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Properly Securing Your Motor to Prevent Accidental Deployment

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Using Depth Collars, Stow Lock Collars, and Straps

All motor except for Automatic Stow & Deploy models and certain unique transom-mount motors (such as Vantage and E-Drive) are equipped with a depth collar. Some longer shaft motors also include both a depth collar and a stow lock collar. Also, some motor include hold down straps to secure the motor. 

Non-Stow Lock Motors

For motors that do not have a stow lock collar, the depth collar serves two purposes:

  • Adjusting the depth of the motor in the water

  • Securing the motor when stowed

Stow Lock Motors

For motors that have a stow lock collar:

  • The Depth Collar is used to adjust the depth of the motor in the water
  • The Stow Lock Collar is used to secure the motor in the stow position while traveling across the water or when trailering. 

Straps

  • Motors that are provided with a Hold Down Strap should be used when ever the motor is in the stow position to precent accidental deployment when traveling across the water or when trailering. 

NOTE: If the depth collar or stow lock collar (72" and longer) is not properly secured as indicated by each motor type below, the motor may accidentally deploy.

Accidental Deployment

  • Damage to the trolling motor or boat caused by accidental deployment is not covered under the motor’s warranty. You may consult an Authorized Service Center for repair options and associated costs. Alternatively, such damage may be eligible for submission as a claim through your insurance provider.

Securing Motors Using Depth Collar, Stow Lock Collar, or Strap

Depth Collar Warning Example on Terrova

Terrova QUEST and Riptide Terrova QUEST

45" or 60 " Securing Motor with Depth Collar

The Depth Collar functions to hold the motor at the proper depth while deployed. On motors with a shaft length of 45" or 60", the Depth Collar also holds the motor in place when stowed.

Steps to Secure In Stowed Position

  1. Open the Cam Lever Depth Collar to release the Depth Collar and allow it to slide up and down the motor Shaft and depress the Stow Deploy Lever.
  2. Raise the motor by pulling up on the Shaft or Control Head.
  3. Pull the motor toward the stern until it rests securely on the Ramps. 
  4. Slide the Depth Collar down and secure it against the top of the steering housing to secure the motor in place and prevent accidental deployment.
  5. Close the Depth Collar Lever to secure the motor. 

72" of Longer Securing Motor with Stow Lock Collar

On motors with a shaft length of 72", a Stow Lock Collar sits above the Steering Housing and functions to hold the motor in place when stowed. The Stow Lock Collar is stationary and can be locked to secure the Shaft or unlocked to allow the Shaft to slide freely when stowing or deploying.

Steps to Secure with Stow Lock Collar

  1. Open Stow Lock Collar to allow it to slide up and down the motor Shaft and depress the Stow Deploy Lever.
  2. Raise the motor by pulling up on the Shaft or Control Head.
  3. Pull the motor toward the stern until it rests securely on the Ramps. 
  4. Slide the Depth Collar down and secure it against the top of the steering housing to secure the motor in place and prevent accidental deployment.
  5. Close the Stow Lock Collar to secure the motor. 
    • Locked- When the Locked icon is visible, the Stow Lock Collar is locked and the Shaft is secure.
    • Unlocked- When the Unlocked icon is visible, the Stow Lock Collar is unlocked and will not hold the Shaft in place.

 

Terrova with No Lift Assist (2007-2016) and (2023-present)
Terrova

Notice-slide_the_depth_collar.png

Steps to Secure In Stowed Position

  1. Loosen the Depth Collar by turning to the left to allow it to slide up and down the motor Shaft and depress the Stow Deploy Lever.
  2. Raise the motor by pulling up on the Shaft or Control Head.
  3. Pull the motor toward the stern until it rests securely on the Ramps. 
  4. Slide the Depth Collar down and secure it against the top of the steering housing to secure the motor in place and prevent accidental deployment.
  5. Tighten the Depth Collar by turning to the right to secure the motor. 

 

Terrova with Lift Assist (2017-2022)
Terrova_Stow_for_transport.png

Warning-when_the_motor_is_being_transported.png

Steps to Secure In Stowed Position

  1. Loosen the Depth Collar by turning to the left to allow it to slide up and down the motor Shaft and depress the Stow Deploy Lever.
  2. Raise the motor by pulling up on the Shaft or Control Head.
  3. Pull the motor toward the stern until it rests securely on the Ramps. 
  4. Slide the Depth Collar down and secure it against the top of the Lift Assist Housing to secure the motor in place and prevent accidental deployment.
  5. Tighten the Depth Collar by turning to the right to secure the motor. 

PowerDrive (2007-present)

PowerDrive Depth Collar Label.png

Steps to Secure In Stowed Position

  1. Loosen the Depth Collar by turning to the left to allow it to slide up and down the motor Shaft and depress the Stow Deploy Lever.
  2. Raise the motor by pulling up on the Shaft or Control Head.
  3. Pull the motor toward the stern until it rests securely on the Ramps. 
  4. Slide the Depth Collar down and secure it against the top of the steering housing to secure the motor in place and prevent accidental deployment.
  5. Tighten the Depth Collar by turning to the right to secure the motor. 

