I’m surprised that it would not work even though you kept the battery warm. I left my Ion Alpha and battery outside on the auger yesterday for three hours while I was fishing, and it stopped working even though the battery showed full charge. Once the battery warmed back up it worked normally. I have had the auger for two years now, and have always left the whole unit outside while fishing. It was a good learning experience that the battery can freeze up when it is -15 out.

I had a 2010 Mercury Milan for ten years. The Milan is on the same platform as the Fusion with Mercury badging. It was a reliable car. Mine was the 2.5L 4 cylinder with an automatic. I sold it at 140k miles, and bought a truck. The only larger repairs I had done to it were a transmission fluid leak, and the power steering rack and pinion. The other thing I would look for is rust on the rocker panels. The rockers on my car started rusting out from the inside. This is a common problem on Fusions.

Nice to hear that others have had good luck with these batteries. I bought two Optima D31M’s in 2020 for my 24V Terrova. They have been great so far. I just fished two full days on Winnie with no access to overnight charging at the campsite. The batteries were running strong at the end of the 2nd day, and we used the trolling motor a lot. When I’m not camping I use a Minn Kota Precision charger.

I own a 1992 Angler II tiller with a 40 hp Mercury. It has been a great boat for me and the lakes I fish. I haven’t been out on any big water with it, but think it would be fine as long as you pick your days. The motor trolls down perfectly for crankbaits and tops out around 27-28 mph when loaded. The boat would get tight if you plan on fishing with three guys. It also has limited rod storage. Other than that it is a great boat.

I was in Park Rapids 12/23-12/27. We had 9-10 inches of ice. Fished 18-24 feet and had good pike action jigging big spoons during the day. Caught one nice walleye after dark on a tip up.

Thanks guys. Will probably get a Terrova. I don’t like the stow and deploy lever on the Powerdrive.