Skeeter Trolling Motor

[SkeeterZX20]

Just a comment for new Skeeter boat owners. I recently purchased a new ZX20 and noticed that the trolling motor head was actually hitting my hull when stowing the motor. The trolling motor was adjusted about 4 -6 inch back (shortening it). As the motor was deployed or stowed the head actually knocked a small chuck out of the gel. I haved played with the length shortening it and lengthening it to find that the head should be fully extended to miss the hull. Upon delpoyment or stowing the motor head must be to the left side. The head will then ride the rub rail once it is off the motor base and miss the hull. The oppisite will happen as you stow the motor. This was a fairly high price to pay (gel coat damage) because someone did not take the time to properly adjust the motor or educate me on this issue. I have several friends with newer Skeeters and most are experiencing the same issue. We are riding around in our shiny new boats with the gel coat missing on the point of the hull.... bummer!!! Someone at Skeeter / Yamaha should take the time to properly adjust the placement specification of the Minnkota Fortex trolling motors as to not allow the head to come in contact with the hull at any time. Most folks are too focused on fishing to pay attention if all is perfect in the deployment and stow of their trolling motor... just my two cents.

[corybyrum]

Mine does this too and im just careful when I put it up. It has nothing to do with skeeter its those dam minn kotas arent balanced. Really no adjustment for it unless you raise the motor way up. I never really saw it as a problem.

[Meleagris1]

I stow my fortrex with the prop end of the motor facing the starboard side. You don't want the trolling motor mounted too far forward, otherwise on a steep ramp you could rip it right off as the nose drops off the front roller (watch your SI transducers on steep ramps!). If you put your foot on the pedal as you raise the TM, it will hold it in place while you stow and you won't have any issues. If you just grab the pull cord and rip it up, it possible to have a problem on any boat, not just Skeeters, seen the same thing on Tritons.