You suddenly notice a crack or break in the head of your Minn Kota Edge, and your heart sinks a little, doesn’t it? That’s exactly what happened to me a while back, and—well, let’s just say I know the feeling. Your trolling motor is like a trusty fishing buddy, always there when you need it, so when something breaks, it’s frustrating. If you’re wondering how to fix a broken head on a Minn Kota Edge, I’ve got you covered. I’ll walk you through what I did to fix the issue (spoiler: it’s fixable), and hopefully, we’ll get you back on the water in no time.
So, What Happened to the Head?
First of all, when you say the “head” of your Minn Kota Edge is broken, I’m guessing you mean the top housing where the directional indicator and wiring are located. This is a pretty common issue since that area can take a beating if you’re not super careful (and hey, who is careful 100% of the time?). Mine cracked because I didn’t think twice about cranking it onto the trailer without properly stowing it—and BOOM—a nasty scrape against the side of the boat. Your situation might be different, but whether it’s a small crack, the housing is completely split, or even if something inside seems off, the good news is it’s not a lost cause.
Tools and Supplies You’ll Need
Before diving in, grab yourself a few basic tools and supplies. You probably already have most of these in your garage or tackle box.
- A Phillips head and flathead screwdriver
- A socket wrench (super handy—trust me)
- Marine epoxy or plastic adhesive (depending on how bad the break is)
- Replacement parts (you may need to order a new head cover if the damage is beyond repair)
- A razor blade or box cutter (for any cleanup work)
- Electrical tape or zip ties (always useful)
- Patience—seriously, you’ll need some of this!
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Fix a Broken Head on a Minn Kota Edge
1. Assess the Damage
First things first—how bad is it? For small, surface-level cracks, it’s probably something you can patch up with epoxy or a robust adhesive. But if the head is shattered or if the internals (like the wiring or steering cable) are exposed, you may need to replace the top housing entirely. Don’t panic—Minn Kota sells compatible replacement parts, and they’re not outrageously expensive.
Take note of anything else that might’ve been affected. Ever heard the saying, “What breaks together, stays together”? Me neither, but you get my point—check for loose wiring or damage that might’ve gone unnoticed.
2. Disconnect the Power
This might seem like a “duh” step, but I’ve made the mistake of working on electrical components without disconnecting the battery, so… don’t do that. Unplug your trolling motor from its power source to avoid any accidental zaps or shorts.
3. Remove the Broken Head
To access the head internals, you’ll need to remove the broken or cracked housing. There are probably a few screws holding it in place—on mine, it was four screws that came out with a Phillips head screwdriver. Keep those screws in a safe spot because nothing’s worse than losing a tiny screw in the grass or water.
Once the screws are out, gently pull the top cover off. Be extra careful here, especially with the wiring inside. The first time I did this, I yanked too hard and ended up having to redo a couple of connections. Lesson learned: take your time.
