Minn Kota Talon Side Shim Kit Review

Why the Minn Kota Talon Side Shim Kit Caught My Eye

As someone who’s spent over a decade pushing gear to its limits across every imaginable environment – from the precise demands of a laboratory to the rugged unpredictability of the outdoors and the grease-stained realities of a workshop – I’m always on the lookout for those subtle yet crucial components that make a system truly sing. The Minn Kota Talon Side Shim Kit, a seemingly minor accessory, piqued my interest because it promised to solve a specific, often overlooked, integration problem. It’s designed to fill a gap when mounting a Minn Kota Talon to a Bob’s Machine Shop (BMS) jack plate, a scenario many boaters face when optimizing their trolling motor setup.

My own journey toward this particular shim kit was driven by a recent upgrade on my vessel. After installing a new BMS jack plate, I noticed a small, yet persistent, recess on the side where the Talon’s mounting bracket would meet the plate. This gap, though seemingly minor, felt like an invitation for debris and vibration, potentially compromising the long-term integrity of the installation. While a proper mount is paramount, I’ve learned that sometimes the “perfect” bolt-on isn’t always perfectly flush, and that’s where solutions like this come into play. I had considered a custom fabrication option, but the accessibility and apparent purpose-built nature of this kit made it a far more practical choice. My initial impression upon seeing the kit was one of pragmatic design; it looked like a solid piece of hardware, ready to do a specific job.

Real-World Testing: Putting the Minn Kota Talon Side Shim Kit to the Test

First Use Experience

My testing ground for this shim kit was, quite naturally, the transom of my boat, specifically where the Bob’s Machine Shop jack plate interfaces with the Minn Kota Talon. The scenario was straightforward: ensuring a secure, flush fit during the installation of the Talon onto the jack plate. I took the opportunity to do this in my home workshop, allowing me to work without the constraints of weather or daylight.

The conditions were standard for a boat modification project: a mix of workshop dust, the occasional accidental drop of a wrench nearby, and the anticipation of saltwater exposure down the line. The kit performed exactly as intended. It slotted into the gap on the side of the BMS jack plate with a satisfying snugness, no forcing or wiggling required.

Ease of use was exceptional. There was no discernible learning curve; it’s a shim, and its purpose is to fill a space. It simply went where it needed to go, aligning perfectly with the mounting holes of the Talon and the jack plate. The only minor surprise was just how precisely it fit – a testament to good engineering.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several months of rigorous use on the water, this small shim kit has proven its worth. My boat has seen countless hours trolling through choppy seas, rough wakes, and everything in between, with the Talon deployed and retracted repeatedly. The shim has held its position perfectly, showing absolutely no signs of shifting or loosening.

Durability has been excellent; there are no visible signs of stress, cracks, or degradation. It’s still black and unmarred, as if it were installed yesterday. Maintenance has been non-existent, as it’s a passive component that requires no cleaning or attention beyond its initial installation. Given its solid construction, I anticipate it will last for the lifetime of my boat’s current setup.

When comparing it to the alternative of leaving that gap unfilled, or attempting a makeshift solution, the difference is clear. This kit provides a level of security and a professional finish that generic materials simply can’t match. It performs its duty flawlessly, without drawing attention to itself, which is precisely what you want from a component like this.

Breaking Down the Features of the Minn Kota Talon Side Shim Kit

Specifications

The Minn Kota Talon Side Shim Kit is a precisely manufactured component designed to address a specific fitment issue. Its primary specification is its form-fitting design, engineered to precisely fill the recess gap found on the side of Bob’s Machine Shop (BMS) jack plates. This ensures a flush and secure mounting surface when attaching a Minn Kota Talon trolling motor.

The material is a robust, black-finished alloy, chosen for its durability and resistance to the marine environment. This offers excellent longevity and prevents corrosion. The design allows for placement on either the port or starboard side of the jack plate, offering versatility for different mounting configurations. This specificity is crucial; it’s not a generic spacer but a purpose-built piece that eliminates guesswork and ensures optimal integration.

