Minn-Kota and their prices

[Michael Snow]

Okay, my supposedly "new" trolling motor (prev owner said it had only been in the water maybe once), has a problem with the dir arrow not turning. Smart me decides to fix it right before a tourney. Well, I open her up (after having to drill out one rusted screw because a screwdriver couldn't grip it), and find that the piece that holds the two cables is broken off the bottom of the head unit. So, I need a new head unit bottom anyway (due to my drilling success), and the arrow is broken. I call Minn Kota, knowing I'm about to have problems... of course I don't have a receipt, so I ask the guy when the motor was made... 1999. Okay, so much for a warranty issue. So, as I'm pondering which motor to buy to replace this one since I'm about to get raped on parts pricing, I find out that with shipping, I'm under $30.



This includes the pointer and decal, head unit bottom, head unit top and decal, a few screws, and shipping. The decals, which I've priced for Merc's shifter once and it was like $5 or so, were $.46 and $.84. $.10 for one of the screws and $.50 (I think) for three of the others. The bottom of the head unit was $12.80 and was the most expensive part. Without this, the cables don't attach to anything, the motor doesn't attach to the electronics, etc. This is a critical part, and one they could have really raped me on. I was HOPING for under $100 in parts. At $100, it was time to decide if I needed another trolling motor (bigger, better, cooler, you know).



Mind you, this was just after paying $40 for a oil reservoir (engine mounted) for my Merc because a float inside it got stuck. Too bad Minn-Kota doesn't own Merc. Those $1000 cowlings might be more reasonable.

 

[TritonGlenn]

Minn Kota service has always been first rate. BTW - that bottom part you just ordered is going to be better than the original. Minn Kota realized after a few broke at the same point that yours did (after about 3 to 4 years of good running service), that the bottom needed a beefier mount for the cable bracket. I think the new one uses four screws and anchor points for the cables, whereas the old one used two screws and anchor points. My 3 1/2 year motor was a half year out of warranty, but since I was the "original owner... and had registered it", they sent me the bottom part for free, along with an upgraded rope guide so that the rope wouldn't get chaffed. I have dealt with a very nice lady named Kimber Austin, who is absolutely a first rate person to deal with. I have a Motorguide on the front of my new Triton, but the verdict is still out on it. If it breaks and parts are "Brunswick expensive", I will probally buy a new Maxxum Pro 80 to replace it. Glad to hear that your parts were inexpensive. You have a very good motor there. Should give you a lot more years of relyable service. Mine was a 98 model, so it was 7 years old when I sold my boat. It still ran strong, smooth, and quiet as the day I bought it.

Glenn