Minn Kota are celebrating 80 years of product innovation and what better example to show how far the product has advanced than a 1965 Minn Kota CDR Electric Motor restored by BLA's Shaun Clancy.  According to Shaun, some 5 years ago he located and imported this Minn Kota CDR Transom Mount electric Trolling motor from the USA. To his surprise it still was in working order when he received it. It has 3 forward speeds and 1 reverse.

Is this the first time you've done this?  

I love old boats etc and the little Pondgrass car topper I have is in original condition but I just want to re varnish the timber and restore the trailer. The 9.5hp Evinrude on the back is immaculate and runs great.

I also have an old 1971 Fiat 124 BC coupe that I have restored back to original and I should have that on the road by the end of the month.

We think Shaun has done a great job and we are wondering if any of our readers have one that is older? If so send us some pictures and your story so you can be also suitably acknowledged.

Minn Kota electric Trolling motors began life in 1934 in Fargo, North Dakota. Mr. O. G. Schmidt, inventor of the Trolling motor, was known to be a man of many diverse ideas. Prior to the Trolling motor, Mr. Schmidt invented, produced and sold a copper soldering torch from his home in Wheatland, North Dakota. Due to its success, manufacturing operations were then moved to Fargo. Because of its proximity to the MINNesota – North DaKOTA border, Mr. Schmidt named the business The Minn Kota Manufacturing Company.

Since its founding, Minn Kota has led the way in product innovation and cutting-edge technology. The following list of Minn Kota “firsts” supports this commitment to Trolling motor development and the fishing community.

• 1934: First electric Gear driven motor
• 1935: First electric flexible cable motor
• 1965: First electric motor with reverse switch
• 1968: First Remote Control adaptable to other brand motors
• 1985: First electronic speed control, sold as an accessory (Maximizer)
• 1987: First electric steer in commercial quantities
• 1987: First low profile Foot pedal in cable steer
• 1987: First compact Bow mount, built in electronic speed control with first automatic electric battery gauge
• 1991: First computer controlled motor, first self steering motor (AutoPilot)
• 1992: First completely weedless Propeller (weedless wedge)
• 1995: First all direction breakaway mounting system
• 2001: First Trolling motor with built in transducer
• 2002: First wireless remote
• 2004: First 3x steering system
• 2005: First gas charge spring assisted Stow and deploy
• 2007: First mono arm Bow mount motor
• 2009: First one hand Stow Transom mount
• 2010: First wireless GPS Trolling system. (I Pilot)
• 2011: First Electro-Mechanical shallow water anchor

For more information about Minn Kota Electric Trolling motors, contact CH Smith Marine in store or online