Product review (3 stars): It's a great motor when it working
Purchased this motor in Nov. 2016. Didn't get a chance to use it until April 2017. I am fishing for Kokanee from a closed bow boat, so the auto-deploy and GPS guide system is heaven to my style of fishing. That is, until the 3rd trip on the water. The motor would NOT retrace and the adventure began. Hanging onto the bow of the boat, trying to disassemble the motor, so I could get the boat out of the water and unto the trailer. Not fun while fishing by yourself. Got home and called Minn Kota, who told me to take it to a Authorized Service Center.  Three weeks later I got the motor back. Installed it on the boat while in the driveway, and heard the most awful sound. Like gears are grinding. Took it off the boat, and right back to the Authorized Service Center. Two weeks later I got it back.  At lease the Authorized Service Center is get faster at repairs.
Motor performed very well for the next 3 fishing trips. But then it happened. Motor went to deploy, but didn't tip up after leaving  6" away from the nest.
There it was, straight out from my deck, like a diving board.  Lucky my big strong son was fishing with me this time, and between the 2 of us, we were able to wrestle the motor out of the deck mount, and into the boat. Called Minn Kota, and they had no ideas of what was going on, so back to the Authorized Service Center.  We will see how long before I get it back this time, and will they actually fix the problem the 1st time.
Have used this motor for 5 months, (approx. 7 fishing days )  and it has been in the shop being fixed for almost 2 of those months. Minn Kota has been good to work with, but still not impressed with the Authorized Service Center. They just won't keep me in the loop of the problem. Is there something I should be aware of, or doing differently.
Despite all the problems, so far.  When the motor is working properly, fishing is so relaxing. It is like having a extra person onboard, who is only responsible to run the boat while everyone else fishing.