Minn Kota quick release bow bracket?

[Expidia]

So I installed this one tonight:
http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/accessories/quick_release_brackets/aluminum.aspxind

Does anyone else have this model bracket? If so, does yours bind up the last inch or so when pushing the motor onto the bottom half of the bracket?

I noticed it was binding even before I mounted the bracket to the motor.

It was binding when I placed it on the bow to mark the holes to drill.

I have to take a piece of wood and tap the edge to free the first inch.

I greased it up a little, same thing. It's not hitting the bolt heads.

This is a pain because it's my Daughter's boat and she is small and I have a hard time yanking it apart myself, so I know she won't be able to do it.

I can call Minn Kota but I first wanted to see if anyone else's bracket binds that last inch?

 

[Expidia]

Re: Minn Kota quick release bow bracket?

Follow up: I figured out what was wrong and why it was binding.

The cheap photocopied direction sheet was quite unclear.

I had the the bracket mounted backwards on the bottom of the Minn Kota so the little stop was causing the bracket to bend on the last inch and bind up.

I called their customer support was no help either as she was useless! I love spending money and calling customer support and since they pay them so little they are simply untrained with their product lines.

I also thought that the motor slid in from the outside of the boat. It slides in from the inside, so I had the bracket on the boat mounted backwards too. No biggy since the holes lined up the same when I turned it around.

If Minn Kota is made in Japan I think they imported a Chinese guy to write this sad direction sheet

 

[jimg984]

Re: Minn Kota quick release bow bracket?

i got a power drive V2, and my motor is stowed horz in the bracket

 

[Expidia]

Re: Minn Kota quick release bow bracket?

i got a power drive V2, and my motor is stowed horz in the bracket

Yes, mine stores horizonatally too. I just happened to drive home with it that way as the guy who I bought it from had it vertically. I was taking the whole thing off after I got it home anyway and putting the quick release bracket on.

 

[Ifish&hunt]

Re: Minn Kota quick release bow bracket?

Follow up: I figured out what was wrong and why it was binding.

The cheap photocopied direction sheet was quite unclear.

I had the the bracket mounted backwards on the bottom of the Minn Kota so the little stop was causing the bracket to bend on the last inch and bind up.

I called their customer support was no help either as she was useless! I love spending money and calling customer support and since they pay them so little they are simply untrained with their product lines.

I also thought that the motor slid in from the outside of the boat. It slides in from the inside, so I had the bracket on the boat mounted backwards too. No biggy since the holes lined up the same when I turned it around.

If Minn Kota is made in Japan I think they imported a Chinese guy to write this sad direction sheet

I found a powerdrive v2 on craigs list first thing i did was go get a quick release plate I love it the directions are not very good though I figured if the liitle wing bolt failed I would like for the motor to slide into the boat not off the bow I fish from the back so the chances of me catching it are nun

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Minn Kota quick release bow bracket?

If you have the bracket installed correctly, you will notice a very large pin at the front of the bracket. That pin prevents the motor from going off the boat if the locking bolt is not in place. That's why the motor also installs from inside the boat rather than outside. There are three fail safe devices here. The pin, the thumb screw, and the provision for a lock.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Minn Kota quick release bow bracket?

Ya, I bought her a combo brass lock at Walmart. It's small and has a little longer shank (like they show in their directions) which makes it easy to hook on. Nice thing with the combo is that she won't have another key to lose.

I told her to always keep the lock on when it's mounted on the boat as a fail safe. I know at some point she is going to lose that wing nut. I might make up some type of clevis pin to replace the cheap plastic wing nut. It should at least have been on a teather.

 

[Splat]

Re: Minn Kota quick release bow bracket?

With mine I don't see loosing the wing nut a problem, I just know one day no matter how careful I am I will crossthread it. It's my only complaint with the bracket.

At that point i'l just solely rely on the lock to hold it in place.

BIll

 

[Expidia]

Re: Minn Kota quick release bow bracket?

With mine I don't see loosing the wing nut a problem, I just know one day no matter how careful I am I will crossthread it. It's my only complaint with the bracket.

At that point i'l just solely rely on the lock to hold it in place.

BIll

I cross threaded it the first time I put it in because I noticed it was sitting at an angle! If we use just the lock the two bracket pieces are going to vibrate would be my quess.

It seems to thread OK now though. If I lose the wing nut I'll just go with a bolt or screw and keep a tool for it in my locker.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Minn Kota quick release bow bracket?

Check this baby out . . . But for $139 for a bracket . . . Yikes!

But I like the pin on a teather shown in the pic instead of the crappy wing nut that their $39 includes.

If I finally ever get to river test the power drive V2 in the $39 quick release that I installed . . . if it vibrates and makes noise I'm going to return it and spring for this one.

And excellent reviews by all 10 reviewers:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...&parentType=index&indexId=cat21380&hasJS=true