Minn Kota Ulterra Lift Belt broke - less than 24 hours

[mwardncsu]

While trolling.. I went to move it down a little and it came loose. Looks like it just came out off the tensioner on the head.

It wouldn't deploy at all after that. Just kept saying motor error.

Talked with a buddy tonight and it turns out the story I heard was actually of his.... he has a skiff and hit a good wake and when the boat jarred the belt "broke" (or came loose???) within the head and the motor deployed while he was riding around 30 mph. MinnKota took care of it under warranty and even shipped a unit to a local dealer who had one in stock so that he could get back to his fishing trip (was down in FL for vacation) and MK backfilled the dealers inventory.

He was using a RAM trolling motor stablizier - not sure if he had the pipe clamp type or was using some other attachment to secure the shaft - but apparently it yanked that loose when it "deployed". Must've been a good bump. He's now changed to the new screw clamp attachment from RAM

Makes me a little worried about the robustness of the belt clamp within the head - I'll be picking up a stabilizer as well very soon.

[jessemyers]

Talked with a buddy tonight and it turns out the story I heard was actually of his.... he has a skiff and hit a good wake and when the boat jarred the belt "broke" (or came loose???) within the head and the motor deployed while he was riding around 30 mph. MinnKota took care of it under warranty and even shipped a unit to a local dealer who had one in stock so that he could get back to his fishing trip (was down in FL for vacation) and MK backfilled the dealers inventory.

He was using a RAM trolling motor stablizier - not sure if he had the pipe clamp type or was using some other attachment to secure the shaft - but apparently it yanked that loose when it "deployed". Must've been a good bump. He's now changed to the new screw clamp attachment from RAM

Makes me a little worried about the robustness of the belt clamp within the head - I'll be picking up a stabilizer as well very soon.

I am using a RAM mount with the medium sized Claw from Ram. I really like it. Gives me the freedom to leave the claw grip loose, and the motor can be deployed and stowed easily, and rest on the claw. In very rough conditions, I can tighten the claw grips. Give it a look.

[crc863]

I got mine fixed under warranty. The tech said it just seems the tension was not set properly from the factory. I haven't had rough conditions yet but are you all having problems with the belt getting un-adjusted from major bumps while cruising?

I was thinking of getting a ram mount but was told the Ulterra doesn't need one.