View Poll Results: How reliable has your Rhodan been?
No issues - Love it
69
57.02%
Non-reoccurring issue - would buy again
27
22.31%
Reoccurring issues - would not buy again
25
20.66%
Voters: 121. You may not vote on this poll
Rhodan Trolling Motor Poll - How reliable has yours been?
08-12-2019, 11:52 AM
#1
Admirals Club
Thread Starter
Rhodan Trolling Motor Poll - How reliable has yours been?
Plenty of Rhodan threads, I know, but none that I found that specifically address reliability. In another recent thread regarding an install on a big express , several people chimed in regarding issues with their Rhodan. I understand that all companies will have issues at times, but the concerning part to me is that these particular issues were reoccurring even after replacing the defective parts.
So, have you had issues with your Rhodan?
Are the issues reoccurring?
Is it possibly the installs on the bigger (30' CC's) that are more prone to problems because of how hard the Rhodan has to work?
So, have you had issues with your Rhodan?
Are the issues reoccurring?
Is it possibly the installs on the bigger (30' CC's) that are more prone to problems because of how hard the Rhodan has to work?
08-12-2019, 12:37 PM
#2
Senior Member
My anchor is pretty jealous of it at the moment.....even my wife has now come to terms with the cost vs effectiveness of it if that makes a difference haha
08-12-2019, 01:06 PM
#3
Admirals Club
After a year and a half of "weekend-warrior" level duty, not the first issue with the motor.
Have not had to make a phone call to them since I went down to pick it up.
Have not had to make a phone call to them since I went down to pick it up.
08-12-2019, 01:40 PM
#5
Senior Member
My old one was damn near flawless. Had an issue with internal corrosion of the lower unit, behind the line x, that was taken care of. That was the only issue in approximately 5 yrs of service. I have heard that they are now under new/different ownership and some people seem to think there is some QC issues with that. But I only recently heard this and it has not been confirmed in any way. Maybe someone here knows something. As far as I am concerned I would absolutely buy one again.
08-12-2019, 01:44 PM
#6
Admirals Club
This weekend I was making my wife drive while I tried to use the sabiki rod to get bait off a buoy. She kept getting frustrated trying to keep the boat close while watching our son so after a few minutes I stopped and deployed the rhodan. Her comment later that day was that we will ALWAYS be using the rhodan when getting bait. The only issue I had was a faulty remote that they replaced. I have had a few days where the wind and current were too strong for it but that is why I still have an anchor on board. For me it is worth the cost even if it only works 90% of the time.
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08-12-2019, 02:26 PM
#7
Admirals Club
I had the same issue as Patten222 with mine the lower took on water and was coming out the head unit, corroded from the inside out. They said Electrolysis caused it most likely a pinched wire in the lower, they fixed it no questions asked. haven't ran it since it was fixed yet. Before that was GREAT!!!
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08-12-2019, 07:12 PM
#9
After storing and deploying a few times it tends to lose its coordinates and want to spin in circles. I reset the power and all works like normal again. This has occurred a few times. Otherwise zero complaints from me.
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08-21-2019, 06:29 AM
#14
Admirals Club
I believe its the heading sensor / compass. For some reason I recall the tech on the phone referring to it as a compass.
Whatever it is, I am on my third one in a year. The first time it broke, they had someone pick it up at my house the next morning and it was back to me in two days. This last time, it shit the bed the first day into my two week keys trip. I called them up at 4pm and they had one overnighted to me and in my hands by noon the next day. Installed it myself in a few minutes. Obviously there is an issue and although its not ideal, I am still pleased with the effort of Rhodan getting us back to normal operations immediately. Huge thumbs up for their service department.
Whatever it is, I am on my third one in a year. The first time it broke, they had someone pick it up at my house the next morning and it was back to me in two days. This last time, it shit the bed the first day into my two week keys trip. I called them up at 4pm and they had one overnighted to me and in my hands by noon the next day. Installed it myself in a few minutes. Obviously there is an issue and although its not ideal, I am still pleased with the effort of Rhodan getting us back to normal operations immediately. Huge thumbs up for their service department.
