Ever wanted an autopilot for your trolling motor? We have, so we tested Minn Kota’s new i-Pilot on a Riptide ST 70 motor, pulling a Ranger 23 bay boat. The attachment replaces the motor’s head and is controlled by a wireless remote, allowing manual and autopilot capabilities.
-The record-a-track feature let us save a track (it can store three) that we steered manually and then, at the push of a button, retrace the track — repeatedly, automatically and within five feet of the original track.
-“Spot lock” works like Mercury’s Skyhook and let us hold the boat over a GPS waypoint we set with a button push — it held us beautifully in 25-knot winds.
-“Recall” let us return to that spot later, automatically, in case we missed a fish the first time.
-By setting a series of waypoints or a heading, we could follow either, even in the wind and current — with no hands or feet.
-It even let us set a steady trolling speed and adjust it in minute increments as the scenery or the fish demanded.
The i-Pilot will integrate with Minn Kota Terrova, PowerDrive V2, Riptide ST or Riptide SP bow-mount trolling motors. $399; basspro.com
