I have a bow monted TM on a 97 Lowe Alum Bass Boat.

Last weekend, I  noticed the TM was not tracking straight.  I was continually having to adjust L or R.  What might cause this?

thanks

Larry

What king of trolling motor it is? cable or motor driven steering? if it is cable try tightening it.  Is the motor in the center of the boat? if not try getting as close to center as you can.  do you leave your outboard down? if not try it. it acts as a rudder to keep your boat tracking straight.

The way your gas engine is set has a lot to do with how your boat reacts.  Your lower unit can act as a keel and cause the back to run one way or the other.  

If you have a motor guide and it is not running the way the arrow is pointing you probably have bent the little L shaped piece of metal inside the head cover.

AHem>>Ahem  I am a bit of an expert on this topic

Ahem, Ahem.  Muddy, you must first ask Laurasdad if he drove his boat into 18" of water at 35 mph with the TM down.  If he didn't, then your expertise doesn't apply. ;D

Hey STOP PICKING ON RON he's not here to defend himself ;D

The way your gas engine is set has a lot to do with how your boat reacts. Your lower unit can act as a keel and cause the back to run one way or the other.

If you have a motor guide and it is not running the way the arrow is pointing you probably have bent the little L shaped piece of metal inside the head cover.

in addition to all the other good suggestions...

there is a set screw in the neck on the head that may be loose as well. Take off the cover and look at the metal neck on top of the shaft...there is a set screw facing upwards...if this is loose or coming loose...when you push the pedal all will look normal but the motor will not follow the indicator on the top. You may turn all the way to the left ( and the marker will say you have) but the motor itself will only move half that distance.

If it is a motor guide I would would put lock-tite on that screw.

When I got my boat used it had a bow mounted Motor Guide on it and the red arrow was missing. I had no idea where I was going.LOL! I took blue masking tape and made a new arrow and it fixed mine.

Thanks for all of the replies.  I guess I should have added my TM is one of the new Digital Wireless models from Motorguide.  So the foot control is not connected to the unit.

Not sure how this effects the "set screw" some referred to.

thanks

Larry