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08-21-2019, 06:35 AM
#15
Admirals Club
So 50% of these things going out have issues, 25% so much that the owners wouldn't buy again. Not a great track record. Back for warranty 3 times in one year? I sure as shit would be in the regret camp.
08-22-2019, 05:27 AM
#17
I’ve had my 84” 36V Rhodan for about 6 months on my old WC 255DC and one day on my new WC 295DC. I’m getting concerned about the overall durability of the product. Issues that I have personally had:
1. Unit would lose its magnet bearing / orientation and would then wrap itself up in the power cord as it turned around nonstop in circles. Only way to stop it is to hit the manual button on the FOB or step on the foot lever to bring the motor up. Rhodan customer service shipped me a new compass card which was easy to install. Fixed the problem for a few weeks then started to act up again. My friend just had the same Rhodan installed on his 32’ Cape Horn a couple of weeks ago and he has already experienced the same problem.
2. The gear in the housing had to be replaced. Another friend with a 27’ Everglade had the same issue. I sent mine to get fixed while he got parts to fix his.
3. The motherboard went out as FOB would not work and unit showed green, red, green indicator lights when should’ve been all green. Part of the reason I sent it in to Rhodan for repairs as mentioned in 2 above.
4. Shaft sticks at the mounting bracket deployment sleeve when trying to deploy the unit. Rhodan said to put some Vaseline on it. This solved the problem but then the movable clamp on the shaft wouldn’t hold. Tightened it down until the knob stripped. Rhodan sent me new one.
Just got the Rhodan back and just got it installed on my new WC 295DC. Tried it for the first time yesterday when I took the new boat out for the delivery shakedown run. I was shocked that the unit immediately started doing the 360 degree power cord strangulation on the first drop. Will be calling Rhodan again this morning.
Also, I sent an email note to Rhodan last week with the list of issues / concerns hoping that they will come up with some better designs and solutions to these common, reoccurring problems. I have not heard back from them.
One good old thing is that their customer service response is phenomenal.
1. Unit would lose its magnet bearing / orientation and would then wrap itself up in the power cord as it turned around nonstop in circles. Only way to stop it is to hit the manual button on the FOB or step on the foot lever to bring the motor up. Rhodan customer service shipped me a new compass card which was easy to install. Fixed the problem for a few weeks then started to act up again. My friend just had the same Rhodan installed on his 32’ Cape Horn a couple of weeks ago and he has already experienced the same problem.
2. The gear in the housing had to be replaced. Another friend with a 27’ Everglade had the same issue. I sent mine to get fixed while he got parts to fix his.
3. The motherboard went out as FOB would not work and unit showed green, red, green indicator lights when should’ve been all green. Part of the reason I sent it in to Rhodan for repairs as mentioned in 2 above.
4. Shaft sticks at the mounting bracket deployment sleeve when trying to deploy the unit. Rhodan said to put some Vaseline on it. This solved the problem but then the movable clamp on the shaft wouldn’t hold. Tightened it down until the knob stripped. Rhodan sent me new one.
Just got the Rhodan back and just got it installed on my new WC 295DC. Tried it for the first time yesterday when I took the new boat out for the delivery shakedown run. I was shocked that the unit immediately started doing the 360 degree power cord strangulation on the first drop. Will be calling Rhodan again this morning.
Also, I sent an email note to Rhodan last week with the list of issues / concerns hoping that they will come up with some better designs and solutions to these common, reoccurring problems. I have not heard back from them.
One good old thing is that their customer service response is phenomenal.
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08-22-2019, 06:08 AM
#18
Living in NC, I dont have the luxury of taking it to the shop. Long story short I could work for them now. I've taken it apart from head to toe multiple times as they continue to send parts.....4 steering boxes,head compass and gps,motherboard etc,etc,etc. Great customer service but I sure have to call alot. 2 years with the product.
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08-22-2019, 12:01 PM
#20
Senior Member
I have buddies with both minn kota and rhodans.... I’m building a new boat and I’ve requested a minn Kota be installed on the boat. Both brands have had issues but the minn Kota just seems sturdier to me...
