Trolling Motor Vibration

[Long Mike]

I have a new MotorGuide 54lb, transom-mount five-speed that works just great until I set it to the hisghest speed.  It then then begins to vibrate badly.  I can feel it through the handle.  Because this model is MotorGuide's cheapest, is this something that should be expected, or should I return it to BPS?

[Its a big one]

return it!!!

[Long Mike]

Thanks. You are a big help.   : :

[cart7t]

Thanks. You are a big help.   : :

Ok, since you didn't like the "return it" answer  ....

That's the way it is, you bought a cheap trolling motor so live with the vibration. You might want to make a trip to the dentist to have your fillings secured.  

[Minuteman]

One of the guys can probably help if you mention the type of boat. My little 10' Jon would vibrate a little with only a 30Lb TM on high. In fact if it didn't vibrate I knew the battery was getting low.

It might have something bent.  Sorry I can't really help better than that.

[senile1]

On Minn Kotas the drive pin which fits through the slot on the shaft, and drives the prop, will get bent and this will cause vibration at higher speeds.  I don't know if MotorGuide uses the same thing, but if they do, it is an easy fix, and very cheap, to replace the drive pin.  Check your manual to see if it uses a pin or something similar to drive the prop.  If so, remove the prop and check to see if the pin is bent.  Since the motor is new the dealer should replace it free of charge.  That is, if you don't want to return it.

[PutPut]

new ,I would return it while you can. pull it part way out of the water and ren it with less resistance and see if the vibration is less or the same. It may have something to do with where it is mounted.Good luck

[Guest avid]

dude.

Return it.

By YOUR definition it is unsatisfactory. Return it, pay a few bucks more and walk out with confidence.

The increased enjoyment you will have fishing and boating will more than offset the price difference.

"Live long and prosper"

avid

[Team_Dougherty]

The first thing you should do is check to see if the prop is damaged. Second see if there is line ore something tangled around the shaft behind the prop. Then you should check to see if the shaft is bent.  Most electric motor vibration problems come from damaged prop.

[dizzy5868]

If the shaft is set too low in the water it will vibrate. The more shaft in the water means more flexing in the shaft. You need to set the motor height. It sounds like your too deep. The top of the bullet should be even with the bottom of the boat. Ifthis does'nt fix it then there is a problem with the prop shaft.

[Long Mike]

Dizzy5868, I think you just diagnosed my problem.  As a boat newbie, I've been running the motor at least a foot beneath the keel - maybe even more.  I'm going fishing on Friday. I'll raise the motor until the prop is just an inch or so below the water.  I'll keep you advised.

[dizzy5868]

Glad to help, Try it out. You may have to play with height a little to get it right but that sounds your problem. Transom mounted trolling motors are famous for doing this. It has alot to do with how the motor is mounted. Motor Guide  shafts are made of steel and transfer vibration very well. Minn Kota shafts are composite and absorm alot of the vibration. Proper height will solve 90% of the problem.

Good Luck and let me know how you make out.

Rob

[NBR]

I would definitly return it. It is possible the rotor is out of balance and the vibration could cause other problems. Whether it the bottom or top of the line you should not have a vibration problem.

[Guest avid]

Read your manual.  I am certain that they will suggest you run the prop a foot or more below the waterline.  "a few inches" is way too shallow.

I don't understand this post.  You asked in your initial post if you should return it, then you gave a sarcastic reply to the member who took his time to confirm what you were already thinking.  Now several other members, including myself are suggesting the same thing yet you are trying to "diagnose the problem"

I'm curious.  If the motor is new and the vibration is strong enough for you to doubt the quality.

Why on earth would you keep it?

[Long Mike]

dizzy5868, you were absolutly right (you too PutPut.)  I was running the motor too deep.  I took the boat out today and ran the prop about six inches under water.  I took Avid's advice and read the manual and this was the suggested setting.  The vibration completely disappeared.  Had I read the manual to begin with, I never would have started this thread.  Apoligies to all for taking up your time.   :-[ :-[

Avid, as I mentioned in a reply to dizzy, I am a boat newbie.  Rather than return the motor, I thought it best to seek advice from those more experienced than I.  As it turns out, the information provided to me by the members put me on the right track.  If you think I was being sarcastic to the member who simply responded "return it," you are correct.  I don't mind being told to return it, but without any input as to WHY I should return it, the information is totally useles to me or to anyone else.

Mike

[dizzy5868]

Mike I'm glad it worked out for you. When all else fails read the directions.  You will notice that boat will move a little quicker with motor set right. Less drag.

Rob

[Long Mike]

Rob, you know the old sayings, "Real Men Never Ask for Directions" and "Real Men Never Read the Directions."  In both cases they left out the word "Stupid."

Thanks Again,

Mike

[Its a big one]

long mike     you did not ask for help you ask if you should return it. :

[Guest avid]

I never owned a motor guide, and after reading this I'm glad to be an MK guy.

I adjust the depth of the motor based on weeds, wind, and other factors related to the fishing conditions.

Vibration at any depth is not an issue.

[Catt]

Vibration at any depth is unacceptable  

Like avid said in wind you'll need to lower it & then what deal with a vibration?

I don't think so  

That vibration at any depth aint normal sounds like you have a bent prop shaft so why fish defective equipment, trade in.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Between Dirk and I we have 4 endura 55's.  

Like Avid, I constantly adjust the length to be condusive to where I am and what I'm doing.  If I get vibration at any depth (and this does happen periodically), I pull the prop and remove the line that is surely wrapped on the shaft.  Keep a few shear pins and nuts in your tackle box also.

[Way2slow]

I've been running MotorGuides at least 25 years and have had more of them than I remember. The ONLY times I've ever had a problem with vibration is:

When the prop nut gets loose

When something wraps around the prop or prop shaft

I bend the prop shaft or damage a blade

I've never had the depth cause vibration. If you have to run it a foot deep to keep it from vibrating, what are you going to do the first time your trying to fish a wind blown point where threre are rolling white caps or a lot of wakes from boat traffic, the bow is pitching a couple of feet and even with the TM as deep as it will go, still won't stay in the water? Just not fish those key locations and keep it in calm water.

If that motor is vibrating set deep in the water, there is a problem that's not suppose to be there.

[NO CATCH]

On 11/15/2006 at 7:47 AM, dizzy5868 said:

If the shaft is set too low in the water it will vibrate. The more shaft in the water means more flexing in the shaft. You need to set the motor height. It sounds like your too deep. The top of the bullet should be even with the bottom of the boat. Ifthis does'nt fix it then there is a problem with the prop shaft.

Thanks. You just solved my problem also. I was just getting ready to return my new Minnkota to BPS.