Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

Hi everyone, haven't posted in a while because I haven't had a boat to fish from.  I just bought one yesterday and it's equipped with a bow mount Motorguide Digital 71 lb. trolling motor.  I'm a Minn Kota guy and I was weary about switching... I took it out to test everything and I can't get the hang of driving this trolling motor.  I don't know if it's me or if it's the motor but it should not be this hard.  If I have it pointed in one direction, then take my foot off the pedal, it goes wherever it wants!  Every time.  If i'm moving at a high speed it's so torquey that I can't even hold the pedal steady with my foot!  So moving the pedal up/down is what steers it left and right.  Fine, I can get used to that.  But if my foot is not on the pedal, that motor should not be moving, right?! I think something might be wired incorrectly.  I was just out in the garage tinkering with it a bit and with everything unplugged but batteries still connected, when I turn the head of the trolling motor the whole foot pedal moves up and down!  That's not a mechanical connection and there should be no power flowing to it????  Maybe I'm crazy, if this is the way it's suppose to work then it's for sale for next to nothing because I won't have it!  PLEASE HELP I WANT TO GET OUT ON THE WATER WITH MY NEW BOAT AND ENJOY FISHING!

On mine there is a switch in the front of the peddle to select between: Pulse on, Constant on, and High Bypass. Make sure you have "Pulse On" selected so the motor stops when you let of the accelerator button. There should also be a dial to adjust the amount of torque desired when the accelerator button is pressed. Turn it back and forth with the swith down to verify it is changing speed. I had one crack once and it slipped on the potentiometer shaft so the speed didn't change. Also make sure the tension is tight on the steering cables. It is adjustable by turning the barrel screws on the peddle were the enter the foot peddle. If they are not snug the cable can jump the pulley inside. If you get it setup right, they are descent units. I fish rough water alot and I did have to beef up my gator mount by adding keeper washers over the pivot pins on the mount because the pins worked their way out after bouncing around in rough water when the unit was stowed.

A little late but I have the same motor with the same problem.  I even purchased the "Troll Perfect" that is suppose to help with this issue.  It helped eliminate about 70 percent of the issue but it also made it harder to steer.  I will have to check to see if the cable is snug at the pedal.