If you fish stumpy or rocky shallow water chances are you will bend the motor guide shaft. The Minkota is almost indestructible and has a life time warranty. I have 3 of them and all have bent back under my boat with no effect on them. Have heard reports of some guys shattering them but I don't see how they managed that. I would try to find someone who has one so you can try it. Nothing worse than trying to fish with something your not comfortable fishing. You might go over to BassBoatcentral and check out some of their threads on trolling motors. Lots of info over there.