Performance & Functionality

The core job of the Minn Kota Talon Side Shim Kit is to provide a solid, uninterrupted surface for mounting the Talon onto a BMS jack plate. It excels at this, creating a completely flush interface where a gap would otherwise exist. This uninterrupted surface is critical for distributing mounting stress evenly and preventing potential vibration-induced wear on both the jack plate and the Talon’s mounting bracket.

Its strength lies in its absolute simplicity and effectiveness. It does one thing, and it does it perfectly. There are no weaknesses to speak of in its primary function. It meets and exceeds expectations because it resolves an installation nuance that could otherwise lead to less secure mounting or aesthetic compromise.

Design & Ergonomics

The design of this shim kit is all about functional precision. The materials appear to be of high quality, providing a sense of sturdiness that suggests it can withstand the rigors of marine use. The black finish is not only aesthetically pleasing, matching many marine components, but also hints at a protective coating against the elements.

Ergonomically, it’s a piece that you install once and forget about. There’s no need to “handle” it during operation, making its usability entirely about its fit and stability once installed. The precise contours ensure it seats perfectly against the jack plate, making the subsequent mounting of the Talon straightforward and secure.

Durability & Maintenance

Given its solid construction and simple design, the Minn Kota Talon Side Shim Kit is built for long-term durability. It’s not a component that experiences wear and tear in the traditional sense, as it’s a static part of the mounting system. Under normal boating conditions, it’s designed to last for many years, likely outlasting other components on the boat.

Maintenance is effectively zero. Once installed, it requires no cleaning, lubrication, or adjustments. The primary concern would be ensuring it’s properly seated during installation. Potential failure points are minimal; perhaps extreme impact could damage it, but this is unlikely in its recessed position.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Minn Kota Talon Side Shim Kit is a standalone accessory kit, typically containing the necessary shim(s) for a single installation point. It does not come with additional accessories in the traditional sense. However, its primary function is to enable the proper use and mounting of the Minn Kota Talon itself, which has numerous accessories.

The kit itself is not designed for customization in terms of appearance or function; its utility is in its precise fitment for BMS jack plates. Its role is to ensure the Talon can be mounted correctly, thus allowing all of the Talon’s own features and accessories to function as intended.

Pros and Cons of the Minn Kota Talon Side Shim Kit

Who Should Buy the Minn Kota Talon Side Shim Kit?

This shim kit is ideal for any boat owner who has a Bob’s Machine Shop (BMS) jack plate and is installing or has recently installed a Minn Kota Talon on it. If you’ve identified a recess or gap between the jack plate’s side and the Talon’s mounting bracket, this kit is precisely what you need to ensure a clean, secure, and robust installation. It’s perfect for those who value a professional, worry-free setup and want to prevent potential issues arising from an incomplete fit.

Those who should skip this product are individuals who do not have a BMS jack plate, or who have a Minn Kota Talon mounted directly to their transom without a jack plate. If your current Talon installation on a BMS plate is already perfectly flush and secure, then this kit is likely unnecessary. For those who need it, I would strongly recommend ensuring you have the correct mounting hardware for your Talon itself, as this kit is solely for addressing the side-gap issue.

Conclusion on the Minn Kota Talon Side Shim Kit

The Minn Kota Talon Side Shim Kit is a prime example of a product that excels through its targeted functionality. It addresses a specific, common issue faced by boaters integrating Minn Kota Talons with Bob’s Machine Shop jack plates, providing a clean, secure, and professional finish to the installation. The durable construction and exact fitment ensure it performs its intended task without compromise, contributing to the overall reliability of the Talon system.

Considering its $49.99 price point, the value proposition is strong for those who need it. It resolves a potential point of failure and aesthetic imperfection for a relatively small investment. I would absolutely recommend this shim kit to anyone fitting a Talon to a BMS jack plate. If you find that specific gap exists, purchasing this kit is a straightforward, no-brainer solution that guarantees a proper integration.