Trolling motor (transom mount)

Question
I bought a used 27lb. thrust MinnKota and put it on the water for the first time this morning along with my first boat. My problem is that it is operating like a bow mount motor: I had to put it in reverse in order to move forward! Since I'm new to boating, any advice here would be much appreciated! Thanks.

Answer
Randy;  If this is like most trolling motors you can solve the problem of direction of propeller rotation  by simply reversing the leads to the battery.  Before doing this, however, check to see if there are electronic controls.  These might be damaged by reversing the polarity.  If if is an older motor this will not be a problem.
If it is a newer one then instead of reversing the leads at the battery find the location of the two leads coming out of the control that go directly to the motor and reverse them. They will be the largest wire and will likely be red and black or black and white.  If you can't get into the control box without great difficulty simply cut the leads somewhere between the control and the motor and splice them in reverse.  If there are multiple leads going into the motor from the control box carefully cut the insulation and find the two largest leads and reverse them.  Do not cut the smaller leads as they are speed control leads and might mess up the speed control.  You can buy connectors at any auto supply or electrical supply store to splice the leads you cut or you can simply twist them together and tape them carefully with electrical tape.  Then tape the outside several thickness' to protect from water.   

Of course another way of handling this situation is to make yourself a little deck to hold your motor on the bow and leave the wiring as it is.  A bow mounted motor is much more efficient in handling a boat  because it is pulling the boat instead of pushing it.  This isn't really a difficult job unless you are a right handed person with two left hands.

I hope this has been of some help.  I hope everything works out and you are able to catch a lot of fish.

If you are new to boating and are operating on anything but a very small pond I would advise you go to www.uspowersquadrons.org and sign up for their online boating course.  It will familiarize you with the important safety considerations and other important phases of boating.  I don't know if it costs anything but it is well worth the cost and effort and if my memory is right it will save you on your boat insurance.  I was a member of the U.S.Power Squadrons for many years until I moved to a place where there is no squadron.  I know for sure that what I learned from the courses saved my boat or even perhaps my life in three specific situations.  

Thanks for calling on me to answer your question.   If you have future questions don't hesitate to ask.

I am
Jack L. Gaither   (JackfromSeminole)
Lake Seminole, Georgia.