Phone:
(701)814-6992
Physical address:
6296 Donnelly Plaza
Ratkeville, Bahamas.
Trolling Motor & Fishing Electronics Care
On many small fishing boats, the trolling motor and fish finder get almost as much use as the outboard.
Sometimes more.
They help position the boat, work shorelines, hold over structure, navigate shallow water and find what you’re actually out there looking for.
Fish.
Modern trolling motors and marine electronics are dependable equipment, but they’re installed in a demanding environment involving water, vibration, sunlight, heat and substantial electrical loads.
The Tin Can Boat Works Trolling Motor & Fishing Electronics Care Guide covers practical inspection and maintenance for the equipment commonly installed on aluminum fishing boats.
The goal isn’t complicated:
Keep it secure. Keep it powered. Keep the connections clean. Pay attention when something changes.
Jump To:
Quick Checks | Trolling Motor | Prop & Shaft | Mounts | Power & Wiring | Fish Finders | Transducers | Connections & Corrosion | Storage & Records
Quick Trolling Motor & Electronics Check
Before heading to the water, take a few minutes to check the equipment.
Trolling Motor
Check:
- Battery charge
- Battery connections
- Breaker or fuse
- Power plug and receptacle
- Wiring
- Mount
- Propeller
- Shaft
- Steering operation
- Deployment and stowing
- Remote or foot pedal where applicable
Fish Finder & Electronics
Check:
- Unit powers on
- Display is secure
- Power cable
- Connections
- Transducer
- Transducer cable
- Mounting brackets
- GPS or networking equipment where applicable
After Fishing
Look for:
- Fishing line around the trolling-motor prop
- Propeller damage
- Loose hardware
- Damaged cables
- Wet or corroded connections
- Transducer damage
- Equipment that behaved differently during the trip
Problems with fishing electronics rarely improve because you ignored them until the next tournament morning.
Trolling Motor Care
Trolling motors vary considerably.
They may be:
- Bow-mounted
- Transom-mounted
- Hand-controlled
- Foot-controlled
- Cable-steer
- Electric-steer
- GPS-enabled
They may operate on 12-, 24- or 36-volt electrical systems.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the particular motor installed on your boat.
Inspect Before Use
Look over the trolling motor before launching.
Check:
- Mount
- Shaft
- Motor housing
- Propeller
- Wiring
- Plug
- Controls
- Cables
- Fasteners
If something is loose in the driveway, it’s unlikely to tighten itself on the lake.
Deploy and Stow the Motor
Make sure the motor deploys and stows normally.
Pay attention to:
- Binding
- Excessive movement
- Damaged mechanisms
- Loose components
- Unusual resistance
GPS-equipped motors may also contain sensitive electronics and steering components inside the head or mount.
Don’t force a mechanism that isn’t operating normally.
Find out why.
Follow Manufacturer Lubrication Instructions
Some trolling-motor components may require specific maintenance while others shouldn’t be lubricated at all.
Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions rather than spraying lubricant everywhere that moves.
Future Resource: Trolling Motor Inspection & Routine Maintenance →
Propeller & Shaft
The trolling-motor prop operates in exactly the type of water where fishing line, weeds and debris tend to live.
Inspect it regularly.
Check the Propeller
Look for:
- Cracks
- Chips
- Bent blades
- Missing material
- Heavy vegetation
- Fishing line
A damaged propeller can affect performance and create vibration.
Check Behind the Prop
Fishing line wrapped around the shaft deserves particular attention.
Line can work its way behind the propeller and potentially interfere with seals or other components.
Periodically remove the propeller according to the manufacturer’s procedure and inspect the shaft area.
If you fish frequently, this is one of the easiest preventive checks you can perform.
Inspect the Shaft
Look for:
- Bending
- Damage
- Heavy scratches
- Corrosion
- Abnormal movement
A significant impact with a stump, dock or underwater obstruction deserves a closer inspection.
Future Resource: Trolling Motor Propeller & Shaft Care →
Trolling Motor Mounts
The trolling-motor mount absorbs considerable force.
Every time the motor pushes or turns the boat, those forces eventually reach the mounting hardware and deck.
Inspect:
- Mounting bolts
- Brackets
- Deck
- Backing hardware
- Quick-release plates where equipped
- Hinges
- Locking mechanisms
Look for Movement
Excessive movement can indicate:
- Loose fasteners
- Damaged mounting hardware
- Worn components
- Deck problems
Don’t simply keep tightening hardware without determining why it repeatedly becomes loose.
