Minn Kota Auto Pilot

[riskyhooker]

Have had constant problems with my unit vibrating and spinning out at high speed settings and or while in rough water. Contacted Minn Kota service dept. 3 times. The first time they suggested I try a new prop and after installing the one they sent out I found the problems to be worse. When I called them the second time they suggested I try yet another new prop. After bolting that one on it was worse than ever so I went back to my original prop. Two weeks ago the motor stopped working all together.(Would not respond to foot pedal at all.)I then called them again and was told to take it to my "local" service center for repair, which happens to be two hours away. Not so "local"!! After a long discussion with the tech lady she basically admitted that they do not have the proper equipt. to check the auto pilot operation at the satellite service centers and I would be better sending the unit back to the factory for repair. She sent me out a UPS call tag and after packing the unit in the smallest possible box I attempted to ship it. The gentleman at UPS informed me that it exceeded the maximum length + girth measurment that UPS would ship. After removing the unit from the box the man at UPS measured the unit and determined that it could not be packaged in a way that would allow him to ship it.I could not believe that Minn Kota didn't know this!!! Being fed up with my lack of resolve from the service dept. and not really wanting to be without my unit any longer I called Dundee, Michigan Cabelas (where unit was originally purchased). I explained my lengthy story to the customer service manager and she offered to exchange my defective unit for a brand new one even though the unit was 6 months old. After installing the new unit I was very happy to see that it performed perfectly at all speeds and in all conditions. No more vibration, wandering or spinning out. WHEW!!! Hats off to Dundee Cabelas. I dont think they were really obligated to exchange a unit that old but did so without any questions!!! Now that is customer service at its best. She also mentioned that my warranty would start over at the date of exchange. Maybe some of you who have similar problems and bought your unit at Cabelas could consider this quicker, easier alternative to dealing with Minn Kota. Just thought I would pass that on as I know several of you are having similar problems with your units and the Minn Kota service dept. I have finally got a good one I sure hope it stays that way.
Mark Leber

[perchjerker]

Good to hear Cabelas came through for you. I have followed your problem with interest since I also have one. I got one from the Cabelas catalog. The shipping thing with UPS is weird. I got mine shipped UPS, I was suprised the shipping was only $11, Bass Pro wanted something like $40 to ship it. It came in a huge box,(its an AP 65, 60" shaft) completely asseambled. I am wondering why UPS wouldnt ship it.

Anyway, glad you got it straightened out, mine has been really nice (so far)!!!

[riskyhooker]

Perchjerker,
Mine is also a 65ap 60" shaft. The box I tried to ship it in was a lot smaller than the original package too. Maybe the guy at UPS was messed up. Oh well just glad that is out of the way.

[muley hunter]

Good to hear that cabelas took good care of you!! I bought a reconditioned on from a man in Wisconsin over 2 years ago 50 pd. He shipped it UPS also and the cost was only 11.50. Glad to hear you can now go fishing and have fun.

[Tennessee Jed]

I was having the same "spin out" problems with my 65AP. Didn't matter what the conditions, speed, etc. Got in touch with Minn Kota and they said they were well aware of the problem, as they had heard it plenty from customers! Apparently they had some quality control problems with a sub-supplier for the control boards. They sent me a new one, which I just finished installing tonight. I gave it a test drive and it appears to be fine now. I'm going out tomorrow morning to give it a full workout. I'll let y'all know how it did!

[Tennessee Jed]

Well, I gave my AP65 a four and a half hour workout today. It did perform better with the new control board, but under certain parameters it would go out of control. What I noticed was if I was changing the heading in any kind of wake or wave wash from the side, it had problems. I guess the compass was tilting inside the head or something. I have a floating compass on my console and noticed how much it rocks when my boat is in wakes or waves, so I guess some loss of control is to be expected. Also, I think if the bow goes too high in a wave the AP compass probably thinks the boat is going backwards when the heading is setting up for a lock, so it turns around 180 degrees from where I want it to go.

If the waves were hitting the stern everything worked fine, but the motor really did a lot of sweeping back and forth to keep the boat on heading. I was bottom bouncing, probably slower than your average guy (0.7 mph) and I am sure the rough water would push the boat around, confusing the AP compass. I'm still a little disappointed with the performance of this product. Hopefully MK will have an upgrade or retro-fix soon.

I should also mention that the pedal really leaves a lot to be desired, especially if the motor is acting up. You have to hit the edges just right to give correction, otherwise you end up trying to push the pedal through the deck of the boat while nothing happens! A rocker would be better; at least you might be able to get a faster correction to the motor that way.

[jeff]

Had the same problem with my 65AP. My local service guy said the compass was defective, it had an air bubble in it. Since then it has worked fine in average waves, although when I used it the first time in 2-3footers, it acted stupid like yours. Need to check it out again in rougher water. If it does it again the unit is going back. Three strikes and your out with me. Good Luck with your AP.
Jeff, Sauk Rapids