Has anyone experienced this problem with their XI5?

I only used this thing like 4-5 times this last time I noticed when I put it in stowed position and moved to my next spot when the front of my bass boat went up water was coming out of the head of the trolling motor. When I went out this weekend and tried to use it, I hit the propeller button and it shuts off right away propeller light turns off and battery turns red. But in my drive way when I put it down it works fine spins and propeller going full speed, took it back out and same problem happened when in water. I called MotorGuide and they said it might be the control board in the head because water got in it like the seal went bad. Has anyone had any issues like this?

undistilled water is a conductor, a poor conductor, but electricity takes the path of least resistance. the moisture is likely causing a ground to water condition.

Where are you located?

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/11520090/Motorguide_xi5_-_water_in_shaf

How old is it? And MG won't warranty it?

They will warranty it but the nearest shop is 45 minutes from me, they don't have a local shop in the Austin area. I'm just going to have to make the run to get back up and running.

Do you store your boat outside .. in the rain... if so the rain could have got into the head and then ran down into the motor.. ruining it. Happened to my MK when I knocked it off the front of the boat hitting a stump and it fell in the lake.
Otherwise the motor could be leaking.

Make the drive to the nearest MG authorized dealer. It is worth it to have it fixed. My GPS module went out on mine just a few months before the warranty is due to expire. Gotta love getting it fixed for free.