Minn Kota trolling motor quick release bracket

Hello. I’m having a new boat put together. I have an Ulterra going on it, and the dealer asked if I wanted a quick release bracket for it. Can anyone explain the pros and cons of having one?

Thanks in advance.

Pros- you can take it off easy for traveling or while at fishing camp lodging. Some travel covers fit a lot better with the TM removed.

Cons – if you leave it on without locking it down, someone can easily remove it and take it when you are parked at the motel, resort, etc

I have one on the TM and plan to put one on the electric anchor when I get it installed too.

I figured I’d have to lock it if I leave it on the boat. I’m just not understanding the need to take it on and off, but I’ve never had that capability before. So, I’m wondering the benefits of taking it off. I can see taking it off for traveling to protect it from getting damaged by flying objects off the road, but is there any other reason?

JMat wrote:

I figured I’d have to lock it if I leave it on the boat. I’m just not understanding the need to take it on and off, but I’ve never had that capability before. So, I’m wondering the benefits of taking it off. I can see taking it off for traveling to protect it from getting damaged by flying objects off the road, but is there any other reason?

I have a quick release and have a small padlock on it. Haven’t had a problem in three years and mine sits in my driveway from March until November. It’s VERY nice to have if you need to take it off to do repairs or bring it in for repairs.

Do you take it off a lot?

The Ulterra is a heavy SOB. I don’t remove mine.

It’s nice if u shrink wrap for winter, just take motor and bracket off

I plan to store it in my garage all year.

I am getting a RAM mount to stabilize it when I travel. Other than protecting it from rocks flying up, I think it would bounce around just as much in the back of the truck as it would sitting on the bow when I travel. It’s $90, and don’t want to spend it if I never need to take it off regularly. But, if it’s worth it, what’s another $90!?

I have a quick release and have a small padlock on it. Haven’t had a problem in three years and mine sits in my driveway from March until November. It’s VERY nice to have if you need to take it off to do repairs or bring it in for repairs.
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Also if it ever has to be replaced, makes it a lot easier…
I had a powerdrive and went to a Ulterra, no holes to drill.
Just took off powerdrive and bolted on the Ulterra to the side out mounting plate…

JMat wrote:

Do you take it off a lot?

No it doesn’t come off a lot, but when it needs to, you’ll be plenty glad you have it.

I have a quick release bracket on my Ulterra and before that on a Terrova. I honestly don’t remove my trolling motor very often but I have for various reasons over the years and I’d never mount a bow mounted trolling motor without a quick release bracket.

JMat, I think you can spend the 10 minutes removing the mounting nuts to remove the motor the once in a blue moon that you have too and save the $90.

Karry Kyllo wrote:

I’d never mount a bow mounted trolling motor without a quick release bracket.

X2.

Thieves can’t steal it if you take it off and bring it inside.

Also, if you fish sub freezing weather, nice to take it off and bring it in to thaw out. Sometimes they just freeze up solid on the water and you need to take it off and lay it on the floor just to get back to the ramp.

-J.

New boat, just get it….

I had one h_ll of a time putting nuts on the mounting plate bolts under the bow…..

All great info.

The feedback from the dealer was that in the event it gets stuck down for some reason, it’s better to have the quick release to pull it off and get back to the ramp.

Seems like it’s worth it.

Thanks again. This forum has made buying a new boat much easier!

Karry Kyllo wrote:

I have a quick release bracket on my Ulterra and before that on a Terrova. I honestly don’t remove my trolling motor very often but I have for various reasons over the years and I’d never mount a bow mounted trolling motor without a quick release bracket.

x3 , you won’t regret it

If I travel a long distance I take it off, I don’t want the xtra stress put on it going down the road. Its probably not much but it’s for a piece of mind. Also if I’m on the road and staying in a hotel and not sure about the area I take it off and store it either in the vehicle or room. I really don’t have any cons other than it takes a small lock to secure it

That supports getting it.

Thanks.

Jon Jordan wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Karry Kyllo wrote:</div>
I’d never mount a bow mounted trolling motor without a quick release bracket.

X2.

Thieves can’t steal it if you take it off and bring it inside.

Also, if you fish sub freezing weather, nice to take it off and bring it in to thaw out. Sometimes they just freeze up solid on the water and you need to take it off and lay it on the floor just to get back to the ramp.

-J.

I’ve had mine freeze up in sub freezing temps (Nov) and had to take in to unthaw. Would not mount a TM without a quick release.

Another benefit of having the bracket is servicing.

On my current boat the owner bolted the Terrova down directly.

I have a bad bushing that needs replacing and I’m not looking forward to taking it off the boat to bring it in lol

Mine all get release mounts. Since my boat get a lot of use in the winter its nice not leaving the trolling motor on and getting a ton of road salt and crap in it.