Replacement trolling motor advice

Amarillo Palmira · 11-12-09, 07:57 AM

Just like my post about my rusting trailer, I've got considerable rust on the lower unit of my MinnKota Maxxum TM. The guys at MinnKota tell me to go to a saltwater trolling motor vice the freshwater version. What I'm worried about is the hand controlled motor versus a foot control which I'm used to. I think I've got three options: go with another freshwater TM when this one dies and hit it with some saltaway or some such after every trip. Get a hand control and get used to it, or buy the very expensive SW trolling motor that has the electric foot control.

I wash the heck out of that TM after every trip too, but still have a lot of rust, especially where the shaft enters the lower unit. Just a matter of time before water gets in there. Thoughts? Thanks everybody, Amarillo

nofearengineer · 11-12-09, 10:22 AM

If you're dead set on not buying the saltwater version, you could always attach a sacrificial anode to your trolling motor lower unit in such a way as to not interfere with its performance. You would still have to wash your motor off well after trailering it, but it would definitely help with the rust and corrosion that is happeneing while it's in the water.

1FASTLASER · 11-12-09, 10:16 PM

Ole nofear gets the cookie on this one. A small sacrifical anode attached will help TREMENDOUSLY.....just like it does on an outboard.......but as you stated you still need to wash of the saltwater just like you should be doing on the main engine.

bassboogieman · 11-13-09, 07:39 AM

If you're used to a foot control - you probably WON'T like a hand control. The last boat I bought had a MinnKota 101 hand control on it and I tried to adjust to it and avoid spending $1200 on a new foot control. Couldn't do it and replaced it with a foot controlled T/M. You should be fine following the advice of NFE above.

Amarillo Palmira · 11-14-09, 06:49 AM

Thanks guys. That is some awesome advice. I'm going to stick with the fresh water minn kota and attach the anode. thanks again, Amarillo

Jigger · 11-15-09, 10:45 AM

Have you checked out your options on a Motorguide? I've used Motorguide a lot of years and they've served me well. I don't fish saltwater but my recollection is that MG has a saltwater TM called the "Great White", or something like that. I've also got a Minn Kota which is also a good TM.

Amarillo Palmira · 11-15-09, 06:22 PM

Hey Jigger, I've considered them, but thought I'd stick with Minnkota cause I've had pretty good luck with them and don't really want to drill holes for a different mount. thanks! Amarillo

Jigger · 11-16-09, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amarillo Palmira

Hey Jigger, I've considered them, but thought I'd stick with Minnkota cause I've had pretty good luck with them and don't really want to drill holes for a different mount. thanks! Amarillo

Sounds reasonable. Why change a good thing?

Dave Smoot · 11-18-09, 03:58 PM

Amarillo: You can purchase a Minn Kota prop nut for a E-Drive that Minn Kota makes. Part#MKP-31. This will take the place of your existing prop nut. I know this has stopped a lot of problems with corrosion in about every case. Minn Kota's toll free # 800-227-6433. ANY fresh water motor being used in salt water is going to have a problem with rust and corrosion. The only thing is the salt water motors will have an epoxy paint and all nuts,bolts and hardware will be stainless steel. I use one on my 101# motor and have no problems with corrosion. A very simple fix...........

Amarillo Palmira · 11-23-09, 10:13 PM

Dave, What is the difference between that nut and the standard prop nut? thanks, Amarillo

aaah I see. The nut is THE sacrificial anode. interesting.

http://www.amazon.com/Minn-Kota-Sacr.../dp/B000E8DQTU

11-12-09, 07:57 AM	#1
Amarillo Palmira BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 34	Replacement trolling motor advice Just like my post about my rusting trailer, I've got considerable rust on the lower unit of my MinnKota Maxxum TM. The guys at MinnKota tell me to go to a saltwater trolling motor vice the freshwater version. What I'm worried about is the hand controlled motor versus a foot control which I'm used to. I think I've got three options: go with another freshwater TM when this one dies and hit it with some saltaway or some such after every trip. Get a hand control and get used to it, or buy the very expensive SW trolling motor that has the electric foot control. I wash the heck out of that TM after every trip too, but still have a lot of rust, especially where the shaft enters the lower unit. Just a matter of time before water gets in there. Thoughts? Thanks everybody, Amarillo

11-12-09, 10:22 AM	#2
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	If you're dead set on not buying the saltwater version, you could always attach a sacrificial anode to your trolling motor lower unit in such a way as to not interfere with its performance. You would still have to wash your motor off well after trailering it, but it would definitely help with the rust and corrosion that is happeneing while it's in the water. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

11-12-09, 10:16 PM	#3
1FASTLASER BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: crossett,arkansas Posts: 2,777	Ole nofear gets the cookie on this one. A small sacrifical anode attached will help TREMENDOUSLY.....just like it does on an outboard.......but as you stated you still need to wash of the saltwater just like you should be doing on the main engine. __________________ Laser's rule with Merc's doing the pushing..........KEEP THE WETSIDE DOWN AND THE DRY SIDE UP!!!!!!

11-13-09, 07:39 AM	#4
bassboogieman BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Parkesburg, Pa. Posts: 3,762	If you're used to a foot control - you probably WON'T like a hand control. The last boat I bought had a MinnKota 101 hand control on it and I tried to adjust to it and avoid spending $1200 on a new foot control. Couldn't do it and replaced it with a foot controlled T/M. You should be fine following the advice of NFE above.

11-14-09, 06:49 AM	#5
Amarillo Palmira BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 34	Thanks guys. That is some awesome advice. I'm going to stick with the fresh water minn kota and attach the anode. thanks again, Amarillo

11-15-09, 10:45 AM	#6
Jigger BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 490	Have you checked out your options on a Motorguide? I've used Motorguide a lot of years and they've served me well. I don't fish saltwater but my recollection is that MG has a saltwater TM called the "Great White", or something like that. I've also got a Minn Kota which is also a good TM.

11-15-09, 06:22 PM	#7
Amarillo Palmira BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 34	Hey Jigger, I've considered them, but thought I'd stick with Minnkota cause I've had pretty good luck with them and don't really want to drill holes for a different mount. thanks! Amarillo

11-18-09, 03:58 PM	#9
Dave Smoot BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lexington, Ky Posts: 8	Amarillo: You can purchase a Minn Kota prop nut for a E-Drive that Minn Kota makes. Part#MKP-31. This will take the place of your existing prop nut. I know this has stopped a lot of problems with corrosion in about every case. Minn Kota's toll free # 800-227-6433. ANY fresh water motor being used in salt water is going to have a problem with rust and corrosion. The only thing is the salt water motors will have an epoxy paint and all nuts,bolts and hardware will be stainless steel. I use one on my 101# motor and have no problems with corrosion. A very simple fix...........

11-23-09, 10:13 PM	#10
Amarillo Palmira BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 34	Dave, What is the difference between that nut and the standard prop nut? thanks, Amarillo aaah I see. The nut is THE sacrificial anode. interesting. http://www.amazon.com/Minn-Kota-Sacr.../dp/B000E8DQTU

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