Because of variables like wind, current, load, etc., we find that it’s best not to tag performance with speed. That said, under fairly mild conditions, we find any motorized Old Town Sportsman watercraft can maintain speeds of 3.5-4mph for up to 2 hours continually with a 100 amp-hour battery. Speeds and run times will vary based on conditions, capacity and battery health.

 That is by design. Slowing the transition between forward and reverse is to prevent motor damage from occurring.

Please call our customer service department at (800) 343-1555 to place orders for replacement parts.

We are always researching for the right colors for our watercrafts. At launch only the Photic and Ember colors are available for the Old Town Sportsman watercrafts.

Currently this would be a manual process of tracking on your chart. The Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot watercrafts feature i-Pilot, not i-Pilot Link.

The best integration for a trolling motor on our watercrafts is farther forward than where the PDL drive area is. Because of this, we have no plans to introduce such retrofit kits.

Yes! Install the free i-Pilot app to your Apple or Android smartphone, pair with your motor, and away you go!  BE SURE NOT TO USE THE RABBIT FUNCTION as this can engage the motor from 0 to 10 instantaneously. Please call our customer service department at (800) 343-1555 or visit our website https://www.oldtowncanoe.com/ to order a new one.

Yes! Call our customer service department at (800) 343-1555 or visit our website https://www.oldtowncanoe.com/ to order a new one.

Most will work. BE SURE NOT TO USE THE RABBIT FUNCTION as this can engage the motor from 0 to 10 instantaneously. If your remote does not pair with the AutoPilot motor, install the free i-Pilot app to your Apple or Android smartphone, pair with your motor, and away you go! Call our customer service department at (800) 343-1555 or visit our website https://www.oldtowncanoe.com/ to order a new remote if misplaced.

The use of an aftermarket propeller on your Minn Kota drive voids the warranty. Minn Kota motors are designed to balance performance, durability, and reliability. Though an aftermarket prop may increase your kayak’s speed, it may cause the motor to run hotter than designed with adverse effects. For that reason, the warranty on the Minn Kota motors found in the AutoPilot and 106 Powered by Minn Kota models, only covers the use of the standard MKP-2 prop and weedless MKP-6 props. To purchase replacement or spare props for your drive, call our customer service team at 888-343-1555.

We updated the product to feature a new nylon nut to improve the ease of prop removal without the need for tools. A stainless nut may still be used but the threads should be lubricated with anti-seize to reduce potential galling.

When storing your 106 Powered by Minn Kota, keep the throttle in the neutral position. The throttle spring will loosen if left in the forward or reverse position for prolonged periods of time, such as when storing for winter. 

The small indent/pitting on your kayak in this location is not a blemish – it is a mold mark. It is an intentional marker that serves as a reference point for installing an access hatch after purchase. 

Damaged connections leads to a poor connection and electrical arcing, which may cause melting on your plugs and sockets. To reduce the likelihood of a poor electrical connection:  

1. Handle connections with care, especially when installing or removing the battery box and motor. Rough handling of your connections can bend your connections, leading to poor connection
2. Review your plugs and sockets (motor and battery connections), ensuring they are free and clear of corrosion, debris or damage
3. Clean dirty plugs and sockets using dedicated electrical contact cleaner (other solvents or cleaners may damage components)
4. After cleaning plugs and sockets, reapply pea-sized dollop of dielectric grease into socket

If your plug or socket is damaged, both connections should be replaced. Call our customer service department to purchase replacement electrical components. 

Kayak carts are a great and convenient way to transport your kayak to and from the water’s edge. We strongly discourage the use of landing-gear carts that are drilled into your kayak or scupper-style carts. These carts place undue pressure on your kayak’s hull and may cause irreparable damage to your hull. Damage caused by accessories is not likely to be covered by warranty, as it is not a manufacturer’s defect. We recommend selecting a bunk-style cart, that provides maximum hull support. There are a few great options on the market by brands such as Malone, Wilderness Systems and Ketch.

Check connections, plug orientations, and kill switch engagement to ensure that the watercraft is properly connected with battery power. If using a Li-Ion battery, your battery meter will always display “full”.

Yes. We have thoroughly tested the Minn Kota motor with lead-acid and Li-Ion batteries. Both batteries are suitable to use with our motorized Old Town Sportsman watercraft. Your battery must be able to continuously discharge 50 amps to adequately power your Sportsman kayak. This information will be available from the battery manufacturer. 

