GARMIN Force Trolling Motor Issue: (Head Free Play)

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[@MrRourk]

Just got back from trying the 1 inch Kopyto Shad - Rigged up Spine Rig with 32833NP-BN Size 8 hooks and 1/64oz nail weight.
The fish loved it in the morning.

[@fishinjoe9848]

So happy I waited a couple years and went with the lowrance ghost. That thing is a tank. Started to see a lot of issues coming from garmin recently.

[@ifishcatfish]

im thinking of getting that one too. Im just waiting for something to happen to this

[@unbalancedredneck5778]

I have been waiting since February on my Garmin force trolling motor. If you had it to do all over again would you still purchase the Garmin? I’m planning on using it for my 20 ft pontoon mostly for catfish. Since I have not taken delivery I’m still able to back out. Just wondering if you would make a different choice knowing what you know now about the motor.

[@allenbmooresharinginformation]

Look at his full review video on it.

[@unbalancedredneck5778]

@@allenbmooresharinginformation thank you. I will definitely check it out.

[@ifishcatfish]

Actually, for your purpose I do think its good! This is THE ONLY THING its good for - strong like a horse! You gona need it for the pontoon.
But for people who want to fish bass or crappie and want good control and no lag - this is no good. Better buy an old Minnkota.

[@jp040759]

That is messed up for a $3k device.

[@tmise50]

I’d still take this over any Minn Kota. Minn Kota needs to have a 10 year warranty because you’ll need it and especially with the Ulterra!

[@ifishcatfish]

fair

[@calebsmith1454]

The new ones don't have these anymore

[@ifishcatfish]

Really? What does the bolt go into?

[@AddictedAngler]

I am sure they going to upgrade it later on

[@ifishcatfish]

i think so

[@AddictedAngler]

@@ifishcatfish it’s a new product they need to work out bugs and design flaws , make sure u email them and some companies will give u upgraded parts for free.

[@AddictedAngler]

Even compasate for labor

[@Tallnerdyguy]

My only issue with my garmin trolling motor is that I don't have $2k+ for trolling motor 😁 good info though.

[@ifishcatfish]

when you buy it you will have more issues. And its 3K

[@Tallnerdyguy]

@@ifishcatfish hey I saw one for $2200...but pretty sure it was open box or floor model. I will just keep my x5

[@philhicks2167]

Have you looked into bronze oilite bushings? My work would get them from Motion industry. Anyone else?

[@ifishcatfish]

by the time i find something good, i will have sold it and have something else. I don't like this trolling motor anyway. The only reason I did this video is for GARMIN to address it so others dont suffer

[@mandogfish7418]

@@ifishcatfish what will you replace it with?

[@ifishcatfish]

Eventually Minnkota will release a brushless motor.. Brushless Ultrex is what i want.

[@mandogfish7418]

@@ifishcatfish hopefully they will. I can't see fishing without my Ulterra. The electric stow & deploy as well as the electric trim is priceless.

[@ifishcatfish]

except on lake Michigan in December : ) Froze on me a few times..

[@vincentkolb717]

Every trolling motor develops play over time if you use them.

[@ifishcatfish]

with that attitude, you don't need to fix or improve anything, because it will just wear over time..

[@jordannaumov]

Can you provide an update on the free play?

[@ifishcatfish]

the free play eventually comes back and you have to remove and replace the tape. It is tape, not plastic. But feels very good at first. You can keep it stock if u don't like the tape solution

[@mattymattmatt101]

Garmin doesn't have a break away system. Instead the count on those bushings as shock absorbers along with flex in the shaft to absorb impacts. That's why the base is large compared to competitors. Easy solution would be to call Garmin for some spares. They're great to work with. (Minute 11 explains the details of this. ua-cam.com/video/CiT31X2h-dw/v-deo.html)

[@ifishcatfish]

for $ 3000 it should come with some spares, but I don't agree this is a good design. These developed free play very fast on my trolling motor and then its annoying when u give gas and it wobbles..

[@CT-gc1ck]

How long did the tape last? Is it still working?

[@ifishcatfish]

Its still there. I have not replaced it since this video. Not as tight as when i put it but i still think its better than without it

[@CT-gc1ck]

@@ifishcatfish awesome thank you for your reply. I'd like to hear that they have a fix for this and that it's an actual issue.

[@CT-gc1ck]

I started to develop shaking when having a small amount of weeds on. It's good through open water. I contacted Garmin and was sent out new bushings. Sounds like it's only a matter of time before this happens again if it works. I barely use mine, too. Once I change it out, I'll also add tape and lube, I guess. Do you still have issues?

[@MAX99999]

If you have a digital caliper and can give me dimensions, I can print the entire assembly with the flange on my prusa 3D printer.

[@ifishcatfish]

tell me where to find a high quality digital caliper? I have two, and they are both flimsy and i dont trust them in the margins. I went on amazon and everything there costs 20 dollars and looks exactly like the ones I already have. I want to have one expensive one, that I know i can trust.

[@Tallnerdyguy]

Would it support the weight of the motor pulling the boat?

[@MAX99999]

@@Tallnerdyguy it can’t be any more stronger or weaker than those plastic bushings he has now. Of course, this is a guess and I am not an engineer. The Astm on pla is 4.18 gt lb per inch and a compressive strength of 2600 standard 13600 psi. There are other materials like pla+ which will be stronger. Printing is also based on infill, it can be solid of a design such as linear or honeycomb etc.

[@projectnext5020]

@@MAX99999 I think that would be the best solution, You can create a harder bushing, the tape will crush a very short time. There is just a lot of torque in a small supported area on most trolling motors.

[@davidbaker1359]

Needs to be made out of brass!

[@ifishcatfish]

yes!

[@davidbaker1359]

I will say the design is to wear the plastic bushing before wearing the mount it self!

[@ifishcatfish]

they replaced this in next models because this free play is maddening

[@davidbaker1359]

@@ifishcatfish I just got a new one last week and it has the plastic bushings in it. Now I don’t know when this unit was built! 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@ifishcatfish]

@@davidbaker1359 Take my words - u gona be putting tape there in just one month.

[@davidbaker1359]

@@ifishcatfish I might be! 🤷🏻‍♂️but if I keep having problems I’ll have some made from brass or bronze! 👍

[@mandogfish7418]

I'm very happy with my Minn Kota Ulterra.