Minn Kota shaft failed!
 

At the SC tournament today, I hit an underwater oyster pile/rock and it caused the shaft of my Minn Kota to splinter down the middle from top to bottom. Aren't these shafts guaranteed for life? If so, can I get it replaced for free through a local shop? I thought I remembered Minn Kota bragging about their composite shaft-- the shaft is a pos. I'll get pics as soon as I can.

Yes....lifetime. I did not read if this is for ALL their TM.

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/advantage/saltwater.aspx

Did it happen in West Cove infront of 3 waders?

Yep!
 

We were trying to go around them to get to the cut and fish some flounder. We would of normally went straight in... but went south to avoid them fishing. I also didn't realize the water was 2 foot lower than normal. And... smash... splintered shaft. If that was you'll ... I assume you heard some cursing. We had to throw out the anchor to avoid hitting the bank because the breaker on the trolling motor tripped. Bad timing for sure. That pretty much pissed me off and ruined my day. I never encountered WC that low before. We did not want to mess up the waders just wanted to get into the cut for some flounder.

I came out the water yest and went to put my transom saver on. Noticed I busted my prop all up. When I went to trailer my boat, the water at Hebert's launch was 1ft! I guess it happened there. I never noticed it so have no idea where it did. Bad day for a few apparently!

There was a couple guys in a Skeeter with an Evinrude that saw us plowing a big reef in West Cove.

Pics
 

Few pics...

Just take it to a Minn Kota repair shop from there web site they will fix it for free. I did the same thing to one about 4 years ago and DHP in Lake Charles fixed it free with no hassle.

Jeff and his boys.


Heard you was throwin a corky on the back side of the weirs aswell! :work: :help:

i snapped mine in half before they fixed it for free but after that it never worked the same i threw that pos minn kota away and bought a motor guide cuz you can still fish with a bent tm shaft

Dead Swimps inside and outside the weirs. And at the jetty's. Was trying to
catch a big nasty trash fish, anywhere I could.

I seen the boat that spanked W back there too.

Update on shaft... in order to get it replaced for free... you must be the original purchaser and have proof of that purchase... I don't have either. Looks like I will glue it together and put some stainless steel clamps around it. I will have to wait next summer to buy a replacement. I will just make due with what I have. I am pretty sure I will go motorguide with 24 volt 80 lbs thrust or 36 volt 100 lbs thrust in the future.

Good choice........stainless steel won't splinter.

Just wondering how much is a replacement shaft and what length is it....

call minn kota up and pop a wheely they sent me a whole new trolling motor and a upgrade from the one i had. they never not once asked me for a reciept

I agree!!!!!!! They rave about their composite shaft........put up or shut up.

Yep, I will call Minn kota and raise a little hell and make sure they know they need to stand behind their product. Or, will let everyone know how ****ty their company is and composite shaft is.

that is exactly what i did....i told them i fish all kinds of tournaments and i would bad mouth them everychance i got and they hooked me up. the mechanic that worked on it called me personally and told me i would not be disappointed. and until this one gives me problems im happy

hear ya fence!

Fence, did you raise hell with Minn Kota or the repair shop?