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Member
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Location: OSHKOSH, WI | I have a Minn Kota 65 lb motor that is fairly new with the foot pedal. I use it for trolling until I get my attachment to rig onto the big motor. My current problem that drives me nuts is I set it to the direction I want it to go and within a minute of taking my foot off the pedal it flips out and steers the boat hard right,left, or even backwards. This really hurts when I have to get up to check lines, help with a fish, or just take a break from up front. As it is now I have to stop the motor when I have to do something which takes my boat for ride in the waves and screws up my boards to say a few. Anyone else have this problem or a way to fix it. Thanks Bob |
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| Face it, you need a kicker motor. The foot operated bow mount is for bass fishing. The trolling plate on the big motor isn't the answer either. After you try it you'll see what I mean. Can you borrow or buy a used small motor? Even if it's a 2 stroke. You would have to run it on a seperate gas tank. This might get you trolling until you can afford a kicker. Maybe one of your buddies has a small motor on his duck hunting boat that you can borrow. Before the 4 stroke kickers were available everyone used small 2 strokes as kickers. I used a 7.5 Merc 2 stroke until about 6 years ago. Yeah it smelled, but it worked fine. |
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Member
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Location: OSHKOSH, WI | Just curious what is the bad side effects with putting a trolling plate over the big prop? Will I not slow down enough? Tough to steer? What gives. I heard it is not recommended over large periods of time b/c it will make your plugs go bad. Thanks |
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| I used to have a problem with my AP65 losing lock, the first year I bought it. I took it in to the authorized repair guy in West Allis, Ed Shirling, and he calibrated the compass. It has worked great since then. I use it for trolling harnesses, and don't even use the kicker much for that. If we have some big winds, I'll throw out two drift bags off the front cleats, and that slows me down, and then I use the AP for direction control. |
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| I'm on my third Auto Pilot in the last ten years and they have all done the same thing. My buddy has the same problem with his. I always thought it was voltage related because it would always happen at the end of the day and cuold be staved off short term by reducing the speed. Now it does it once in a while at the beginning of the day with a full charge. I've up graded to a twist-lock connector and cleaned and coated all of my connections to no avail. My batteries are new this season Trojans. I actually much prefer to do most of my trolling with my bow mount especially because I am frequently by myself and can slow down and reel in and net without having to control my boat. Does anyone have any home remedies to try before I take it in for service? |
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| Cost me $25 to have it calibrated. Took about 15 minutes while I waited. |
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Member
Posts: 118
Location: OSHKOSH, WI | Maybe I should just take two boards and jam one in on each side and shimmy it until it is straight. Thanks for the ideas. |
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| I think the Flyman is talking about a cable operated foot controlled bow mount and you guys are talking about the auto-pilot models. Once he takes his foot off the pedal the motor turns wherever it feels like going, throwing him off course. |
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| I didn't think MK made a 65 lb Maxxuum or cable drive TM. You could be right. Flyman? |
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Member
Posts: 118
Location: OSHKOSH, WI | Ok, maybe a little more description is neccesary. I have a model that I plug a big cord with a round 4 prung. I control the direction with a foot pedal. If I push down(front of foot) on the pedal it goes to the right, push down with my heel(goes to the left). The model has a speed dial on the left that I can set the speed. The top of motor has a red "v" that points to the direction I am going. I usually set the motor on constant to jig or troll. When I have to get up to do something it stays put for about 30 seconds then the foot pedal just "flips out" by either going all the down or up(all right or all left). I would think that I should be able to set a speed and direction and just leave it alone, but that is not happening. Hope this helps- Bob |
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Member
Posts: 118
Location: OSHKOSH, WI | I have to reitereate. It is Minn Kota Maxxum model with 55 lbs. thrust not 65 and I believe the 24 volt type. Hope this helps more |
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Posts: 859
Location: Appleton wi | Flyman you sound like your confused. Do you have a pinpoint by chance? |
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| What is happening is that the flow of the water over the trolling motor lower unit will eventually create drag slightly higher on one side when his foot is not holding the foot control steady. Once the water starts pushing the motor to either side, it will just push it to the side and then around and around you go. Is there a tension adjustment on the steering foot pedal which might allow it to hold against the differential water drag?? If there is, tightening it some should help a bit. However, an autopilot motor would help you immensely. I have a trouble free 74# autopilot on the glass boat and a trouble free 812 on the 15' Sylvan aluminum. |
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Member
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Location: OSHKOSH, WI | Well I wrote Minn Kota and they responded the Maxxum models are operaated based on cables and pulleys and your foot has to constantly be on the foot pad to be in control. To me that is bad news and a pain. What advantage does that have? Sore foot and back I guess. Oh well now I know the unit works fine it is Minn Kota that blew that design. Bob |
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Member
Posts: 3899
| The Maxxum is a great TM for position fishing, especially in current or wind, but it is not designed for trolling with. The AutoPilot excells when trolling, either as the steering component in conjuction with a kicker, or as the main power and steering, when going slow. Two different motors for different applications.
