MINN KOTA MKA-56 Electric Steer Bow Mount Trolling Motor User Guide

: June 15, 2024
: MINN KOTA

Table of Contents

MINN KOTA MKA-56 Electric Steer Bow Mount Trolling Motor
Product Information
Product Usage Instructions
TOOLS AND RESOURCES REQUIRED
MOUNTING CONSIDERATIONS
INSTALLATION
Installing the Handle Assembly
2994948).
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)
3 Phillips Screwdriver
4 Phillips Screwdriver

MINN KOTA MKA-56 Electric Steer Bow Mount Trolling Motor

Product Information

The MKA-56/RTA-55 Composite Quick Release Bracket is a mounting bracket designed for freshwater and saltwater electric-steer, bow-mount trolling motors. It is compatible with the QUEST series trolling motors, including the Riptide Instinct, Ulterra, Riptide Terrova, and Terrova. The bracket is made of high-yield composite material, making it super-strong and resistant to corrosion.

Product Usage Instructions

Ensure that the motor will not encounter any obstructions when positioning it on and off the composite bracket.
Check the appearance of the base extrusion for each trolling motor to determine compatibility.
Choose the appropriate placement of the bracket on the boat deck, considering motor clearance and base extrusion.
Install the Handle Assembly on either the Port or Starboard side, depending on clearances and personal preferences. Make sure that the Handle Assembly does not encounter any obstructions on the bow of the boat.
Pull the Handle Assembly entirely out to release the plates when mounted.

For a complete typical installation guide, refer to the Minn Kota website at minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com. Please note that the images in the manual are for representation purposes and may differ from your specific motor. Keep the box as it contains a template for installation on the inside.

Tools and Resources Required:

No specific tools are mentioned in the user manual. However, it is recommended to have basic hand tools and follow safe installation practices. Ensure that the installation area is free from hazards and obstacles.

Important Safety Notice:

You are responsible for the safe and prudent operation of this product. Use the product as directed and only for its intended purpose. Installation should be carried out in a hazard-free environment. This product does not relieve you from the responsibility of safe operation.

The MKA-56 and RTA-55 are compatible with freshwater and saltwater electric- steer, bow-mount, QUEST series trolling motors, including the Riptide Instinct, Ulterra, Riptide Terrova and Terrova.

Item / Assembly	Part #	Description	Qty.

A

Items 2-4

| 2771686| INNER PUCK BL COMP QRB BLK BLACK| 1
2771687| INNER PUCK BL COMP QRB WHT WHITE| 1

2

| 2371686| PLATE,PUCK BACKUP,BLK ANDZD BLACK| 1
2371687| PLATE, PUCK BACKUP, WHITE WHITE| 1

4

| 2371695| PLATE-INNER, COMP FW BLK BLACK| 1
2371696| PLATE-INNER, COMP SW WHT WHITE| 1

6

| 2371697| PLATE-OUTER, COMP FW BLK BLACK| 1
2371698| PLATE-OUTER, COMP SW WHT WHITE| 1
B

Items 8-12

| 2770916| HANDLE ASM BL COMP QRB| 1
8| 2370916| HANDLE, HALF ROUND, ANODIZE| 1
10| 2372641| PIN-SHEAR, HANDLE| 2
12| 2383417| SCREW-5/16-18X3/4″BHCS| 2
C

Items 14-28

| 2994946| BAG ASM,ELEC.STEER COMP QRB| 1
14| 2372634| PIN-PADLOCK, ALUM QRB| 1
16| 2383404| SCREW-1/4-20X7/8 PFH SS NYS| 1
18| 2260800| CLIP-HAIR SPRING,SS,MAX BG| 1
20| 2383485| SCREW-3/8-16 X 2 1/4 BHCS| 6
22| 2383490| SCREW-3/8-16 X 3″ PFHCS SS| 6
24| 2351734| WASHER-3/8″ FLAT SS| 6
26| 2383122| NUT 3/8-16 NYLON INST LOCKNUT| 12
28| 2378608| ANTI SEIZE TUBE, 4CC, TALON| 1
.A| 2374949| INSTRC. ELEC.STEER COMP QRB| 1

Not shown on Parts Diagram.

