My Old Town AutoPilot Motor Broke!!! - Warranty Review!

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[@Endeavorfishing]

crap now iam worried am about couple days away from purchasing a used one, now i know what to look for thanks

[@robscorner4741]

Knowing the issues with the motor would you recommend a hobie pa as a better option?

[@BlueSummitOutdoors]

No I prefer the AP120 over a Hobie PA, it seems the 360 drives have just as many if not more issues wit that drive. That being said the AP120 has had some revisions and drive upgrades since 2020 and I'm not seeing anywhere near as many drive issues as I used to.

[@caleb4015]

Hobie PAs aren't having nearly as many issues since 2022 onward. They got most of the kinks out of the 360s. Some people will hate on Hobie no matter what. I think it is funny how many people talk crap about Hobie's prices, but this boat with a 100 ah lithium battery will cost you well over $5,000.

[@BlueSummitOutdoors]

@caleb4015 hobie was sold to a bigger company during Covid they have had a lot of quality control issues as well as shortening their warranty. I think people’s issue with them is that the quality has gone down, price has continued to go up every year, and the warranty isn’t as good as it used to be. I used to be a Hobie guy, but recently I got out of kayaking all together due to the cost. I rather spend 14k on a used 17ft aluminum bass boat than 6k+ on a kayak.

[@caleb4015]

@@BlueSummitOutdoors I totally understand you brother. You should check out the video from Kristine Fischer on Hobie. I actually have been on the prowl for a new kayak for months and after talking to 2 separate dealers, neither of them have many warranty claims on their Hobies; Especially since 2021. I think people like to really hate on Hobie because they are expensive. Also, every kayak brand has increased their prices by several hundred dollars, not just Hobie. Good example is the Old Town 106 MK. Used to be $2999 2 years ago, now its $3499 with 0 changes. Personally I have never understood the point of getting a kayak when you plan to have a motor on it. At that point it makes much more sense to get a boat.

[@BlueSummitOutdoors]

@caleb4015 yea everyone’s prices have gone up, however Hobies prices always went up before everyone else’s did. They would sell the same boat with no changes for a couple hundred dollars more just because it was the new years model. In 2017 I bought a Hobie PA 12 for $2999 brand new. That same boat (non 360) is now $4600 with very minimal changes over 8 years. I can forgive 2020-now due to inflation. But they were doing it well before then. As far as old town it’s mainly due to inflation but they also offer a lifetime hull warranty which is amazing. I’ve owned probably close to 15 hobies over the past 8 years, and the newer ones are not built with the same quality as they used to be. For example the hatch liner in the PAs is built completely different than it used to be and is so much flimsier and cheaper feeling. The back rudder cap on the PAs used to be 4 brass inserts now there’s only 2. They have cut a lot of corners. Plus on a kayak that cost $4.5K-6K you still have to buy a $100 adapter plate to attach a power pole. That’s absurd. Especially when basically every other kayak has that functionality built right in for years now. Even their own Outback and Lynx have it built in.

[@bassfishingtactical3450]

Is there anyway to repair this in the case your warranty has expired?

[@BlueSummitOutdoors]

I believe they offer replacements, however I’m not sure if you can buy parts to repair your drive. It’s possible that if you contact Old Town/Minn Kota (Johnson Outdoors) they may be able to help you find the parts you need or offer a repair service.

[@paoslee]

im having the issue as you but my warranty is over. I dont feel like spending 2k on a replacement.

[@Endeavorfishing]

@@paoslee there are some authorized repair shops in Charleston sc id check around there are good shops might be able to help you

[@medeiros3610]

I really wish they would offer a peddle drive system to purchase as a back up system post motor warranty

[@Sanctified_Leather]

Ive seen multiple people/Channels discuss that plastic collar having issues. Mark/MDLR And Navarro kayak discussed the same thing. Hopefully you'll do better with this one, but maybe there going to need some up with a better design / Part. But great on Old Town for having an Amazing Warranty Department. Great Job Old town. And Thank You for the update on the Process and Warranty Fix with Old Town. 😎👍

[@BlueSummitOutdoors]

Yea the whole customer service process was painless! Hopefully a 2nd generation addresses some issues.

[@annonymousannonymous115]

Good to know I just got mine and haven't had a chance to take it out yet am looking forward to it. Can not wait. Will keep an eye out on that part see how long it lasts for. Love the videos!!!!

[@BlueSummitOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@Noreasta508]

I’ve only been out 5 times and just had a similar issue with turning and spot lock. Although the collar isn’t chewed up like yours. I wish that had a larger alternative to the 106 I would have went that route instead.

[@BlueSummitOutdoors]

If your collar isn’t chewed up then the collar probably just wasn’t seated all the way down. You might have to pull it a little harder to get it to seat correctly. But I’m yea I wish there was a 120 powered by Minn Kota as well.

