The used bassboat I purchased came with a 40lb Minn Kota Edge trolling motor and mount for lowering it into the water.  I can't seem to quite get it right.  The mount is already attached to the bow but if I lock the trolling motor into the bracket, it binds when using the mechanism to lower it into the water.  I have to loosen the collar holding the shaft of the TM significantly to give it enough play to get down into the water.  Ditto for hauling it up out of the water.  It will come up but not sit flat onto the gunwale unless I loosen that collar.  I'm sure I'm doing something wrong but I can't figure out what.  I'm not sure I'm explaining this very well, but I'm hoping it's something obvious I'm missing.  Thanks. 

Pictures are worth a thousand words....

That's where it binds (pulling it up).

More than likely, at some point, the previous owner got the lift assembly twisted which is causing the binding. You might have to take it apart to find which pieces have been torqued and either repair or replace them.

That's where it binds (pulling it up).

The mechanism isn't binding as such, but as you can see, the prop end of the motor is hitting the mount as I pull it up.  The collar is trying to force the shaft downward.  Something may well be bent or twisted but I can't see it.

Take the motor off and see if you get full range of motion. Also make  sure the base is level.

Yes, full range of motion.  Not sure about level.

Is it possible that the head of the TM is too low in the mount when you lift it? The motor doesn't look like it is clearing the base of the mount before it starts laying it back to flat

I've tried locking it in higher, but with the same results.

It's difficult to tell, but I think the collar assembly itself may be warped.

Can you buy parts for these mounting brackets? I can't find them.

Never mind. I found it.

 

22 hours ago, billmac said:

Never mind. I found it.

 

What was the fix?

 

Sorry no, I didn't fix it.  I just found the parts.

It looks like the lower rear bracket is in the wrong hole in the base. That would cause it to swing in a different arch than other one.

Mine seems to have this same issue right out of the box. Did you figure our what the problem was?

Mine wasn't really broken.  I just had to push down harder.