36 Fortrex steering funny.

[LionHeart]

So I bought a used Fortrex 112 with a 52" shaft and noticed the steering is acting strange.

 

At higher power settings(generally above 60%), the foot pedal gets fairly tight when the motor is swinging between the 8-10 o'clock position.  Strangely this either doesn't occur or isn't noticeable at lower power settings.  With the boat in the driveway and motor deployed off the bow, it swings perfectly fine.

 

Anyone have any thought about this?  The shaft doesn't look bent or damaged, but obviously something ain't right.

 

I'm new to foot controlled trolling motors so not sure what to investigate.  Any advice/opinions would be much appreciated.  Thanks.

[airshot]

Not sure about your particuler model, but a few years back I had a minn kota cable drive foot pedal that acted weird at different speeds.  Was told it was the torque feedback thru the steering cable. Pushing on the pedal operated a cable drive mechanism and the torque created by power to the motor fed back thru the cable...  No idea if this is your problem, but might be food for thought.

[LionHeart]

Any fix that you know of?

[Jig Man]

I’ve never owned a cable drive trolling motor that wasn’t effected by torque at certain speeds or directions.  You might call Minn Kota customer support and ask them.

[A-Jay]

Been running a 112 Fortrex on a 62 " shaft for a while now.

Any setting above say 7 up to the max 10,

the straight line speed is impressive.

However foot pedal 'steering' in virtually impossible without backing off on the juice.

Been that way since day 1.

Not a 'problem' for me as I rarely use my trolling motor to travel any 'distance'

and if I do, I'm not in a hurry.

Otherwise that TM motor is a rock star.

YMMV

A-Jay

 

[Johnbt]

I have had the same type of steering problem with my MK Maxxum 70 since I bought it in 2014. Of course having it on a 1648 Grizzly could have a little to do with it. That, and the 55# MK Endura Max on the transom. I seldom run either above 30% or maybe 50% at times, but I have power to spare for windy days in the current if I need it. And the 3 Group 31 AGMs last forever.

Oh, and my mentor still has his old Maxxum 70 on his antique 1648 Polar Kraft mod-v and his does the same thing. I knew about it before I bought mine.

[airshot]

Last year bought a boat with a MK power drive with remote control..." Awesome"....never will go back to a foot pedal !!   Push button control/ steering from anywhere within range of the remote !!

[LionHeart]

Thanks for the input guys.  Will keep an eye on it and continue to assess.  Other that that I'm very happy with the motor.  Pulls my heavy boat very well.  Was doing 3 mph against 10 mph head wing.  Absolutely satisfied with the power and pleasantly surprised by the endurance.

 

Always been a 12volt handle steer owner till now, so having a 36 volt foot controlled has been a massive upgrade for me.  Thanks again for all the input.