If you want to use the TM for trolling, I would suggest selling it, and getting an Autopilot instead. |
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| Flyman, I'm curious. How long can you troll with your electric bow mount? I have owned quite a few different brands and styles of motors, MK powerdrives, auto pilots and maxums. Also, various Motorguides. It seems the bass guys and some musky fishermen use the foot operated models. I agree, after a long day of standing on one foot it makes one wonder why they even make the foot controlled type. My preference now is a hand controlled model.(bow mount) This works for trolling with the wind, because I can lock the steering. However, The batteries only last 2-2.5 hours. (24volt system, new 27 series Sears marine deep cycle batteries). |
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Member
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Location: OSHKOSH, WI | It all depends on the wind and waves. Going against a slight breeze I can keep an average of 2.2 for about 2 hours or so. Going with a slight breeze with little waves closer to 4 hours on a 24 volt system. It is definitelty not my choice of how to troll though. The hand model that I could lock in would be a lot easier. I will probably look into trading the one I have for an autopilot or a hand model. I actually don't mind using the foot pedal, it is just having to have a foot on it at all times that is a pain. Bob |
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Posts: 3899
| Just before my batteries took the big dump this year, I fished the MWS on Green Bay, in a pretty strong wind. We trolled about 5 hours with my 65# AP, and the average setting was 5-6. Batteries handled it no problem. Never even unbuckled the kicker. Next trip out, and I got about 3 hours out of them, so I decided after 4 years, it was time to replace them. I bought new Trojans Batteries this time. We'll see how they do. I only use the bowmount for trolling spinners, slowly, less than 1.5 MPH, and usually around .9 MPH. I usually use my kicker for cranks.
When the previous batteries were good, I could go all day no problem. Lots of days fishing muskies in the wind, and never had an issue. I think the Maximizer circuitry really extends battery life on the upper end Minn Kota's. Same with the variable speed Motoguides. I'd stay away from the models without infinately variable speed control.
