6 Trolling Motor Maintenance Tips
Arguably the most important tool on your fishing boat is your trolling motor. Can you guess which tool takes the most abuse? It's likely your trolling motor. They get bumped against rocks, oyster beds, mangroves, stumps ad docks for hours on end and are constantly abused by the salt water.
Minn Kota® trolling motors have been around for nearly 90 years and they're the toughest out there, but that doesn't mean that periodic maintenance can be ignored.
We're going to break down the most important trolling motor maintenance and care procedures to keep you motor running like new for years to come.
A little bit of TLC goes a long way in keeping this important fishing tool in good condition
1. Clean Trolling Motor Props of Weeds, Debris and Fishing Line
We take our trolling motors in tight place and shallow water where debris, lines, and vegetation are rampant. It's important to clean and remove any debris from you motor as quickly as possible.
Stray fishing line, net remnants, and rope can damage your motor more than you think. It's critical to remove any of these that you have picked up over the course of the fishing day because if these get behind the prop they can damage the seals and allow water to enter the lower unit of the motor - causing much bigger issues.
In addition to visual removal of debris, it's also a great idea to take off you prop after every 3 - 5 outings to check for debris accumulation behind your prop.
2. Remove & Inspect Trolling Motor Prop Drive Pin
While your prop is off, it's a good time to check the Prop Drive Pin for wear and to check for curvature. Remember that time you slammed into the mangroves? Those moments are where you prop pin can be bent or broken. They are designed to bend or break under pressure to prevent greater damage to the driveshaft and prop. If bent or broken, these pins are easily replaced.
3. Wash Your Trolling Motor
Spray down your entire trolling motor with fresh water after every use in order to lightly clean the salt from the bearings and hinges.
4. Lubricate Your Trolling Motor
Lubricating your trolling motor shaft is also vitally important. This can be done after you have cleaned your trolling motor with fresh water, a mild soap, and wiped dry. Grab a bottle of pledge multipurpose cleaner, Armor All, or another water-based silicone spray and apply some to a soft cloth, and wipe down the composite trolling motor shaft.
This lubrication helps ensure smooth deployment and stowing of your trolling motor, especially electric steer motors. Important Note: Make sure the spray chosen is water-based, NOT oil based.
5. Tighten Mounting Bolts
Vibration is the enemy of most marine equipment, and when mounting bolts become loose or a stabilizer bar is not holding tight to the deck of the boat, bushings and other moving parts can take serious abuse - especially when running in heavy waves and chop. Remember to check and tighten all mounting points at least a couple times per year.
6. Check & Tighten Battery Connections
Poor connections to batteries are one of the most common sources of trolling motor problems. All trolling motors require a clean electrical connection in order to run effectively.
While this doesn't necessarily extend the life of your trolling motor, it does prevent unwanted headaches during your time on the water. Simply pull out a wrench or socket ad check that all battery terminals are snug.
While you're there, check the battery terminals and wires for corrosion. Give them a quick clean with fine sandpaper or emery cloth and replace any corroded wires.
It's also important to check any additional connection points, for example, where your trolling motor wire meets a terminal ring. If it's loose, re-snug or replace the terminal ring.
6. Properly Charge Your Trolling Motor Batteries
Your batteries are the lifeblood of your trolling motor and keeping them in a healthy state is the most critical piece of trolling motor performance. For maximum battery life, recharge the battery as soon as possible after every use. For best performance, restore the battery to full charge prior to use.
You might also want to consider an on-board charger to simplify your charging process and to confirm that you apply the proper charge for your battery type to ensure a long lifespan.