[@Ashley-pd7ms]

I been through 3 and now they say it’s not a design issue. Will just spin. It’s the plastic ring. It grinds down.

[@stevehogan8829]

Yep,, the spotlock makes up for a lot of other sins..."HEAVY" and of course the ever present "HEAVY" ha. So they replaced he motor. That's very cool. I think Mark MDLR had an issue also but I should check first before saying that. Love the Navarre floating nut. Great idea. Man, I'd love to figure what that clunk is when it won't turn and then the clunk and then it works. I see it, I hear it, but I really don't see it. I've not had any big issues but OldTown and MinnKota have both been excellent to talk to. Ah, I'm subbed now.

[@timconnors3211]

i wish i knew now what I didn'tknow then... It took 3 years and 75 days on the water but I now know what the "clunk' noise comes from. The steering ball assembly with the upper collar half, is tichtly clamped around the shaft with 2 bolt/nuts, which bring the 2 halves together, and hold the upper collar half tight against the shaft. The orientation of the upper collar half needs to complement the lower collar half (the two orange arrows need to be aligned when the ball assembly upper collar is assembled and tightened) which is fixed into the lower white motor unit, which has the gears that turn the shaft. When you draw the motor down into position with the paracord pully, the two collar halves need to fit together "clunk" perfectly. The upper collar half needs to be drawn down all ther way to completely complement/marry to the lower collar half. The paracord needs to be completely tight in the cleat so the two collar halves are perfectly fitted together to form a flush connected collar. The spot lock shaft movement torgues on this connection constantly, so if the ball assembly is even slighly loose, or sitting 1/16 of an inch too proud, it will eventually become malalligned and cause the steering to fail and hence need to be manually rotated until it "clunks" into alignment. The plastic collar halves will become worn and their perfect complementary connection becomes less and less reliable. Replacing the entire steering ball assembly then becomes necessary. This is not difficult but necessary. The plastic design of the two collar halves makes the assembly salt water resistant but prone to wearing down with prolonged use of spot lock. The steering ball assembly is $30 bucks mailed to you from Old Town. I still love this kayak.

[@ronaldhedberg8881]

I have the same issue. I only had my AP 120 out five times and the collar snapped. They are sending me a replacement part. I am not certified to do repairs. They responded quick. But not happy with the out come.

[@BlueSummitOutdoors]

They since me a whole new motor. Did they just send you a part?

[@ronaldhedberg8881]

@@BlueSummitOutdoors yes they sent me the part. They said it was a force break. I only had it out five times and was extra careful. When I get it fixed I will put it on the market.

[@BlueSummitOutdoors]

Yea that’s basically the reason why I decided to move on. It’s a great kayak, but little problems like this are a deal breaker for me.

[@ronaldhedberg8881]

Well they sent me the wrong part. Now they are not responding back to me. I am not to happy about their service. I am going to put it up for sale and take a lost and buy a bass boat.

[@BlueSummitOutdoors]

Yea the motors longevity was my only concern with the boat everything else i was happy with. I don’t blame you for posting it up for sale.

[@michaeljenkins5557]

I keep a light lubricant on mine.

[@bucmcmaster]

Seems that would make the collar more likely to climb over the mating piece.

[@ericreynolds7839]

Hey man quick question. I just got the autopilot 136 and I was wondering if you ever have a problem where the motor head has vibration or is a bit shakey when you get over the speed of 5? I wasn’t sure if it was normal or not. Thanks

[@BlueSummitOutdoors]

Yea once or twice for me it just wasn’t not seated correctly and wasn’t all the way pull down.

[@kathyg4906]

My AP120 has a hard time seating the collar and spins one way frequently when it is trying to seat. I’ve been out maybe 7 times. Did you have issues with that early on?

[@BlueSummitOutdoors]

I didn’t have any issues until around the 1 year mark.

[@blaircox1589]

After less than 12 trips, the motor for my AP 136 has started failing. Looks like they have some serious internal defects.

[@BlueSummitOutdoors]

Yea unfortunately when it works it’s a great kayak

[@blaircox1589]

@@BlueSummitOutdoors Old Town is sending me a new motor. The confirmation email says "Qty Backorder: 1 Each", so if that's what I think it means, I'll get it by November. Maybe. Guess I'll have to rig it for paddling mode and not go far.

[@BlueSummitOutdoors]

Yea they really need to up the quality of materials on the motor instead of continuing to ship something they know that fails.

[@blaircox1589]

@@BlueSummitOutdoors I have a 2020 model, so hoping whenever I get this motor, it's actually a new version. And not just new old stock. So I expect it to have the new magnetic switch mounted to the side that I'm to ignore. These things might end up being pricey lemons.

[@blaircox1589]

@@BlueSummitOutdoors Uhm, why is the new motor they sent you so dirty??? And are these really new, or refurbished returns??