NOTICE: Images are a graphical representation and may vary from your motor. Save the box! A template for installation is printed on the inside of the box.

TOOLS AND RESOURCES REQUIRED

3 Phillips Screwdriver
4 Phillips Screwdriver
7/32″ Allen Wrench
Drill
13/32” Drill Bit
Scissors
9/16” Box End or Open End Wrench
Needle-nose Pliers(for Terrova and RT Terrova)
Awl or similar marking tool
A second person to help with the installation

WARNING

You are responsible for the safe and prudent operation of this product. Minn Kota has designed this accessory to be a reliable and convenient tool. Use only as directed and only for the designed intent of the product. Installation should occur in an area free from hazards and obstacles. This product does notrelieve you from the responsibility for safe operation.

Complete Typical Installation

MOUNTING CONSIDERATIONS

The MKA-56/RTA-55 composite brackets allow for bow-mount trolling motors to be quickly mounted or removed from the boat deck. The high-yield composite construction is super-strong and impervious to corrosion. When checking motor clearance for a mounting location, please give consideration to the following:

The MKA-56 and RTA-55 are compatible with freshwater and saltwater electric-steer, bow-mount, QUEST series trolling motors, including the Riptide Instinct QUEST, Ulterra QUEST, Riptide Terrova QUEST and Terrova QUEST. The base extrusion of the trolling motors may vary. Please note the appearance of the base extrusion for each trolling motor.
It is recommended that the motor be mounted as close to the centerline or keel of the boat as possible. Installation of the Inner Plate requires the use of all six mounting bolts. Mounting bolts spaced furthest apart will create the most stability. Ensure that the mounting location is flat and that the area under the mounting location is clear to drill holes and install hardware. If there is not enough space on the boat to install all six mounting bolts, this installation will require a Boat Deck Reinforcement Kit (1854058).
The motor must not encounter any obstructions as it is lowered into the water or raised into the boat when stowed and deployed. In the stowed position, place the motor so that the slot in the Base Extrusion is positioned beyond the boat Gunwale. For proper clearance, the entire slot must be visible beyond the Gunwale. When the motor is deployed, there must be a minimum required distance of 1½” between the Gunwale and the bottom of the Steering Housing and Shaft.
NOTICE: Ensure that the motor will not encounter any obstructions when positioning the motor on and off the composite bracket. The exact placement of the motor and bracket may vary depending on the boat, boat deck, and base extrusion to which the bracket is being mounted.
The bracket is designed so that the Handle Assembly can be installed on either the Port or Starboard side to accommodate clearances and personal preferences. Be sure that the Handle Assembly will not encounter any obstructions on the bow of the boat and can be pulled entirely out to release the plates when mounted.
This installation requires the use of hardware included with the trolling motor. The six Backup Bars (Part #2371796) from the motor hardware bag assembly (Part #2994948) will be needed.
With the motor in the stowed position, ensure there is enough room for the Shaft and Control Head and that they do not extend off the side of the boat.

INSTALLATION

Installing the Outer Plate to a Terrova or Riptide Terrova

a. Make sure that the Power Cables from the battery are disconnected or that the breaker, if equipped, is “off.”

WARNING.

Make sure that the Power Cables from the battery are disconnected or that the breaker, if equipped, is “off.”

b. Place the mount on an elevated, level surface such as a workbench or the tailgate of a pickup. Themotor should be in the stowed position.

NOTICE: The trolling motor weighs up to 90lbs. Minn Kota recommends having a second person help with the installation.

c. Remove the four Sideplate Screws using a #3 Phillips Screwdriver. Two of these screws will be located on each side of the mount.
d. Remove the Right Sideplate and the Left Sideplate to expose the six mounting holes on the Base Extrusion.
e. The center mounting hole on either side of the Base Extrusion is blocked by a Spring. One end of each Spring must be disconnected in order to access the mounting holes.
f. To disconnect the Spring, take a Needle-nose Pliers and carefully grab the hooked end on the top half of the Spring. Unhook it from the hole in the Side Rail by pulling up. Guide it towards the bottom half of the Spring still attached to the Base Extrusion and gentlyset it down. Do not disconnect the end of the Spring that is wrapped around a bolt. Unhook both Springs.

