Trolling Motor

[Dr. Bowfin]

Can anyone help. I have just purchased a 76 lb thrust Motor Guide cable steer and when you take your foot off the pedal the motor spins to one side or if in choppy water with the boat rocking you can't hold it still. Is there any way to tighten the steering?

[JimStolpa]

I can't speak to tightening the cables..although you may want to be careful. When you are running high it is pretty tough to turn the motor much because of the torque and I'd hate to make it worse by tightening the cables. It is just an inherent problem (as far as I know) in big thrust motors. I have a 67 lb Motorguide and it is pretty good, but I have already burnt the ground connection once due to the big current draw and a thin wiring on motorguides. When it was repaired by an authorized dealer I was warned about running on high for too long.

[Nofish]

Hey Jim, Dr. Bowfin,

The bucking in rough water and steering torque on high are inherant on cable steer motors. I have had cable steer on almost all of my boats and love it.

As to the problem you had with the wiring Jim, I too had heard that, but have never had it happen. I also by the biggest Gorilla of a Motor that Motor guide makes. I figure with super high thrust capability on my motor, I will never need to sit on high for very long. I have the 36v 107 lb thrust Tour Edition on my 620 and have never needed high once in a year and a half.

Have fun......R

[Nofish]

Hey Dr Bowfin,

Forgot this..... the turning to one side you describe has to do with the rotation of the trolling motor prop. If the prop were to spin in the opposite direction, the motor would turn to the other side.

All this is inherant to cable steer motors. As I said, I have had them on almost all my boats and love them.

It can be quite a trick keeping the trolling motor where you want it in bumpy water. The motor will buck and rock. The most important thing you have to know about bumpy water is you have to keep the motor from blowing out.(Coming out of the water) The rocking back and forth does little to impede your ability to keep the boat on track.

Good luck......R