Losing trolling motor props.

[Mille Lacs Guy]

I'm just wondering if any one else has had problems losing the props off of their trolling motors while traveling across the lake with their outboard motors. I think the reason I lost the prop was because the trollong motor slid down a little bit from the up position when traveling in rough water at a high speed with the outboard motor. When it slid down the prop started to spin backwards and it spun itself off. I have a high quality Motor Guide motor and I don't think the prop should spin off under any conditions even if it slides down from the up position. There are three devices that are supposed to keep the motor from sliding down and it still slides down in rough water. Just curious if anyone else has had this problem. Thanks.

[Fin Addict]

Are you tilting the motor flat to the deck of the boat when underway at speed? If not, you should be. I run a Minn Kota and have never lost a prop. On my unit, there is a serrated washer under the "wing nut" that prevents the nut from loosening on its own. Do you have one on your Motor Guide? I also have a shear pin that keeps the prop from rotating on the armature shaft. If you have one and it is broken the motor should not work but that's the only way I can figure that a reverse rotating prop could loosen the nut. Also check to see that the threads on the nut are not stripped, although I'm guessing you lose the nut every time you lose a prop so they should be ok.

[Ness]

I have a Motorguide but on ours there's a strap that you use to strap it down on the boat when running the outboard. Doesn't yours have that???
It only takes a couple of minutes to strap it down....

[Jack]

I just lost my T.M. prop but while I was using it. I didn't check the prop nut often enough. I will now. Perhaps that was your problem.

[Eyedog]

I lost a minkota prop 10yr. ago, been safety wireing all of them since. I guess thats my aircraft background way of doing things. Its very easy,tighten the nut, drill 1 hole in the wing part of the nut, 1 in the prop positioned to tighten and twist wire it tight. When you cut wire end bend it down so it doesn't stick you later.
..................LOL, Eyedog

[crash]

geees man I thought I left that stuff behind me. Too many scars on my hands to ever forget that stuff (pig tail the ends d@mn it!!). What kind of aircraft were you working on? F-14's for me, what a flying hunk-o-junk.

[Eyedog]

Crash it was long before the F14./ T39,F4&T33.
I not only wire the props but also the tee handles that secure the rear troler to transom.

[IaCraig]

Crash, where is the prop on a f-14? On top of your hat?

Sorry, I couldn't resist....

IaCraig