Edited by Shep 7/22/2005 8:53 AM
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Member
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| 24 volt system powered by 2 Trojans........I have never run out of juice but I can't recall any trips with more than 6 or 7 hours of nonstop trolling. I'm always right around setting six. My gut feeling is that the time would drop off quickly if I were running with the setting in the 8-10 range. |
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| FLYMAN, I HAVE A MINN KOTA MAXUM WITH THE CABELS AND FOOT PEDAL AS YOU DESCRIBE. I USE IT FOR TROLLING ALL THE TIME. HOWEVER, NOT WITH CRANKBAITS AT 2.2 MILES PER HOUR. IF ALL YOU HAVE TO TROLL WITH IS THE BOW MOUNT MY SUGGESTION IS TO BUY SOME CRAWLER HARNESSES AND WEIGHTS AND HAVE AT IT. THERE IS A CABLE TENSION SCREW THAT SHOULD BE ON THE FRONT OF YOUR FOOT PEDAL. TIGHTEN IT UP ALL THE WAY. YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE A PROBLEM UP TO 1.5 MPH. ONE OTHER SUGGESTION, NEVER TROLL INTO THE WAVES. THIS ALSO CAUSES THE TORPEDO TO SPIN. IF YOU GET SOME BIG BOAT WAIVES GET YOURSELF READY ONCE IN A WHILE THIS WILL CAUSE IT TO SPIN. SAVE THE CRANK BAIT TROLLING UNTIL YOU HAVE A KICKER. YOUR WAISTING TO MUCH TIME MONKEYING WITH IT WHEN YOU COULD BE CATCHING MANY WALLEYES ON CRAWLERS WITH THE EQUIPEMENT THAT IS ALREADY ON YOUR BOAT. ONE OTHER THING, ONCE YOU HAVE THE BOWMENT IN THE WATER AND IT IS PULLING YOUR BOAT STRAIGHT, DO NOT USE IT TO STEER, ONLY TO PULL THE BOAT. TRIM YOUR BIG MOTOR DOWN IT WILL ACT AS A RUTTER AND GIVE YOU PLENTY OF TURNING CAPABILITY.
AS FAR AS THE TROLLING PLATE GOES, 135 MERC EFI NOT THE RIGHT MOTOR FOR THIS. THAT ENGINE WILL LOAD UP AND RUN LIKE CRAP. NOT DESIGNED FOR LONG HOURS AT TROLLING SPEEDS. IT WILL PROBABLY DAMAGE THAN IT IS WORTH. FOR THE COST OF CONSTANTLY CHANGING PLUGS AND TUNING UP YOU COULD GET YOURSELF A REASONABLE KICKER IN NO TIME. |
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| THE CABLE TENSION SCREW SHOULD BE JUST BELOW WHERE THE CABLES ENTER YOUR FOOT PEDAL.
IF YOU ARE TROLLING ALONG AND THE TORPEDO SPINS (WHICH IT PROBABLY WONT IF YOU LISTEN TO ABOVE POST), DON'T WORRY TO MUCH, JUST START UP THE BIG MOTOR FOR A SECOND AND TROLL WITH THAT UNTIL YOU ARE ABLE TO GET UP FRONT AND STRAIGHTEN OUT THE MOTOR. YOU WILL GO A LITTLE FASTER THAN YOU WANT TO BUT IT SURE BEATS SNAGGING BOTTOM OR TANGLING ALL OF YOUR LINES. |
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Member
Posts: 118
Location: OSHKOSH, WI | My big motor is actually a 2.0 liter 135 horse Mariner motor. That was the motor I was thinking of putting the "Happy Troller" on. The motor is in great condition, a 1998 model. Bob |
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| Mercury/Mariner = same thing just different color. They were built in the same factory off of the same production lines. Sorta like Chevy/Gmc. |
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Location: Rhinelander | Flyman,
Minn Kota didn't intend a cable drive electric motor to hold a certain steering position with your foot off the motor, especially if the water is rough. That is exactly what the Auto Pilot is for. You are trying to apply the wrong tool to the job, hardly the manufacturer's fault. The Maxxum is the choice of some of the top anglers in the world, and is a very well built motor. As Shep said, what you need for that application is an Auto Pilot.
As mentioned, tightening the tensioner will help, but will not necessarily totally solve the issue for you. |
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| I DON'T THINK HE IS ASKING WHAT TYPE OF MOTOR HE SHOULD BUY, RATHER WHAT CAN HE DO WITH WHAT HE ALREADY HAS BECAUSE OF A LACK OF EXTRA MONEY AT THIS TIME. JUST SOMETHING I PICKED UP FROM SOME OF HIS EARLIER POSTS. |
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Member
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Location: OSHKOSH, WI | I actually used the motor a lot the last week without tightening up the screw. I found it a lot easier to take the butt seat away from the front and just stand (easier on the back). The motor does work good and the autopilot would be a great feature or a hand model. I will stick to what I have now and save up for something else. Thanks for the responses, Bob |
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Problem with my bow mount