Aluminum Boat Installations
On an aluminum boat, proper mounting and material selection matter.
Hardware, backing plates and fasteners should be appropriate for:
- Load
- Marine use
- Aluminum construction
- Corrosion environment
Poorly planned modifications can eventually damage the deck or create corrosion problems.
Power, Batteries & Wiring
Trolling motors can draw considerably more electrical current than most other equipment on a small fishing boat.
The electrical system needs to be designed accordingly.
Know Your System Voltage
Know whether your trolling motor operates on:
- 12 volts
- 24 volts
- 36 volts
Also understand how the batteries are configured.
Don’t assume because the boat has two batteries that you understand what each one does.
One may start the outboard while another powers electronics.
Or two may be connected together to supply a 24-volt trolling motor.
Know your boat.
Battery Condition
Inspect trolling-motor batteries for:
- Proper charge
- Secure mounting
- Clean terminals
- Tight connections
- Case damage
- Corrosion
- Damaged cables
Use charging equipment compatible with the battery chemistry installed.
Wiring Size Matters
Trolling motors draw substantial current.
Proper wire size depends on factors including:
- Motor requirements
- Current
- Voltage
- Circuit length
Undersized wiring can contribute to voltage drop and excessive heat.
Follow the trolling-motor manufacturer’s wiring recommendations and appropriate marine electrical practices.
Circuit Protection
Trolling-motor circuits should use appropriate overcurrent protection where required.
That may involve a:
- Circuit breaker
- Fuse
The size and type need to match the equipment and circuit requirements.
Don’t replace a breaker with a larger one simply because the original keeps tripping.
A repeatedly tripping breaker is telling you something.
Find the problem.
Plugs & Receptacles
If the trolling motor uses a plug, periodically inspect:
- Plug
- Receptacle
- Contacts
- Wiring
- Mounting
Look for:
- Corrosion
- Heat damage
- Loose contacts
- Discoloration
- Melted plastic
- Poor connection
High-current connections deserve particular attention.
Heat around a trolling-motor plug isn’t something to ignore.
Explore Boat Battery & Electrical System Care →
Future Resource: Understanding 12V, 24V & 36V Trolling Motor Systems →
Fish Finders & Marine Electronics
Modern fish finders can combine:
- Sonar
- GPS
- Mapping
- Side imaging
- Down imaging
- Networking
- Engine information
- Trolling-motor integration
They’re essentially specialized computers mounted on a fishing boat.
Treat them accordingly.
Inspect the Display
Check:
- Mount
- Bracket
- Knobs
- Screen
- Power cable
- Connections
The display should remain secure while underway.
Clean the Screen Properly
Follow the electronics manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations.
Avoid aggressive cleaners or abrasive materials that could damage:
- Screen coatings
- Plastics
- Seals
A soft compatible cloth and manufacturer-approved method is a better choice than whatever glass cleaner happens to be under the kitchen sink.
Protect Connectors
When displays are removable, protect exposed connectors when the unit isn’t installed.
Keep them:
- Clean
- Dry
- Protected from debris
Don’t allow loose connectors to sit where they can collect water.
Software & Mapping
Some modern electronics use:
- Firmware updates
- Mapping updates
- Memory cards
- Mobile applications
- Network updates
Follow the manufacturer’s procedures.
If the unit is working properly, don’t randomly change settings or software immediately before an important fishing trip without understanding what the update does.
The boat ramp is a poor place to discover that your electronics now want a password you don’t remember.
Future Resource: Fish Finder Care & Maintenance →
Transducer Care
The fish finder can only interpret the information the transducer provides.
Inspect the transducer periodically.
Check the Mount
Look for:
- Loose hardware
- Damage
- Movement
- Incorrect position
- Impact damage
Transom-mounted transducers are particularly exposed to underwater objects and trailer-related damage.
Inspect the Transducer Surface
Keep the transducer surface reasonably clean.
Heavy:
- Algae
- Marine growth
- Mud
- Debris
can interfere with performance.
Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
Inspect the Cable
Check the transducer cable for:
- Cuts
- Crushing
- Abrasion
- Pinching
- Loose routing
Avoid unnecessary splicing or modification unless specifically permitted by the equipment manufacturer.
Performance Changes Can Be Clues
If sonar performance suddenly changes, consider more than the display itself.
Possible areas to inspect include:
- Transducer position
- Damage
- Wiring
- Connections
- Voltage
- Settings
A new problem after striking something underwater deserves a physical inspection before spending an hour changing menu settings.
