I run a '73 20 CC with a 24V 60" shaft, 80lb thrust Riptide. I upgraded to the head with I-Pilot to include the spot lock. With a pair of Interstate Group 27s (I think 27s), I can troll for a few hours at 2.2 MPH in calm conditions and it will run days if I am just at 0.2 MPH casting a break or whatever. 60" shaft length is plenty for me. I have fished in some pretty gnarly waves and it really never becomes an issue of the TM not working, just me getting tired of getting knocked around.
I agree the anchor lock or spot lock is a sweet deal. Mine is sketchy in very light breeze. It searches around for where it's supposed to be. If there is any steady breeze at all and even a decent wind, the thing holds tight to a spot. I was a skeptic until I took my kids out to fish crappies (yeah, I am in Minnesota) over a reed point on the windward side of the lake. I locked the spot down and the motor held the bow in the whitecaps and allowed us to flip jigs 15' behind the boat and not worry about anything.
Also, I added an on board charger right away when I got the TM. It was only a two bank charger. Nice but didn't hit the starting battery. I have since gone to the "smart" Minn Kota three bank charger so it keeps both TM batteries and the starting battery topped up all the time. Good for when I forget to switch off the damned Lowrance GPS antenna.
Scot
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Temerity => 1973 20' CC
Jitters => 13' Whaler
At Large on Lake Superior
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