Bow Rail, Taking it off.

[troypolla]

I have a question that you guys might be able to help me with. I am going to get a bow trolling motor, and I have a high bow rail. Well, the solution that I have found it to just take the rail off. My question is there are 3 screws at each post and seems to be sealed with silicone sealant. Do you think that there are just the three small screw holes or a full size larger hole, and do you think it could be bolted from underneath?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bow Rail, Taking it off.

most are just screwed on, no other holes. just remember after taking it off, no one can ride in the bow while underway. if you want to continue to use the bow for pleasure boating, configure a low rail, around the trolling motor. all you really need is high enough to grab on to.

 

[Frugal Floater]

Re: Bow Rail, Taking it off.

Make sure you have enough area to mount a trolling motor...The footprint on the mount is pretty big and there is a minimum surface area required...I know with my boat (Seapro), this was not an option due to the anchor compartment.

 

[JB]

Re: Bow Rail, Taking it off.

What boat do you have, Troypolla? Got pix?

I have mounted trollers on the front of Boston Whaler Montauks without removing or modifying the rail.

I have also mounted bow trollers on boats that didn't have bow space big enough for the mount footprint.

Maybe we can see a way to do one or the other on your flagship.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Bow Rail, Taking it off.

What boat do you have, Troypolla? Got pix?

I have mounted trollers on the front of Boston Whaler Montauks without removing or modifying the rail.

I have also mounted bow trollers on boats that didn't have bow space big enough for the mount footprint.

Maybe we can see a way to do one or the other on your flagship.

Just curious as to how you would mount a powerdrive or MG wireless on this boat. Don't want to remove or remodel the rail because in the future, when we get a better bass boat, we will want to bring this to original condition. I am in no hurry to get it done, but would like to know for when I can afford it. Right now I am setting up my other boat for tourneys.

 

[JB]

Re: Bow Rail, Taking it off.

Need pix, Bassboy. I have no idea what your bow and bowrail look like.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Bow Rail, Taking it off.

Sorry. I am braindead right now. Got it to my picture hosting site, copied the URL and just forgot to paste it here Did this last month too.

Actually it was also in my shareproject in my sig.

 

[JB]

Re: Bow Rail, Taking it off.

Okay. That's a doable thing. Lots of deck there, just the rail in the way.

We need to go over the rail. I think a bridge of 2X6 would do it. Top of the bridge matches the footprint of the troller. Feet of the bridge match rail height (can't tell how high it is from the pix) and are bolted through the top and through the deck. Bolts need to be countersunk on the top plank.

Sand and seal all parts of the bridge, then several coats of good poly paint or varnish. Bolt it down.

Then mount your troller to the top of the bridge.

Hope you can visualize it from that description. If not, post the dimensions and I will draw you a design.

Good luck.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Bow Rail, Taking it off.

Okay. That's a doable thing. Lots of deck there, just the rail in the way.

We need to go over the rail. I think a bridge of 2X6 would do it. Top of the bridge matches the footprint of the troller. Feet of the bridge match rail height (can't tell how high it is from the pix) and are bolted through the top and through the deck. Bolts need to be countersunk on the top plank.

Sand and seal all parts of the bridge, then several coats of good poly paint or varnish. Bolt it down.

Then mount your troller to the top of the bridge.

Hope you can visualize it from that description. If not, post the dimensions and I will draw you a design.

Good luck.

That is similar to what we were thinking about. I just saw this post and decided to see your opinion. Probably would mill out a gap in a chunk of aluminum barstock. Could mill out a gap for the rail, and then mill it so it matches the curves of the motor mount, and paint the same color so they look like one peice. Thought maybe you had a better idea that didn't require an hour of milling as we don't have the worlds best milling setup.

 

[JB]

Re: Bow Rail, Taking it off.

Sounds like a better idea than mine, Bassboy.

Go for it.