CAUTION

When maneuvering each Spring, carefully handle the Spring to avoid bending it. Do not grab the body of the Spring to avoid pinching between the spring coils. Always grab by the hooked end.

CAUTION

When handling each Spring, always keep the spring tension under control. Abruptly releasing the Spring while there is still tension could damage it and cause it to release unpredictably.

g. Place the Outer Plate (Item #6) against the bottom of the Base Extrusion. The recessed holes in the Outer Plate should face down toward the BoatDeck. Position the Outer Plate so that the end with Mounting Holes farthest from the edge points inboard when mounted to the motor. Align the Mounting Holes in the Outer Plate with the Mounting Holes in the Base Extrusion that were exposed when the sideplates and Springs were removed.
NOTICE: To prevent seizing of the stainless steel hardware, do not use high-speed installation tools. Wetting the screws or applying an anti-seize (Item #28) may help prevent seizing.
h. Use six each of the Button Head Screws (Item #20), Flat Washers (Item #24), and Nylock Nuts (Item #26) to secure the Outer Plate to the Base Extrusion. Put anti-seize (Item #28) on all hardware. Place a Flat Washer on each Button Head Screw, then install the Screws up through the Outer Plate and into the Base Extrusion. Place a Nylock Nut on the end of each Screw. While holding each Nylock Nut with a 9/16″ Box End or Open End Wrench, use a 7/32″ Allen Wrench to tighten each Screw. Tighten to 120 in-lbs. Make sure all hardware is secure.
NOTICE: Use extra care to avoid pinching and damaging the sensor wires that run alongside the Base Extrusion when installing and tightening the mounting hardware.
i. With the Outer Plate secured to the Base Extrusion, reassemble the Springs that were disconnected. Use a Needle-nose Pliers to grab the hooked end of the loose Spring. Reconnect it by pulling it upwards and hooking it in the hole on the Side Rail. The curved end of the Spring should be reattached from thetop down. Make sure the Spring is not twisted when reattaching it. Reattach the Spring on both the right and left side of the Base Extrusion.

CAUTION

When maneuvering each Spring, carefully handle the Spring to avoid bending it. Do not grab the body of the Spring to avoid pinching between the spring coils. Always grab by the hooked end.

CAUTION

When handling each Spring, always keep the spring tension under control. Abruptly releasing the Spring while there is still tension could damage it and cause it to release unpredictably.

j. With both Springs re-attached, replace the Right Sideplate and Left Sideplate.
k. Replace the four Sideplate Screws using a #3 Phillips Screwdriver. Two of these screws will be located on each side of the mount. Hand tighten.

Installing the Outer Plate to an Ulterra or Riptide Instinct

a. Make sure that the Power Cables from the battery are disconnected or that the breaker, if equipped, is “off.”

WARNING

Make sure that the Power Cables from the battery are disconnected or that the breaker, if equipped, is “off.”

b. Place the mount on an elevated, level surface such as a workbench or the tailgate of a pickup. The motor should be in the stowed position.

NOTICE: The trolling motor weighs up to 90lbs. Minn Kota recommends having a second person help with the installation.

c. Remove the four Sideplate Screws using a #3 Phillips Screwdriver. Two of these screws will be located on each side of the mount.
d. Remove the Right Sideplate and the Left Sideplate to expose the six mounting holes in the Base Extrusion.
e. Place the Outer Plate (Item #6) against the bottom of the Base Extrusion. The recessed holes in the Outer Plate should face down toward the Boat Deck. Position the Outer Plate so that the end with Mounting Holes farthest from the edge pointsinboard when mounted to the motor. Align the Mounting Holes in the Outer Plate with the Mounting Holes in the Base Extrusion.

