MinnKota AP/Universal Sonar Survey

[Tennessee Jed]

Calling all MK AP owners with or without Universal Sonar!

I have had continual problems with my AP65 and the out of control autopilot. Now, the motor won't work at all. Talked to my MK source (he's a guide, not an employee of MK) and he said the problem is mostly with Universal Sonar equipped AP's.

How many Universal Sonar owners have this problem?

How many non-Universal Sonar owners have this problem?

Thanks!

[TravisC]

i have a minnkota 74ap,us and it has worked great on my 21 tundra every time out.

[JRN]

I have an AP65 with Universal Sonar. I just had the shaft changed from 54" to 60". When they did this I had them check the computer board for the same problem you have. They replaced the board and I used it on vacation all last week and it works great so far. In the past low batteries or extremely windy conditions would also make the AP go wacky at times.

[Classic2]

I have AP55 with sonar built in and have not had any problems with it yet.

[ljk]

I had a new 65lb 60" shaft Minn-kota AP W/Co-Pilot and Universal sonar transducer installed last April of 2003 on my 2003 Lund Fisherman 1800 and havn't had a problem yet.

God Bless!!
Larry

[bumps2]

I've had a 74 lb Autopilot, CoPilot and universal sonar since April, this year, and so far it has performed flawlessly. I just wish MinnKota would come up with a better idea on their foot control. Tough to operate speed and on/off control at the same time. Overall, though, still a great motor so far.

[The Bullhead]

Minnkota 62lb AP.

I conquer with the above mentioned low battery, power turned way up syndrome. Mine will sometimes act up when I'm running the power up near 6 or 7 even with a good charge, otherwise flawless.

[The Bullhead]

Minnkota 62lb AP.

I conquer with the above mentioned low battery, power turned way up syndrome. Mine will sometimes act up when I'm running the power up near 6 or 7 even with a good charge, otherwise flawless.

[work2fish]

I have a 2002 65AP with Universal Sonar and have not experienced any of these problems. I added a CoPilot this year. The thing works great for me...

Regards,

[work2fish]

I have a 2002 65AP with Universal Sonar and have not experienced any of these problems. I added a CoPilot this year. The thing works great for me...

Regards,

[Sunshine]

74AP w/ universal sonar. No problems!

[Unlogged T-Mac]

I can't say that I buy into that idea..

We are not seeing any corelation between Uni-Sonar and non, in terms of messing up. (Talking a few hundred units, from which I base my opinion).
Installing these units at an angle which is off level (when boat is on water) is the biggest culprit of wandering auto-pilots.
Plus there are places (especially on canyon type lakes) where interference from other things, or inability to "home in" can make the auto-pilots go whacky... temporarily. I know several places on reservoirs around our part of the country where this happens.

They are known to have some quirks, but all-in-all when installed somewhat correctly, they are pretty nice. And the Uni-Sonar sure makes things simple and effective.
I have no complaints.

[birddog]

I have the 74ap/us, nothing but problems with the auto pilot. The unit was bought new 3 months ago. I am sure you have all heard this before, "head spins out of control" I have seen prev. posts on this subject, there are alot of people out there with the same prob. Minnkota, did you not test this auto pilot before you put it on the market????? I spoke with MK on this subject, The woman I spoke with acted so surprised to here of this prob. I called her on the issue!! I was then transfered to a manager who knew all about the problem. This is a wide spread problem!!!

MINN KOTA GET YOUR HEADS OUT OF THE SAND!

[wawrzyng]

I have had 3 65AP's and really like them. The first two had no problems at all. The third one does "go crazy".

The first two were installed with the prop on the starboard side of the boat when in the stowed position. The last one was installed on the port side.

I wonder if that makes a difference?

[bumps2]

OK, tell us about the rest of the phone conversation with MinnKota. Have they got any ideas on what the problem(s) are and how they're going to fix them? I haven't had any problem with mine but guess a lot of folks are.

[GotOne]

TJ,

I bought a "reconditioned" 60 inch 65 pound AP with sonar from Cabela's in the spring of 2003. I used it 22 days last year and 3 so far this year with no problem.

I concur with the post about the foot pedal. The positioning of the controls makes it almost impossible to operate. As Bugs Bunny says "What a MAROON!!". Ol' Bugs must have been referring to that foot pedal designer.

[hooky]

I have the 65AP with universal sonar since 2002 and have no problems, Great unit!

[pwrfshn]

TJ,

65 AP with Co Pilot

Love the motor, hate the compass board.

I've replaced 4 compass boards on my unit as I was not in a position to send it in to MK for warranty, not torlling motor=no fishing for me and that doesn't work when you guide year round.

As for the problem, MK knows, they just don't seem to have done antyhign publicly about it.

Now I carry a spare board and for whatever reason if mine goes nuts, I raplace it and send it to a "source" and they send it in and if it gets replaced great, if not, I pay for it. It is too bad, but I chalk it up to wear and tear. The biggest thing I can say is that using a TM stabilizer is almost a must. One bang on the boat the wrong way and it is done.

In the end I'm happy with the motor and disappointed that MK makes me pay for the baords, but it is more improtant to me to have the unit than to go without. Guess when I get sick of it, I will by a cable drive of some sort and put a TR-1 on the kicker. Just can't justify the cost of the TR-1 yet.

Good luck,

[Tennessee Jed]

Thanks for all the replies, guys!

Yeah, Mexico, tell me about losing guide business! My early season was shot because of work and the weather, and now my MK has completely crapped out.

I have a 12v 55 Riptide AP on my smaller boat that works fine, no Universal Sonar. That's another reason why I was asking if U.S. equipped motors were more prone to problems. I'm going to get the detachable mount and switch my Riptide between them until I get a fix on the 65 AP.

Thanks again!

[Unlogged T-Mac]

No, that would make no difference.

[Unlogged T-Mac]

We install some TR-1 units.
They can screw up, too.

:(

[Fred_G]

Mexico,

If I may ask, what do the boards run? My 65 AP started spinning in circles last week, so I think it will need a new board. Thanks!

[The Sandman]

I have a new 03, 65 AP, that does not have the universal sonar, and it has spun out of control from the beginning. Sometimes does it when it perfectly calm and in LOW power and really does it when it is rough and on the higher power. In fact it cannot be used when it is in high power, and in the AP mode. Just have not had the time to contact someone for surface. Like Mexico, there is no down time for service. I love the concept if it will work. I have to watch so I catch it before it spins and wraps the cord around the shaft a couple of times. It was nice yesterday when I left the front of the boat to land a fish of my partners. I had a cable drive before that you could not take your foot off of, or it would spin. Guess I will make a trip to Mankato.

[Shep]

65AP w/US. I've had this one 3 years now. Lasy year, when I was heading in s to SW direction, the AP would start to turn. It would always stop before it went 360 degrees, and turn off the AP. This spring, I took it to Ed Schilling in West Allis, WI. He calibrated the compass, and now, all is well. Took him about 10 minutes, and $25.

If the motor does not work at all, perhaps it is in the pedal? Try to borrow a friend's to verify.

Tight Lines All,

Shep