bow mount vs. transom?

[Redangler]

I never had a trolling motor, but why are bow mounts so much more popular? Is it because the transom mount style may interfere with my outbord motor? Maybe that is why bow mounts are more expensive.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: bow mount vs. transom?

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[Silvertip]

Re: bow mount vs. transom?

Bow mounted trollers are far more efficient pulling a boat than pushing it, especially in windy conditions where the wind tends to spin the bow around. Stern mounted motors will not interfere with the motor but it depends on the type of boat. Bow mounts have far more complex mountings than stern mounts and bow mounts also have more complex controls which include foot controlled with push-pull cable steer, electric steer, hand controlled, and corded and wireless controls. Stern mounts are fairly simple hand controlled with 3 or more speeds and a simple tilt mechanism.

 

[NGABaldEagle]

Re: bow mount vs. transom?

Bow mount allows YOU to throw in the promising looking places first.

Stern mount allows you to steer your buddy into it.

Just kidding.

Bow mount= efficiency, control, never stop fishing.

 

[Redangler]

Re: bow mount vs. transom?

Bow mounted trollers are far more efficient pulling a boat than pushing it, especially in windy conditions where the wind tends to spin the bow around. Stern mounted motors will not interfere with the motor but it depends on the type of boat. Bow mounts have far more complex mountings than stern mounts and bow mounts also have more complex controls which include foot controlled with push-pull cable steer, electric steer, hand controlled, and corded and wireless controls. Stern mounts are fairly simple hand controlled with 3 or more speeds and a simple tilt mechanism.

I appreciate the info silvertip. Since wind can almost always be an issue, it seems logical to get the bow mount moter. By the way it is just for a simple 15" Aluminum. Maybe all those guys on TV have the bow mounts for a good reason and not just to sell me something. I guess the bow mounts are worth the extra dollars. Thanks for making my decision easy silvertip and Baldeagle.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: bow mount vs. transom?

I'm about to provide you (and others) with a reason why it's so important to provide full information when one posts a question? Had you mentioned you had a small 15 foot (simple??) aluminum boat I now have another less expensive suggestion. Your "simple" aluminum boat may not have sufficient bow space on which to mount a sissor type or a pad mounted bow mount motor. If that's the case, what you can do is buy a stern mount motor, remove the head, turn it 180 degrees and clamp it on the bow directly or using an easily fabricated bracket. So you see, you really don't need a bow mount, plus its easily removable for transport.

 

[Redangler]

Re: bow mount vs. transom?

I'm about to provide you (and others) with a reason why it's so important to provide full information when one posts a question? Had you mentioned you had a small 15 foot (simple??) aluminum boat I now have another less expensive suggestion. Your "simple" aluminum boat may not have sufficient bow space on which to mount a sissor type or a pad mounted bow mount motor. If that's the case, what you can do is buy a stern mount motor, remove the head, turn it 180 degrees and clamp it on the bow directly or using an easily fabricated bracket. So you see, you really don't need a bow mount, plus its easily removable for transport.

I am kind of wide eyed at the moment. I see your point though. Information helps the communication. I might add this info; Your right, there is not a lot of room on the bow. Is a stern mount motor less expensive then? I do like the fact that it would be removed easily. At least I feel like fabricating the bracket won't be anything major. Now removing the head and rotating 180 degrees, Well I may need some direction to do this since I have never done it before. I am going to look into this more - and Thanks.

 

[NGABaldEagle]

Re: bow mount vs. transom?

Yes.
A stern mount is about 25% of the cost of a bow mount.

I did notice soon afterward.

15' aluminum?
Could be a bass tracker or a jon boat.

15' Jon boat would indicate likely an older vee hull.

No sure way to determine.

We cant read minds but we answered the question sufficiently.

If you have a $900 boat....spending $449.00 on a bow mount trolling motor would be the ultimate faux paus.

Im not saying thats what you have, point being that everything should be proportional.

I tried for years to make my 1978 Reinell 8m cruiser perfect.
After 2 years of constant attention and thousands of dollars somebody finally told me I was sick. That no matter how much I toiled that boat would never be a new one. I realized they were right and put the old stainless rails back on. I had 19k in a boat worth 9k.

I never learn though.
I put 10k in an atv.
Sold for 4k.

Im getting better.
I have a boat worth 5 times what I got in it.
Im already devising wasy to change that.
Im still sick.


Lets lay it to rest.
if your boat weighs less than 500 lbs.
Buy a stern mount and reverse at the bow.
Make sure it has 3 speeds for reverse.

Some of you are as sick as I am.
You are in denial!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: bow mount vs. transom?

Turning the head is not rocket science. If you think about it, having the motor mounted at the back the tiller handle points forward and the motor pushes the boat. Mounting it up front does the same thing but the tiller handle still points forward. So you remove the cover attaching screws, determine how the shaft is secured to the head, remove that hardware, turn the shaft (or the head) 180 degrees and put things back together.

 

[Redangler]

Re: bow mount vs. transom?

Turning the head is not rocket science. If you think about it, having the motor mounted at the back the tiller handle points forward and the motor pushes the boat. Mounting it up front does the same thing but the tiller handle still points forward. So you remove the cover attaching screws, determine how the shaft is secured to the head, remove that hardware, turn the shaft (or the head) 180 degrees and put things back together.

I will do that. Yes I am a little sick too. I am trying to learn from others though. You have already inspired me and thought me a few things in a short time. (Thumbs up)

 

[Texasmark]

Re: bow mount vs. transom?

Having BTDT I totally agree with bow mounting. In my early trolling motor days, I mounted a transom mounted motor in the bow of my semiV alum boat. Had to adapt a piece of wood to the gunwale to make it work....give it something to clamp to.

But it did work and worked just fine considering what I had invested and the fact that I had never used one before so I wasn't spoiled by all the goodies the high dollar ones offered. I even rigged up a foot control power switch (essentially just moved the power switch down a 6' set of wires) so that I could fish with two hands and stop the motor when I wanted to....course I had to steer it manually, but what the heck.

Mark

 

[MC Degner]

Re: bow mount vs. transom?

So, would you recommend adapting a transom mount to the bow on a slightly larger boat? (1985 17 ft. bass boat)

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: bow mount vs. transom?

I don't think that their point was completely about the size, but the cost too. If you've got the space, the money, and the desire then buy a bow-mounted trolling motor. If not, you'll be just fine with one on the back.

My 16.5 foot 1985 Fisher came with stern trolling motor. It worked fine for a while but eventually died. I had the space, a few extra bucks, and actually a desire to put more weight at the bow so I bought a Minnkota bow-mounted motor. It's great and nice to have. It's not needed but it is nice.

It's just like the bigger motor argument. If you've got a boat that can handle a 250hp motor, do you need to spend the money and put it on? Some would say yes, others no.

The answer is really for the individual. Once you've figured out the "can I" it always comes down to the "should I" question.