MinnKota Power Drive

[Dave Turner]

The boat I am looking at has one and I'd think it is an older version square plug. It has the Auto Pilot button on the head and says PDAP 70 lb. It is a 54 inch shaft 24 volt. I am not at all in tune with these since I have the old plug and go MinnKota. Can anyone give me any info how these work and possible age? Thanks very much

 

[fishrdan]

I'd say that TM was around $1000 new, so if everything on it works, it's a score. You can check them out at MinnKota's website.

Does the TM come with the cabled foot pedal or the wireless keyfob controller? One of those 2 items is required to run the TM. I prefer the key fob as I can go anywhere in the boat and even use it while fighting a fish when solo fishing,,, and not be tied to the foot pedal's location. I don't have the AP feature on my TM, but that will come in handy maintaining course.

Unless you can verify everything works on the TM I wouldn't look at as a $1000 TM. Heck, being used I would consider it a $500 TM if everything works, less if parts are missing or it can't be tested. I have heard of the compass unit having issues on some of them, the power board could be fried, or there could be motor issues. I doubt this is the case as MK TM's are pretty reliable, but it's something to consider as the boards do not come cheap, same for the foot pedal and keyfob controller.

 

[Dave Turner]

Well, I made the deal for the boat a 71 Starcraft Star Trek-5 18 foot and the trolling motor is on it. Talk about a tank. I plan on using it for Muskie fishing both casting and trolling. I don't know anything about the trolling motor and know less about the newer versions with Auto Pilot. The foot control is with it. There is an older 85 Johnson on the back and i do not know if I will even try to use it. I plan on refurbing the tub and taking out the wood and putting in aluminum. I paid a grand for the boat, galvanized shorelander trailer with new 14" tires. The hull is in nice shape and still has the original paint and no dents.

 

[fishrdan]

Sounds like a nice fishing rig at a great price. I have an 18'er too, Crestliner, and troll for stripers with a 70# MK PowerDrive (non-AP). I get 4-5 hours of trolling out of a pair of group 29 batteries, or all day casting. My rig is pretty heavy, so you'll probably get more time trolling than I.

If you have any questions rebuilding or getting the motors running, post something up in the forums and you'll most likely get some great advice.

If you find that TM difficult to deploy, MK has an updated lock lever that makes it much easier to deploy the motor. I used to have the lock lever (loop style) shown in your picture and it was a total pain to get the motor out and down at times. I replaced it with the updated lock lever and it's super easy now, push down on the lever and it shoves the motor off the mount. $20 or so from Fish307.

 

[Dave Turner]

Thanks for the comments and info. I will check on that lever. I am going do a thorough check on the boat itself and decide what I want do. I am not going to leave it as because i want a flat floor plan.

 

[Fleetwin]

I owned the same model.

Mine came with the foot pedal but I soon adapted it to the key fob type wireless remote. Much easier to use and as stated, you can control it from anywhere in the boat. The conversion is easy, it comes as a kit (Control and receiver).

fishrdan is right about the issues with deploying it with the old style lock mechanism. I never converted mine but any redesign would be better.