk about this on any of the forums.

Last summer was the first season with mine. Initially had some stowing issues but traced those to a faulty plug – not the Ulterra.

Really appreciate less movement in the boat, especially with colder water temps.

Mine is three or four years old. No problems. Love it.

I believe the issue sometimes is battery related. If there isn’t enough juice, it can’t auto deploy and/or stow as it is intended to. Talons operate the same way. If you’re that worried about it not deploying or stowing automatically, keep a closer eye on your battery power. Or get a model that has manual operation like a Terrova.

My Ulterra didn’t like fishing on Sunday morning with a 18 degree start to the day. Deployed and went down about 70% of the way and then gave me an error. I raised it up a little and the error cleared and I was able to fish with it raised up a bit. Once the sun hit it for a while it warmed up and I was able to lower it all the way down. I don’t think I will try it much colder than that. I guess I just need to buy a terrova for a spare and use in the winter.