Minn Kota TM MKA 21 Bow Mount Trolling Motor Installation

This is a Minn Kota TM MKA 21 Bow Mount Trolling Motor Installation Tutorial. I was not very satisfied with the amount of customization needed for this project. I have installed many other bow mount trolling motors that were bolt on ready. I did contact customer service and they were responsive but I do not like this design.

[@curtisjohansson9574]

A tutorial video under 5 minutes, AMAZING.

[@Aksmaniyak]

LOL...I try to keep all my videos under 10 mins. They may be boring but they are concise.

[@chrisburton9659]

Your supposed to put spacers between the Puck and the boat. Once that is done it will fit perfectly guaranteed!

[@brianpeter7139]

I don't think the MKA-21 bracket is the best choice for cut-pile carpeted bow platforms like on the Lund. Because it's a composite bracket, when you tighten down the installation bolts, The carpet compresses a lot right at the bolt locations, but not in the middle of the base. So it introduces a fair bit of flex in the composite part, which leads to the problem you had with hole alignment for the locking bracket. The MKA-16-03 aluminum sliding quick release is about 1/2 the price and IMO a much better choice for this kind of installation as it won't flex and distort like the composite one did. It's also the one that Lund installs from the factory when you order a boat prerigged with any Minn Kota trolling motor. Cheers on making it work though!

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Brian. The real problem is that I have installed 2 other composite brackets on my Lund (different brand motors) and I never had this issue.

[@helicopterjohns]

Hi Aksel, Sorry to here your mount didn't perform as it should. I did a similar installation on my 80 lb. Thrust Minn Kota Riptide Saltwater 24 volt 60" Shaft.model. It used the same mount bracket. MIne fit perfectly and the U Shaped locking bracket slides in very easy. My installation was on a flat fiberglass deck with no carpet. One thing you might want to look at is the small internal part of the bracket with the 4 bolts may????? need to be shimmed up slightly with some washers to allow the U Shaped bracket to slide in the horizontal holes. You may??????? have drawn the internal part of the mounting bracket down into the carpet holding the outer part of the bracket to high causing misalignment. I would definitely call Minn Kota and tell them what is going on. They will probably send you a replacement part. I love being able to remove the trolling motor and stow it in my van during transport to the boat launch and on the return trip home. Hope you get this sorted out as the removable mount accessory is really nice when it works. Hope all is well with you and your family. John

[@maxbienvenue653]

You put the locking pin in backwards my man

[@stephanierobidoux3760]

Yep... like max says, locking pin backward. Also add a few more spacers when installing on thick carpet. Mine was installed and works as advertised

[@maxbienvenue653]

@@stephanierobidoux3760 nice to see another intelligent person

[@kevineide9319]

Yep!

[@meethed]

I just installed this on my Lowe, and had the same problem... I believe that it's the carpet that's making the rod so hard to put in. I haven't tinkered with mine yet, but looking for some solutions before drilling out the holes bigger.

[@Aksmaniyak]

Let me know how it goes.

[@grantengland9998]

Did you get it sorted out I want to put one on my Lowe fish and ski

[@6295danny]

Just just some spacers/washers under the mounting holes and it will line up.

[@grantengland9998]

@@6295danny Thank you I decide to go with the slide in one ! Worked great

[@vincentdevenecia-calderon1579]

So which is better I'm about to buy one mka 21 or mka 16-03 model ?

[@Aksmaniyak]

I like the MKA 21 with the puck better.

[@underdogoutdoors]

Wow, if you had a challenge with the install It must not be very user friendly. A less handy person (me) may have thrown in the towel.

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks. It was not user friendly but I had to make it work.