Maxxum Question

[cbass12]

I have found a Minn Kota Maxxum 70 with variable speed on craigslist here in town for $300. The guy selling it swapped it out for a brand new (same model with a tiller handle) motor. The one I'm interested in came off of a 2004 Lund. My question is, should I have any reservations about buying a motor that could possibly be almost ten years old? He doesn't know how old it is so I'm going to have him check the serial numbers for me later so I can verify the year. In the back of my mind I'm hoping the original owner had upgraded motors at some point and this motor is only 5 years old or less. Thanks for any help!!

[Fishing_Cory]

If possible I would just check it out, cables, connections, overall condition of the trolling motor.  The boat I bought last fall had an older maxxum on it and the circuit board went out on it in about 2 months of me owning it.  If I remember it was about 200 dollars for the new circuit board which are the same they use in all the new ones now so I shouldn't have any more problems with that.  Good Luck

[slimshad]

I have a maxxum 80 and it has been on the boat since new. 2002.  Other than the little pointing arrow breaking a few times, I have not had any issues.  Knock on wood. 

[cbass12]

I went and looked at it last night and it looked great...except for the prop not spinning completely level. I assumed something in the shaft that it sits on was bent. I told him I was going to pass because of that, but he said he was going to get a new prop and check the shaft tonight. If the shaft is not bent he's going to let me know and I may go back and hook it up to a battery to give it a test run. I guess I should have had him take the prop off last night so we could have inspected it a little further.

[slonezp]

Could have been a bent shear pin. They cost around a buck.

[cbass12]

Could have been a bent shear pin. They cost around a buck.

I might get back with him tomorrow evening, it was a great deal and was in almost perfect condition for a 9 year old motor. You can tell the previous owner didn't use it much. He is selling it because it came on a lund he bought, but he prefers a tiller handle for the deep v boats.

[ww2farmer]

There is almost nothing on a Maxxum that can't be fixed. If it runs, and is in good shape AND you can get it for a decent price buy it. If the prop is a little wobbly it's more than likely a bent armature shaft..............been there, done that. $150 to fix at the local TM repair shop, and that included new brushes, bearings, and seals, less if your handy and can DIY.  I wouldn't walk because of that if the rest of the motor is in good shape, but I sure wouldn't pay his asking price either.

[cbass12]

I talked to him tonight and he said the pin was bent and the shaft itself was bent a little as well. He's asking $300. If I did make an offer it would be about $200 considering I would have to make some repairs to it. The guy at the repair center in town said if I could get it for $200 it would be a good deal because the repairs would be around $100-125.

[cbass12]

Thanks again for all the help guys!! I'm trying to replace the edge I bought last year that I am extremely unhappy with.

[WIGuide]

If you want to be happy get a Motorguide haha. 200 to 225 would be a pretty good deal for it. If that's what you're looking for I'd say go for it!

[cbass12]

He was only willing to go as low as $250 two days ago. The guy that runs the minn kota/motor guide service center in town told me that anything over $200 was too much because the armature will most likely have to be replaced, but it would be a good deal at that price. Sent the guy an email last night and explained that to him and he left me a message this morning saying that he would take $200     

So now all I have to do is pick it up and get it to the repair shop.

[BigBassLoveSenkos]

I have a maxxum 70 on my rig and would have jumped at that craiglist listing!  They are solid motors.  The mount is maybe the best trolling motor mount of them all.  If my maxxum ever does break down, I'll be getting another one.