Question About Shear Pins

[airborne_angler]

I have a 50# thrust trolling motor on my 12ft jon boat. The other day at the lake, the wind blew me into some rocks and I ended up breaking the shear pin. In emergency Macgyver style, I fashioned a replacement out of a cut down treble hook to get me back to the ramp.

There's noone local that sells replacement shear pins, the closest place is 60 miles away and my other option is to order it online with the possibility of recieving the wrong one.

Someone suggested going to the hardware store and getting some "hobby rod" made out of Brass and cut it to size. I also found some aluminum rod that will fit. Its 1/8 size. Think it will work?

[slonezp]

I think brass and aluminum are too soft.

[J Francho]

Didn't it come with an extra? I know my bow mount has an extra in the base.

[ww2farmer]

As a master of destroying trolling motors, I make sure I have shear pins on hand by the bushel. I ran out once, and fashioned one out of a nail until I got more in. It will work fine for an emergency, just fish open water. That way you can keep fishing while you wait for on to come in.......and don't just buy one.........in fact while your at it, buy a spare prop too.

[airborne_angler]

I bought the TM used.I've purchased the aluminum rod at the hardware store and fashioned like 10 pins out of it and plan on fishing well away from rocks and such until I can get a proper pin.And I plan on getting a spare prop too...thanks for the advice.

[Fishes in trees]

WW2 Farmer is right.  I don't know about carrying a bushel of shear pins, but I would carry several.

Carrying an extra prop for your trolling motor is a great idea as well.  No one local?   Really?  I would think that anyone who sells trolling motors and/or spare props should carry shear pins.   If they didn't, I would complain and raise the issue.

[senile1]

No kidding.  If there is a stump or treetop not visible under the water, one of my greatest skills is being able to find it with my trolling motor.  Always carry extra shear pins.  I agree with sloanzp that aluminum is too soft.

[jerzeeD]

I actually fashioned a new one out of a roofing nail when I was in a pinch. Used my angle grinder armed with a cutting wheel and chopped the head off of the nail....then cut the tip end off to match the needed length. Worked like a charm for a couple of months until I got the OEM shear pins.

[airborne_angler]

WW2 Farmer is right.  I don't know about carrying a bushel of shear pins, but I would carry several.

Carrying an extra prop for your trolling motor is a great idea as well.  No one local?   Really?  I would think that anyone who sells trolling motors and/or spare props should carry shear pins.   If they didn't, I would complain and raise the issue.

The only place that sells trolling motors locally is Walmart. I live in kind of a "one horse town" .Never seen shear pins or props at any Walmart I've ever visited...regardless of the location.

[senile1]

The only place that sells trolling motors locally is Walmart. I live in kind of a "one horse town" .Never seen shear pins or props at any Walmart I've ever visited...regardless of the location.

 

What is the brand and model of your trolling motor?  I run Minn Kotas and just search for Minn Kota Trolling motor shear pins.  The kit contains 2 pins, 2 prop nuts, and 2 washers and there is always a description stating what diameter trolling motor the parts fit and what props they work with.  I have bought a lot of shear pins online and never received the wrong ones.  It is a bit of a bummer to pay shipping on such a small package but you are better off paying the extra bucks to get the right parts, IMO.  You might be able to find yours on a site that provides free shipping if your purchase exceeds a specific amount.