Follow the manufacturer specs for your particular battery and charger. For Li-Ion batteries, be sure to use an approved Li-Ion charging device and follow manufacturer specs for your particular battery and charger. Prior to charging, remove your battery from the boat and charge following your battery manufacturer’s instructions on charging. Always remove the battery from your kayak when not in use. 

Our battery estimates are based on typical loads and usage with a new, fully charged 100 amp-hour, deep cycle battery.  If you have a larger weight load, rough conditions, or an older battery, your mileage may vary.

The battery box wire terminals are sized for a standard lead-acid group 27 battery: a 3/8” ring terminal for the positive and a 5/16” ring terminal for the negative. Batteries may vary and aftermarket modification may be necessary.

We recommend that you remove all batteries from your watercraft prior to charging. Follow your accessory battery manufacturer’s instructions on charging.

Ensure the drive is completely seated and the cord is fully pulled before locking down. Please note that the pull cord will travel multiple inches after motor is seated to properly connect the collars.  

With the AutoPilot motor position at the bow of the watercraft, the other end of your watercraft will swing downwind or down current from the “anchoring point”. This cannot be changed, however, we have included inserts at the stern of the watercraft for a shallow water anchor if desired.

Ensure that your motor is properly seated in the bottom of the bracket. Inspect the bracket-to-motor connection and surrounding components for any damage or debris.

There are three possible causes/solutions:

1. Cord falling back into cleat – Keep the cord clear of the cleat “teeth” throughout the stowing process. It is easy for it to fall into the “lock” position if attention is not paid to it.  
2. Alignment of motor head through the hull – Ensure that the motor is properly aligned with the orange arrows connecting before attempting to stow the motor. Improper alignment may prevent the motor from raising through the hull.
3. Sticky shaft –

• Being on the water helps the shaft stay lubricated – so the best solution for this is to get out on the water! 
• At initial purchase or after storage, if you find this “sticking” situation, apply a small amount of lubricant to the area highlighted (fig A). Any of the following are acceptable:
  • McLube SailKote High-Performance Dry Lubricant
  • Blaster Advanced Dry Lube with Teflon
  • WD-40 Specialist
  • Check your motor shaft and housing (fig A) and clear any dirt or debris. Dirt and debris may cause binding when stowing/deploying motor.

The steering collar on your AutoPilot Minn Kota Motor is designed to slip when it encounters resistance, such as debris or underwater structure. This prevents damage to the steering motor. However, the steering collar may loosen over time so you may experience a decline in steering performance under normal conditions. If this happens, tightening the collar is easy to do. With a Phillips head screw driver, tighten ¼ turn. Check steering. Continue the process of ¼ turns until steering is corrected. Be careful not to over-tighten the screws on the friction collar, as this can result in damage to the drive unit.

The new kill switch location allows the user to have a visible confirmation of connection. The previous location relied on an audible beep to confirm electrical connection but there was no confirmation of a mechanical connection (i.e. engaged steering collars). The new location confirms both mechanical and electrical connection.

Yes, we are always making small adjustments to our boats based on our field experience, manufacturing processes, and customer feedback. We’ve made a number of adjustments since launch.

Other changes include an adjustable lift arm Socket and splash plate that allows the user to adjust the motor console fit should the hull shape change due to storage other environmental reasons and docking pin covers with an anti-rotating tab to reduce the change the drive will undock while being stowed.

Since July 2021, all new AutoPilot kayaks are manufactured using the new kill switch location.

Yes, willing and handy existing AutoPilot owners will be able to update their kill switch location. This will require a kit which will become available in late 2021 for purchase. IMPORTANT: If moving the switch, please remove the switch from the prior location.

Dealers will have the option to purchase kits if they choose to offer kill switch location changes for customers. Dealers are not required to perform this service.

$24.99 plus shipping

Download the i-Pilot Remote manual here: Download PDF

Yes! Install the free i-Pilot app to your Apple or Android smartphone, pair with your motor, and away you go! BE SURE NOT TO USE THE RABBIT FUNCTION as this can engage the motor from 0 to 10 instantaneously. Please call our customer service department at (800) 343-1555 or visit our website https://www.oldtowncanoe.com/ to order a new one.

Yes. Like with other smartphone apps, developers occasionally update, improve and optimize app performance. We recommend checking for updates every couple of months to ensure that you’re running the latest version.