Looks Unfavorable For Me

Been checking the MK website, along with about a hundred more (figuratively speaking:rolleyes:) looking at the new Minn Kota trolling motors. Looks like you can get a Powerdrive 55 V-2 with I-pilot cheaper than you can get a Powerdrive V-2 with AP and Co-pilot, which is a good thing. I was about ready to make the buy then I saw the shortest shaft the I-pilot comes on is a 54" shaft.:( Bummer, now that sucks.:rolleyes: The deck on the bow on my boat is around "18-20" from the water and the longer shaft will just be too high out of the water interfering with my spider rig setup. I emaled Minn Kota and they responded saying they do not make special orders and I could go with the 54" shaft and then cut it off, but I would then be voiding any warrantry. Looks like I might have to spend more money for the AP and Co-pilot and go with the shorter shaft so it'll be a better fit on my boat.:o Any thoughts or comments?!?

If I have to go with the AP with Co-pilot I guess one plus is I've found out the I-pilot on the powerdrives disables all use of the foot control if you ever wanted to fish up in the timber, which my home lake is full of. The negatives are I wont have all the cool features such as track-back and spotlock.:(

I had a similar problem with a 60" Terrova where I needed a 42" shaft. I called MK Customer Service and they told me the warranty is handled through their authorized service centers. They said if the authorized service center were to shorten the shaft then the warranty is still OK if done through that same center in the future. I called 2 service centers and they both said that it was no problem and they routinely did the shaft shortening work. They said that it was "no big deal" and they would still honor the warranty if I needed it in the future just as if I had bought it as a 42" shaft in the first place. Hope this helps. :)

if you do... keep you paperwork on the shortening though.

If you decide to do it yourself it's not that hard, I have shortened 2 of them.