Future Resource: Fish Finder Transducer Installation & Care →
Connections & Corrosion
Marine electrical connections live in a difficult environment.
Water and electricity aren’t particularly good roommates.
Inspect connections for:
- Corrosion
- Loose terminals
- Damaged insulation
- Heat
- Discoloration
- Poor seals
- Chafing
Watch for Green or White Corrosion
Visible corrosion around electrical components indicates that moisture has reached an area where it doesn’t belong.
Don’t simply clean the visible material and forget about it.
Determine why the connection became exposed.
Use Marine-Appropriate Components
Repairs and additions should use components appropriate for the marine environment.
That includes consideration of:
- Wire
- Terminals
- Connectors
- Heat-shrink protection
- Circuit protection
- Fasteners
The cheapest automotive connector in a drawer isn’t automatically the best choice for a boat.
Aluminum Requires Thoughtful Installation
When installing equipment on an aluminum hull, consider:
- Dissimilar metals
- Fastener materials
- Isolation
- Water intrusion
- Wire protection
- Sharp aluminum edges
Electrical installation and corrosion prevention often overlap on an aluminum boat.
Explore Aluminum Boat Hull Care & Inspection →
Saltwater Use
Trolling motors and electronics intended for saltwater environments still require care.
After saltwater use, follow each manufacturer’s recommendations.
That may include freshwater rinsing of appropriate:
- Trolling-motor components
- Mounts
- Shafts
- Exterior surfaces
Avoid directing high-pressure water into electrical connectors or areas not intended for water intrusion.
Inspect:
- Electrical plugs
- Fasteners
- Mounts
- Wiring
- Battery areas
for developing corrosion.
Saltwater-capable doesn’t mean saltwater-maintenance-free.
Storage & Equipment Records
When storing the boat, protect electronics and trolling-motor equipment from unnecessary exposure.
Between Trips
Consider:
- Charging batteries
- Turning off appropriate battery switches
- Removing portable electronics when desired
- Protecting connectors
- Securing the trolling motor
- Allowing wet areas to dry
Follow equipment manufacturers’ storage recommendations.
Keep Equipment Information
Record the important equipment installed on the boat.
For the trolling motor:
- Manufacturer
- Model
- Serial number
- Thrust
- Voltage
- Shaft length
- Breaker or fuse size
- Battery configuration
For electronics:
- Manufacturer
- Model
- Serial number
- Transducer model
- Software information where useful
- Mapping equipment
- Network components
Also keep available:
- Owner’s manuals
- Wiring information
- Purchase information
- Replacement-part numbers
For a serialized Tin Can build, this information can become part of the boat’s Digital Owner’s Manual.
That means the owner can scan the boat’s QR code and identify exactly what equipment was installed when the boat was built.
When Something Isn’t Working
Before assuming an expensive piece of equipment has failed, start with the basics.
Check:
- Battery charge
- Voltage
- Battery connections
- Fuse
- Circuit breaker
- Power switch
- Plug
- Wiring
- Grounds
- Equipment connections
Many electrical problems are ultimately power-delivery problems.
Pay Attention to Intermittent Problems
Equipment that:
- Randomly turns off
- Restarts
- Flickers
- Loses sonar
- Works when a wire is moved
- Causes a breaker to trip
is giving you useful diagnostic information.
Don’t accept intermittent operation as normal.
Heat and Burning Odors Require Attention
If wiring, plugs or electrical components become unusually hot or show:
- Melted insulation
- Discoloration
- Smoke
- Burning odor
stop using the affected circuit and determine the cause.
Don’t solve overheating by installing a larger fuse.
The fuse wasn’t the problem.
Fishing Equipment Should Help You Fish
Trolling motors and electronics have transformed small fishing boats.
A properly equipped aluminum jon boat or V-hull can now have:
- GPS-controlled boat positioning
- Detailed mapping
- Side imaging
- Down imaging
- High-resolution sonar
- Multiple displays
- Sophisticated battery systems
But more equipment also means more systems to maintain.
Keep batteries charged.
Keep connections clean.
Protect wiring.
Inspect the trolling motor.
Check the propeller.
Look at the transducer.
Pay attention when equipment behaves differently.
And keep the system organized enough that you can understand it when something stops working.
The electronics don’t need to become the fishing trip.
They’re there to help you have a better one.
Tin Can Boat Works
Small Boats. Serious Fishing.