The trolling motor that came with the boat I bought this year shakes violently and the lower part of the shaft spins like crazy when I hit the switch with my foot. The shaking and vibration is enough to shake the mount. We thought at first the bow mount was just loose, but obviously that wasn't the problem. It's a Motorguide 6000, 65 pound thrust. The shaft looks to be bent slightly, would that cause this? 

 

5 minutes ago, iceintheveins said:

The shaft looks to be bent slightly, would that cause this? 

 

 

By all means!

 

 

 

5 minutes ago, iceintheveins said:

The shaft looks to be bent slightly, would that cause this? 

 

 

By all means!

 

 

26 minutes ago, RoLo said:

 

 

 

By all means!

 

 

 

 

 

By all means!

 

 

 

Is it fixable or am I better off getting another one? Would cost about 600 bucks to replace.

 

Well, most anything is fixable but it begs the question...is it worth the cost?

Take it to your local marine shop for an estimate, it may be something entirely different.

If you're faced with a replacement cost, I'd consider switching to Minn Kota.

 

Roger

 

 

 

Have you had the prop off? Line wound around the prop shaft and/or a bent shear pin can also cause vibration.

9 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Have you had the prop off? Line wound around the prop shaft and/or a bent shear pin can also cause vibration.

 

I already did that, unwrapped a bunch of line off of it before I ever ran it, and checked the pin, it was straight as can be. 

 

The shaft vibrates badly and just moves directions too much that it's hard to go straight or keep it going in one direction.

It's obviously well out of balance, most likely the bent shaft.  You cannot expect something that rotates at speed to run smoothly on a bent shaft.  When you say "violently" that indicates something pretty gross.  You probably can observe visually the prop wobbling.

Make sure your replacement motor has a composite shaft.