Review on 🚀 Minn Kota MKA-21 Composite Quick Release Bracket for Terrova and PD Motors – Enhanced SEO by Jay Williams

I installed MKA 16 on my daughter's MK Powerdrive V2 5 years ago. That's great. Only about $39, all-aluminum, and features a secure latch. Now that I recently had a new MK Ipilot 55 delivered, I ruled out using the MK 16 because I have a custom fitted trailer cover. So the MKA is composite rather than metal (no rattles) and is twice the price at around $68. There are many positive and negative reviews on sites like Revain. I wanted to point out in this thread that this device has two distinct disadvantages, but there are also workarounds that can adapt it to your needs. On the plus side, and why I can only use this style, is that the piece that attaches to the boat is just a 4" x 6" composite plastic washer and is very low profile. The MKA 16 style metal profile is probably 12x8 and has metal edges that can wear away from a tight cover (I think MK make a plastic cover to avoid this, or they should). Two cons: .But when it's carpeted, like my casting deck, then when you push the puck against the deck, the holes for the locking pins that go through both pieces no longer line up. So MK's solution is to take a certain size drill bit (which also needs to be long enough to go through the entire block on the side) and drill larger holes. Well, once the holes get bigger, there may be extra play or play from the torque of the trolls. while you use it. He moves jerkily and it looks like Elaine is dancing on this episode of Seinfeld. True, I didn't have the right size drill. I used what I had as it took me two hours to install just part of the washing machine. It only has 4 holes but I had to move the Sirius and Humminbird GPS antennas. In addition, the trolley must hang at least 1.5 inches from the lap rail so that it can be flipped without hitting the boat. . . At least one of my front bolt holes had to be drilled through a metal rail. So I had to take about 20 screws out of the deck and take it off to screw on the washer and use the large wing washers for extra deck support. I may need to re-pull the deck after making the 1/4" aluminum base plate to replace the fender washers and add better support due to the troll pull which will eventually weaken the deck. The project is installed. . . Since the washer is pushing through the carpet, the holes in the part that attaches to the bottom of the car will naturally be offset 8-4 inches because of the carpet. They then expect to drill both parts (7 inches) while everything is installed on the rig. Well, in the process I drilled into the back hole at a slight angle causing the drill bit to be too high and also came out the back of the washer which loosened the entire bracket. Damned. . . we as consumers of their products should not have to deal with drilling problems. Well I called MK and clearly said they should have included one or two black plastic backings even one 1/4 and the other 1/8. He said that was the case many years ago. I love how companies try to cut costs by the penny only to make the installation terrible for the end user. He sends me another puck for free. This time I'm going to go to Lowes or HD and get plastic sheeting for the rooms. I think they include some plastic fender washers but I don't know if they came with an Ipliot or MK mount. In any case, a sheet of plastic the size of a washer makes the device more resistant to play. Since he sent me a free washer, I asked if he could give me a discount on the price of another part because I drilled holes that were too big. I said I paid $68 so he split the difference and charged me $39 plus $10 shipping. MK is the division of Johnson that made my Lund, Humminbird and Ipilot and my experience with their products is that they are good quality but will save you to death for any accessory or replacement part. So $50 with shipping saved me at least $18. I should have gone and bought the right size 7" drill bit but I would probably mess up the angle anyway and it would be sloppy or extra play due to the large holes the mounting arm goes through. A plastic spacer under the washer is the best solution and does not require drilling the handle. But I have to pull the deck again maybe 2-3 more times to install a new washer depending on the first slipsheet lining up the holes. If not, I'll have to redraw the deck to add the 2nd sheet. I'll try to make an aluminum base plate before the new MKA 21 arrives so I don't have to pull the deck a third time to get to the front screw that goes through the rail.2. lock handle. What an awful design. It has two long pins that run through the front and back of the entire device. Take it. . . There is a hole in the center of the handle through which a large pin goes through which a padlock is hung. It's good that the middle part is made of PLASTIC. This means that all security blocks are disabled. Because all you have to do is hit it with a hammer and the $1200 troll will be gone in less than 30 seconds. Or they could take a big screwdriver and shatter that handle in seconds. I know if the thief wants it, he'll get it. That's why I have insurance. A battery powered saw would cut the lock handle like butter. Of course I don't lose sight of that. Especially like in the parking lot of the restaurant. I don't leave it on the rig in a rented garage, I take it home and store it in the hallway. But plastic. I can tie up at a restaurant and like I said, it can disappear in 30 seconds. while I went to the toilet. As said, both negative issues can be fixed to get a great quick release system. A full metal handle with a lock can be made at a metal workshop, which I will do. I'll post pics along with the above installation issues to save others time as I've already spent so much time on what I thought were 4 holes and I'm done hahaha. For example, can you imagine paying the dealer $95? go through it all. Most of the bad reviews are related to this device because the holes don't line up and it's not easy to pull out or slide out the locking button. MK knows about it but of course they don't care because it's been like this for 10 years!