NOTICE: To prevent seizing of the stainless steel hardware, do not use high-speed installation tools. Wetting the screws or applying an anti-seize (Item #28) may help prevent seizing.

f. Use six each of the Button Head Screws (Item #20), Flat Washers (Item #24), and Nylock Nuts (Item #26) to secure the Outer Plate to the Base Extrusion. Put anti-seize (Item #28) on all hardware. Place a Flat Washer on each Button Head Screw, then install the Screws up through the Outer Plate and into the Base Extrusion. Place a Nylock Nut on the end of eachScrew. While holding each Nylock Nut with a 9/16″ Box End or Open End Wrench, use a 7/32″ Allen Wrench to tighten each Screw. Tighten to 120 in-lbs. Make sure all hardware is secure.

NOTICE: Use extra care to avoid pinching and damaging the sensor wires that run alongside the Base Extrusion when installing and tightening the mounting hardware.

g. With the Outer Plate secured, replace the Right Sideplate and Left Sideplate.
h. Replace the four Sideplate Screws using a #3 Phillips Screwdriver. Two of these screws will be located on each side of the mount.

Installing the Handle Assembly

a. Place the motor with the Outer Plate attached as close to the centerline or keel of the boat as possible. Review the mounting considerations at the beginning of this document. Determine if the motor will bemounted on the Port or Starboard side of the bow and if the Handle Assembly (Item #B) will release inboard or outboard. The side of the bracket that the Handle Assembly is used on will determine which side the Padlock Pin (Item #14) will be installed on.
b. With a mounting location determined and all clearances confirmed, mark the side and rear edges of the Outer Plate on the bow of the boat with an Awl or similar marking tool. These markings will be used to position a template for mounting the Inner Plate.

ITEM(S) NEEDED

c. Once a position for the Handle Assembly is selected, the Padlock Pin (Item #14) can be installed. Place the Padlock Pin into the Outer Plate on the desired side so that the larger diameter of the Pin installs into the Outer Plate.
d. Take note of the two small screw holes on the bottom of the Outer Plate. These holes do not pass all theway through the Plate and are for the Screw that will retain the Padlock Pin. Rotate the Padlock Pin so thatthe hole in the Pin lines up with this screw hole.
e. Take the 1/4-20 X 7/8 Screw (Item #16) used to secure the Padlock Pin and apply anti-seize (Item #28) to the Screw. Insert the Screw into the Outer Plate and Padlock Pin. Secure with a #3 Phillips Screwdriver.

CAUTION

Ensure that the Screw is installed on the same side as the Padlock Pin. Failure to retain the Padlock Pin with the Screw will prevent the bracket and motor from securing. An improperly secured motor may fall and cause injury.

Installing the Inner Plate

The following instructions apply only to installations where the MKA-56/RTA-55 Inner Plate is mounted directly to the boat deck. If installing the Inner Plate with a Boat Deck Reinforcement Kit (1854058), follow the installation instructions provided with the Boat Deck Reinforcement Kit. Review the mounting considerations to determine if a Boat Deck Reinforcement Kit is required. Installing the Inner Plate to the boat deck will require the use of hardware included with the trolling motor. This installation will use six Backup Bars (Part #2371796) from the mounting hardware bag assembly (Part

2994948).

CAUTION

An incorrectly secured trolling motor may cause injury. Installation of the Inner Plate requires the use of all six mounting bolts. Avoid injury from an incorrectly secured trolling motor by following the installation instructions.

a. Take the box that the Quick Release Bracket camein and carefully pull the glued edges apart. Open the box so that it lays flat. A mounting template is printed on the inside of the box to help locate, mark, and drill mounting holes for the Inner Plate. Cut the template out with Scissors and place it on the bow.
b. Align the template with the markings made on the bow while checking handle and motor clearances. Make sure that the direction of template matches the direction of the Outer Plate as it is attached to the motor. The end with six holes close together should face outboard.

