Help with Trolling Motor Damage

**marshjohn** · 03-12-2011, 07:19 PM

Well guys I committed one of the most embarrassing errors that a fisherman can make. I forgot to pull my Motorguide trolling motor up before taking off full throttle with the outboard. It took me a while to understand why I was getting soaked with lake water, but I finally figured it out.

Now to the damage part. The trolling motor is now extremely difficult to turn with the foot pedal. I am having to darn near stand on the foot pedal to turn the motor. Do you think that I may have bent the shaft?

Help please!

**M R Dux** · 03-12-2011, 07:45 PM

Bent shaft would cover it. A composite shaft would not bend like that. Don't feel bad, I've done the same thing myself plus some much worse over the years.

**CatFan** · 03-12-2011, 07:46 PM

Yep, you bent the shaft.

**marshjohn** · 03-12-2011, 08:13 PM

Can I simply purchase a new shaft and change it out myself or is it something that I will have to take to an authorized repair center?

**striperking** · 03-12-2011, 10:40 PM

I changed one out on a MG before and it wasn't to bad of a job.Call Denny at 770-996-9014 he will ship you the shaft and walk you threw the process.If it's that hard to turn I don't think I would use it anymore until I got it fixed,could break the cable or if it has a plastic foot pedal could break it.

**BlackWidow** · 03-13-2011, 12:06 AM

NEXT TIME......Buy a minn kota, they have a LIFETIME warranty on the shaft...

**wilbur** · 03-13-2011, 09:15 AM

If its a metal shaft and doesnt have a kink in it just a slow bend you should be able to straighten it. Block up each end with the bend up and keep putting pressure on the bend till it moves.Use a 2x4 about 6in. long so as not to kink it. If you can tie a strap on the trailer with a loop on the end about the height of the shaft then stick a long 2x4 through the loop and pry down on the shaft from the other side of boat. What can you lose.

**catchncrisco** · 03-13-2011, 02:42 PM

Minn Kotas warranty is "limited lifetime"..only covers defects in material and workmanship..Took a high wave up front and new max 80 came down on the side of a famous reel foot stump...bent the composite shaft and minn kota would not warrant it, out $800.

**wilbur** · 03-13-2011, 04:59 PM

I broke mine while still under the 2 yr. warranty they fixed for nothing. The guy told me lifetime free replacement for shaft but I have to change myself or give him 60.00 to change it.

**BlackWidow** · 03-15-2011, 08:52 AM

depends on the shop that you use I guess.

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