I am rough on trolling motors to say the least, I also do all my own repairs. I purchase my parts from nife in Little Rock, I am a preferred customer. Gary just shakes his head when I walk in. Asks, what have you broke now? But anyways, I have had maxxums since I can remember and even with the breakaways, I am good for at least replacing one shaft a year sometimes 2. I am very proficient in changing them, sometimes I replace up to 2 armatures a year. I have had to replace the upper shaft a few times as well. I said all that to say this, Any of the trolling motors on the market no matter the brand, if you are power fishing shallow stumpy log filled Lakes are subject to busted shafts in the case of Minn Kota and bent or busted shafts in the case of motor guide. I had a tour edition MG with the gator mount. that I had gotten good at taking it off on the water to lay it on the front deck just so I could jump on it to try and get some of the bend out of the shaft so I could continue fishing.