ITEM(S) NEEDED

c. The Stiffener Plate (Item #2) is flush with the Inner Plate (Item #4), and may not be immediately noticable when removing the Quick Release Bracket from the box. The top surface of the Inner Plate is recessed to acommodate the placement of the Stiffener Plate. This surface should face up.
d. Take the Stiffener Plate and place it into the recessed surface of the Inner Plate. The Stiffener Plate should be set on the Inner Plate so the recessed holes for the Flat Head Screws are facing up. e. Take note of the position of the template in relation to the Inner Plate Assembly to ensure proper mounting.

CAUTION

Failure to follow proper product installation may lead to injury from product failure. To avoid injury from a damagedproduct, ensure that the Stiffener Plate is present on the Inner Plate before installing mounting hardware. Do not install the Inner Plate without the Stiffener Plate.

f. When mounting the Inner Plate Assembly, all six mounting bolts must be used, with three bolts on each side of the Plate. The template indicates various mounting hole options to provide flexibilityand account for variances in bow shapes. If the desired mounting location and mounting hole pattern does not allow for all six mounting bolts, a Boat Deck Reinforcement Kit (1854058) should be used or a new mounting location selected.
g. Mark the boat deck with all four mounting holes on the template that are the furthest inboard.
h. Look at the end of the template that is the furthest outboard. There are six remaining mounting holes on the template. The two holes in the center of this pattern are for additional security only and should not be used for primary installation of the Inner Plate. Select a pattern from the remaining four mounting holes. Mark one of these two holes on each side of the Inner Plate. The chosen holes donot need to be symmetrical, as long as one mounting bolt is used on each side of the Inner Plate.
i. Use the template to mark the locations of the six drill holes. Use a Drill with a 13/32″ Drill Bit to drill through the Boat Deck on the marked locations.

ITEM(S) NEEDED

NOTICE: Images are a graphical representation only and may vary from your mounting position.

j. Take the Inner Plate Assembly and place it on the boat deck. Align the mounting holes in the Inner Plate Assembly with the holes that were drilled in the boat deck using the template.

CAUTION.

Failure to follow proper product installation may lead to injury from product failure. To avoid injury from a damaged product, ensure that the Stiffener Plate is present on the Inner Plate before installing mounting hardware. Do not install the Inner Plate without the Stiffener Plate.

NOTICE: To prevent seizing of the stainless steel hardware, do not use high-speed installation tools. Wetting the screws or applying an anti-seize (Item #28) may help prevent seizing.

NOTICE: This installation requires the use of hardware included with the trolling motor. The six Backup Bars (Part #2371796) from the motor hardware bag assembly (Part #2994948) are required

k. Insert a 3/8-16 x 3” Flat Head Screw (Item #22) into each of the six drilled locations. Apply anti-seize (Item #28) to all hardware. The Flat Head Screwsshould pass through the Stiffener Plate and Inner Plate that make up the Inner Plate Assembly, and then pass through the boat deck.
l. Place a Backup Bar (Part #2371796) and then a Nylock Nut (Item #26) at the end of each Screw.While holding each Nylock Nut with a 9/16″ Box End or Open End Wrench, use a #4 Phillips Screwdriver to tighten each Screw. Make sure all hardware is secure.

Completing the Installation

ITEM(S) NEEDED

a. Place the Outer Plate attached to the motor onto the Inner Plate that was mounted to the bow of the boat. To secure the Plates together, insert the Handle Assembly on the same side as the Padlock Pin.
b. Insert the Hair Clip Pin (Item #18) into the Padlock Pin to complete the assembly. The straight prong ofthe Hair Clip should pass through the center of the Padlock Pin, with the curved prong wrapped around the outside of the Padlock Pin. The Padlock Pin should sit in the middle arch of the Hair Clip Pin.

CAUTION

Before using or transporting the trolling motor, always make sure that the Handle Assembly is fully inserted and retained by the Hair Clip Pin. Failure to insert and secure the Handle Assembly may result in injury from a falling motor.

NOTICE: A padlock can be used in place of the Hair Clip Pin to prevent motor theft. The diameter of the hole in the Padlock Pin is 1/4″.