The Boat Scale setting on a Minn Kota trolling motor is a calibration tool that allows anglers to fine-tune how their motor handles steering corrections while using features such as AutoPilot, i-Pilot, and i-Pilot Link. Because every boat behaves differently on the water—some are light and highly responsive, while others are heavy and slow to turn—the trolling motor must be adjusted so it reacts appropriately to changing conditions. The Boat Scale setting provides this adjustment by letting the user control how aggressively the motor attempts to keep a heading or follow a track.
When set to a higher value, Boat Scale causes the trolling motor to steer more forcefully. This is particularly useful for larger, heavier boats that need stronger corrections to stay on course, as well as for situations involving heavy wind, strong current, or offshore conditions where a vessel may drift quickly. Increasing the Boat Scale helps the motor respond sooner and more decisively, keeping the bow pointed where it needs to go.
Conversely, lowering the Boat Scale makes the motor’s steering inputs smoother and less abrupt. Smaller or more agile boats often respond too quickly to aggressive corrections, resulting in zig-zagging or a jerky ride. Reducing the setting helps prevent over-steering and produces a more natural, stable heading, especially when fishing in calm conditions or when precise, quiet boat control is important.
Adjusting the Boat Scale is a simple process performed through the trolling motor’s remote by accessing the menu and increasing or decreasing the setting based on how the boat behaves. Anglers typically experiment within the available range to find the ideal balance for their own vessel.
Ultimately, the Boat Scale setting is a valuable feature because it tailors the trolling motor’s steering response to the unique handling characteristics of each boat, ensuring smoother tracking, better accuracy, and improved performance across a wide range of fishing scenarios.
How to Adjust Boat Scale (i-Pilot / i-Pilot Link)
- Power up the remote
- Scroll down and select system
- Scroll to Boat Scale and hit the chick button
- Five options are shown – +2, +1, 0, -1, -2
- Scroll to the setting you want and hit the check button
Here’s how it works and how to use it:
- Higher Boat Scale (e.g., +1 to +3)
- More aggressive course corrections
- Useful for large, heavy boats, boats with high wind drag, or when drifting broadside
- Helps maintain a steady track in wind, current, or waves
- Lower Boat Scale (e.g., –1 to –3)
- Softer, smoother corrections
- Best for small, nimble boats or when over-steering is a problem
- Makes AutoPilot less “twitchy” and reduces course zig-zagging
Adjust Boat Scale when you notice the motor doing something undesirable:
Increase Boat Scale if:
- The motor can’t keep the heading or track in wind or cross-current
- The boat drifts off course before the motor reacts
- The bow gets pushed around easily
- You’re trolling offshore or in strong current
Decrease Boat Scale if:
- The motor constantly over-corrects
- The bow swings left/right too much
- Heading Lock feels “jerky”
- The boat responds quickly and doesn’t need strong corrections
Rule of Thumb Settings
- Light skiff, jon boat, kayak: –2 or –3
- Bass boat: –1 to 0
- Medium center console: 0 to +1
- Heavy deep-V, cabin boat, multi-species rigs: +1 to +3
- Windy open-water trolling (stripers, walleye, salmon): Often +2 or +3