For many years I have used an electric transom trolling motor on my tiller boats. When motoring with the big motor I just tilt the electric up and go with the big motor. This year I got a new boat and discovered a new problem. When the temperature is around freezing some water spray from the big motor just happens to fall on the tilt latch of the electric — forming ice all around it. The electric motor latching mechanism then lets the motor fall down into the water at full speed. Note: this is not good for the electric motor as it rips off the prop, bends stuff, and can do much more damage if the electric comes off the boat at high speed.
Solution — I now have a safety rope with a quick disconnect snap on the electric to keep it from being deployed into the water when going with the big motor. It is used on cold days when things can freeze up.
Similar unwanted deployments could happen to any bow or transom mount electric motor on those freezing days. It is amazing how freezing weather can adversely affect much of our fishing gear.
Dave Gulczinski
