Got an Old Town Autopilot 120? Follow These Trolling Motor Maintenance Tips

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Some fishing kayaks, like the Old Town Autopilot 120, are equipped with trolling motors that are saltwater-ready to get you there and back.

Others, like the NuCanoe Frontier, feature a square transom for mounting a motor and room at the stern for a battery.

Regardless of your rig’s configuration, if you run a trolling motor to get you where the fish are, you’re going to need to put in a little extra legwork and maintenance. Here are the top suggestions to keep that motor whirring for longer.

Keep It Clean
This is easily the most important suggestion, especially for those of you who fish saltwater. After getting the yak out of the wash, rinse off the motor, thoroughly, with a freshwater hose, and make sure to dry it well.

It’s also critical to remove the prop and clean weeds and fishing line out from behind the prop. They can damage your motor much more than you might expect, ruining the seals and allowing water into the lower unit.

Also, even a little bit of line or weeds can also slow down the motor’s operation, robbing you of speed or power. Anytime you suspect as much, raise the motor from the water and clear any snags or weeds.

Clean it after every trip on the water. Make no exceptions to this rule.

Keep It Well-Lubricated
In addition to keeping the motor – especially the lower drive unit – clean, it’s also important to properly lubricate the trolling motor shaft.

Use a water-based lubricant, not an oil-based one, and clean and wipe down the shaft after every outing. This will ensure that the motor it raises, lowers, and swivels properly in its bearings.

Inspect the Prop and Prop Drive Pin
After each outing, make sure to take a close look at the prop. Incidental damage incurred from rocks and logs can put deep notches into propeller blades that can ruin the motor’s efficiency.

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The propellers of trolling motors are designed to be easily replaceable, and they’re not particularly expensive, either. If you see damage that warrants replacement, replace it.

You will also want to pay close attention to the prop drive pin. The pin is designed to bend or break when the prop strikes something in order to protect your drive shaft. When yours bends or shows signs of damage, replace it.

Keep It Tight
Vibration can easily damage the hardware and fittings on your fishing kayak, especially in rough water. Cut down on vibration by ensuring all trolling motor mounts, hardware, and fittings are tight before and after each outing.

If your trolling motor is mounted to the transom, periodically crank down on the wing nuts that secure it, even while you are on the water. Vibration can cause these to work loose while under way.

Check Your Connections and Leads
Corrosion can spell doom for any electrical component, but trolling motors (and other marine electronics) are at a particularly elevated risk.

Before leaving port, make sure your battery connections are tight. Loose connections can result in poor performance.

After each trip, inspect the battery leads. Corrosion can travel up the lead wires, overheating, damaging the insulation, and robbing the motor of performance. In extreme cases it can even produce a fire risk. If you suspect corrosion, strip the leads and re-outfit them with new clamps or terminals. Whenever working with marine electrical connections, also use an approved, tin-coated marine-grade electrical wire to protect against corrosion.

Also, protect your battery terminals and the exposed portions of the motor’s lead wires with a high-quality dielectric grease. This will protect all exposed fittings against corrosion and will extend the life of your motor and battery.

Trolling Motor Storage
Last but not least, be sure to properly store your trolling motor when you’re off the water. Disconnect the motor from the battery, and store it somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sunlight. Don’t store it uncovered outside, because prolonged exposure to rain and moisture will eventually compromise the upper unit, causing shorts.

Before storing, it’s also a good idea to lightly coat the exterior of the motor and shaft with a water-based lubricant to protect against corrosion.

Time for a New Fishing Kayak? Visit No Bad Days Kayak
Is it time for a new fishing kayak? If you’re looking for one that has built-in power, go for a model like an Old Town Autopilot 120 pre-rigged with a Minn Kota – but don’t forget that nearly any model with a square transom can be outfitted with power and a motor.

Visit No Bad Days Kayaks to learn more. They carry a wide range of the industry’s top fishing kayaks, and their customer service cannot be beaten. Reach out to them at 512-229-0560 with any questions you have and they’ll make sure you find what you need in short order.

For more information about Nucanoe Frontier 12 and Hobie Lynx Please visit: No Bad Days Kayak.

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