Tag Archives: Minn Kota trolling motor

The quick-connect plug

Posted on November 20, 2007 | Comments Off on The quick-connect plug

The Minn Kota trolling motor worked fine in reverse yesterday getting the family sloop out of the slip at the marina. It also worked in forward, to get out of the marina altogether for an hour of sailing, though it was a bit slow at checking the heavy boat’s reverse motion. Then I smelled something burning. It was the plastic Minn Kota Trolling Motor Plug ("Quick Connect Plug With Snap-Lock Design for 6 to 12 Gauge Wire Sizes") connecting the power leads from the motor to the extension leads from the battery. Fortunately no flames. Just melted the plug ends together, making the ensemble permanent-snap-lock and no-release-at-all. So I’ve ordered a new plug. This time I won’t use a screwdriver to bend the connectors so the plugs will hold together. Maybe taping them together with Velcro will work. Sailing was fine, as always. It’s the "iron sail" that’s the problem, as usual.

Comments Off on The quick-connect plug

Posted in Sailing

Tagged ,

Going electric

Posted on October 4, 2007 | Comments Off on Going electric

The only really bad thing about sailing is having to mess with a motor to get you in and out of the marina, or bring you home in a flat calm. After months of nursing a recalcitrant, 10-year-old outboard with a mind of its own, and faced with the prospect of buying an expensive new one that wouldn’t be much better, I have opted for a cheaper trolling motor, instead. Like the other few Catalina 22 owners who have done it, I don’t expect to go anywhere fast under power, now, and will have to plan better to be more certain of the weather and the distances to be covered. But, for the first time in a long while, I’m looking forward to dealing with the motor phase of an outing instead of dreading it.

Comments Off on Going electric

Posted in Sailing

Tagged ,