Using the Force® Trolling Motor In Salt Water Environments

With proper care and maintenance with each use, the 50" or the 57" Force® Trolling Motor can be used in harsher environments along the coast.

The best solution for saltwater is the Force® Kraken Trolling Motor, available in 63", 75" & 90" models. 

Routine Maintenance

After each use in salt water or brackish water, rinse off the entire motor with fresh water, and apply a light spray of non-stick, dry-film, water-based silicone; where possible wipe down with a soft cloth. Avoid spraying jets of water at the cap on the top of the shaft when rinsing the motor.

• Examine the power cable for wear and patch or repair as necessary

  • With power cut-off gently rinse and dry intersecting connections, inspect connections points for signs of damage to the cable, clean any accumulation of corrosion on connection points applying a light coat of silicone spray (referenced above) 

    • Extension cable

    • Circuit breaker 

    • Battery terminal

    • Externally exposed connections on the quick release connector plug (not to be applied inside the socket) 

  • If any portion of the insulated power cable or an extension has been damaged, apply heat shrink with a heat gun to prevent water intrusion and corrosion of the power cable

  • On the 50" and 57" the cable is actually made up of two cables with various points to inspect and maintain:

    • The power cable is removable and replaceable at the junction box

      • Check the power terminals and clean them if necessary

    • There is a seal kit that protects the pinned connector of the junction box should it ever need to be removed or require inspection

    • The junction box is part of and non-removable from the servo coil cable wire harness that runs up to the shaft cap

    • If the junction box requires replacement, the servo harness coil cable must be replaced as well as it is a single assembly

  • The 63", 75" & 90" Force Kraken Trolling motor power cable, the junction box, and the servo coil cable wire is a one-piece assembly that disconnects at the shaft cap on one end with bare wire for positive and negative at the other end

• Lubricate the hinges and bushings with the silicone spray

• Clean and lubricate the stow and deploy latch mechanism

• Check the mount rails and replace them if necessary

• Check the mount bumper and replace if necessary (not applicable to the Garmin Force Kraken Trolling Motor)

• Once per season, clean or replace the anodes in the propeller drive motor

  • The anodes are a metal that is faster to corrode and also attracts the harmful electrons that would otherwise result in corrosion of the higher quality metal

NOTE: Use extreme care when following the procedures in this section. Some maintenance tasks require you to move the motor from the stowed to the deployed position multiple times, which presents a potential for hands or fingers to be crushed by the weight of the motor.
NOTE: To maintain warranty, a series of routine maintenance tasks must be performed while preparing the motor for the season. If the motor is used or transported in dry, dusty environments (traveling on gravel roads, for example), perform these tasks more often during the season.

For additional details about the above instructions see Manuals and see the Maintenance Manual as well as the Owners manual, & Installation Instructions.