Hi all,

I've been looking at this site for the past couple of years, found some great info. but never thought to join the forum.  Well now I need some advice/ help regarding my trolling motor.  I apologize in advance for such a long post.   

I've been experiencing some trouble with my 55lb Minn Kota Maxxum trolling motor.  I think the problem started showing up after I hit a large rock with it last year.  While motoring in to shore to retrieve one of my dad's many tree snags, the shaft hit a rock.  My natural reaction to keep myself from going overboard was to step down with my foot on the trolling motor foot pedal.  Ever since, on occasion the directional arrow and true position of the prop will become misaligned.  The only way I can re-align them is by rocking the pedal back and forth until both are pointing in the same direction.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.  I just pulled the boat out of storage ('03 Lowe 180 Stinger, 115hp Merc) to see if I could diagnose what is wrong with the trolling motor.  I pulled off the top cover and didn't see any sheared gears but I did notice that one of the steering cables has a bit of slack in it.  I'm not really sure if it would be enough to effect its performance.  I guess my question is, has anyone encountered a problem like this?  I emailed Minn Kota and the service rep mentioned that the shaft could have cracked.  Is there anyway I can confirm that is/ isn't the case?  The motor runs just fine except for the directional arrow/ prop misalignment, which drives me crazy.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Again, sorry for the long post.  Thanks!

I have the same motor and I have to pull the head off about every tenth trip to realign the directional arrow.  It's a poor design on an otherwise great motor.