Ultrex QUEST (2023-Present) and Ultrex 2017-Present

Steps to Secure In Stowed Position

  1. Pull back and lift the motor out of the water with the Pull Grip and Cable.
  2. Guided by the Pull Grip and Cable, the lower unit will drop down onto the Motor Rest.
  3. The motor will lock into the stowed position.
  4. Once the motor is stowed, make sure it is seated and locked into position.
  5. Wrap the Hold-Down Strap over top of the motor shaft to secure the motor.
    • When stowing the motor, it automatically disables the operational function of the foot pedal or paired remote. "Motor stowed" will be displayed on the screen of any applicable remote.
  6. Secure the Quick Release Depth Collar against the top steering housing. 

Fortrex or Riptide SF (2008-Present) Maxxum or Riptide SM (1998-Present) 

Steps to Secure In Stowed Position

  1. Pull back and lift the motor out of the water with the Pull Grip and Rope.
  2. Lower the motor Lower Unit onto the Motor Ramp using the Pull Grip and Rope.
  3. The motor will lock into the stowed position automatically.
  4. Secure the Quick Release Depth Collar against the top of the Bowguard.
  5. Wrap the Hold-Down Strap over top of the Motor Shaft to secure the motor.

Edge(2006-Present) Riptide Edge (2006-2022)

Steps to Secure In Stowed Position

  1. Pull back and lift the motor out of the water with the Pull Grip and Rope.
  2. Lower the motor Lower Unit onto the Motor Rest using the Pull Grip and Rope.
  3. The motor will lock into the stowed position automatically.
  4. Wrap the Hold Down Strap over top of the Motor Shaft to secure the motor.

Tightening Depth Collar

  • Over time, depth collars may become loose due to regular use and vibrations caused by trailering or transporting across the water. The steps below will guide you through tightening the various types of depth collars.

Cam Lever Style Depth Collar Bow-Mount

Models Included:

  • Riptide Terrova QUEST 2023-Present
  • Terrova QUEST 2023-Present
  • Ultrex QUEST 2023-Prsent

Long Shaft Motors 72"-100"

  • Motors with a long shaft contain a Stow Lock Collar, Coil Cord Slider and Depth Collar.

Short Shaft Motors 

  • Motors with a short shaft only have a Depth Collar.

Terrova QUEST, Terrova, Riptide Terrova QUEST, and Riptide Terrova 2023-Present

Ultrex Diagram 2023-Present

Tightening the Depth Collar

  1. Tighten the Depth Collar tightness with a #3 Phillips Screwdriver.
  2. The screw opposite the cam lever.
    • NOTE: Leave the Cam Lever closed while tightening the screw. Tightening the screw with the lever open can damage the cam lever/collar.
    • NOTE: The Depth Collar should be secured against the Steering Housing on 45"-60" and secured against the Stow Lock Collar on 72"-100" Shafts when transporting the motor. This prevents accidental deployment.

Tightening the Stow Lock Collar

  1. Tighten the Stow Lock Collar tightness with a #10 Phillips Screwdriver.
    • Note: The Stow Lock Collar should be in the Locked position anytime the motor is being transported on water or trailered to prevent accidental deployment.

 

Twist Knob Style Depth Collar Bow-Mount Non-Lift Assist 

Models Included:

  • Fortrex 2008-Present
  • Maxxum 2005-Present
  • PowerDrive 2023-Present
  • PowerDrive BT 2017-2023
  • PowerDrive Drive V2 2007-2016
  • PowerDrive 2001-2006
  • Riptide PowerDrive 2023-Present
  • Riptide PowerDrive BT 2017-2023
  • Riptide SP 2007-2016
  • Riptide Terrova 2023-Present
  • Riptide Terrova BT 2017-2023
  • Riptide ST 2007-2016
  • Terrova 2023-Present
  • Terrova BT 2017-2023
  • Terrova Non-Bluetooth 2007-2023
  • Ultrex Brushed 2017-2023


Notice-slide_the_depth_collar.png

  • Tightening The Depth Collar Knob
  1. The Depth Collar Knob is tightened by turning the knob clockwise and loosen by turning the knob counter clockwise.
    • Note: The Depth Collar should be secured against the Steering Housing when transporting the motor to prevent accidental deployment.

Twist Knob Style Terrova /Riptide Terrova with Lift Assist

Models Included:

  • Riptide Terrova BT 2017-2016
  • Terrova BT 2017-2016



Tightening the Depth Collar Knob

  1. The Depth Collar Knob is tightened by turning the knob clockwise and loosen by turning the knob counter clockwise. 

    • The Depth Collar should be secured against the Lift Assist on when transporting the motor to prevent accidental deployment.

       

Cam Lever Style Depth Collar Transom-Mount 

Models Included:

  • Riptide  Fortrex 2008-Present
  • Riptide Maxxum 2002-Present
  • Riptide Transom 112 LB Thrust 2014-Present
  • Riptide Transom 80 LB Thrust 2014-Present


Tightening the Depth Collar

  1. Tighten the Depth Collar tightness with a #3 Phillips Screwdriver.
  2. The screw opposite the cam lever.
    • NOTE: Leave the Cam Lever closed while tightening the screw. Tightening the screw with the lever open can damage the cam lever/collar.
    • NOTE: The Depth Collar and steering tension should be secured against the bracket when transporting the motor to prevent accidental deployment.

Twist Knob Style Depth Collar Transom-Mount 

Models Included:

  • Endura
  • Endura Max
  • Endura C2
  • Riptide Transom 55LB Thrust or Less


Tightening the Depth Collar Knob

  1. The Depth Collar Knob is tightened by turning the knob clockwise and loosen by turning the knob counter clockwise.
    • NOTE: The Depth Collar and steering tension should be secured against the bracket when transporting the motor to prevent accidental deployment.

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