Bow mount location ideas

[Buckeyedude]

Looking for input on mounting my bow mount minn kota maxxum. I knoe the farther forward toward the bow it is the more control you have, but I also need room for my cleat and guides. Here are a few layouts

I kind of like this third option, it does only allow me to anchor off of the starboard side, but it keeps the head of my motor from hanging farther out off of the port side when it is not in use.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Bow mount location ideas

I feel your dilemma and don't really have an easy answer for you...I will be running into this problem in a few months and I have been contemplating some of the same issues...

The first question I have is, are you mounting it permanently to the deck, or are you installing a quick dismount for it?
Secondly, have you thought about building a separate mounting base for it that would allow you to mount it almost in a straight line to the center of the boat...?

The only suggestion I could give you is to see how the motor mounts in a more straight fashion...in other words, keeping the upper part of the motor, when it is stowed, within the confines of the hull, to avoid having two parts of the motor hanging out over the rub rail...

Good luck and I would like to know what you settle on and how it ends up working for you...

 

[gm280]

Re: Bow mount location ideas

I was told and confirmed that if you mount your trolling motor so that the shaft is perfectly in line with the center of the boat you will not have a problem with it steering differently from one side to the other. I see so many people mount their trolling motors back from the front center position to either side and then don't understand why it steers good going one way but a constant struggle going the other way... So from that perspective, mount it so the shaft is dead center to the front center of your boat. Now how to do that without problems is another issue. I'd be willing to remove the front cleat to accommodate the trolling motor, especially if you have others cleats on the sides or back of the boat. You can use those cleats instead. Trolling motor takes precedence... Also you have a front navigation light to work with. If you mount the trolling motor to drop dead center, that front light has to be moved as well. But there is hope. I had the same issue and went to a pole mounted navigation light setup that was removable and when installed would stand higher than the trolling motor when stored... You have to be able to see that navigation light from both sides unobstructed. So you literally have to change that with however you mount the trolling motor. JMHO!

 

[Teamster]

Re: Bow mount location ideas

I second making sure the trolling motor is centered when deployed,...

I also put a pole mounted navigation light on the bow,..........

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Bow mount location ideas

Have you considered fabricating a trolling motor bow mount extension that could be mounted to the bow?

 

[dozerII]

Re: Bow mount location ideas

I have mounted three just as your first photo shows it positioned and have never had any steering issues, the pole mounted bow light is the way to go as mentioned above. I just mounted A Terrova 80 the same way on my current project, and am not forseeing any problems with it either.

 

[Buckeyedude]

Re: Bow mount location ideas

I feel your dilemma and don't really have an easy answer for you...I will be running into this problem in a few months and I have been contemplating some of the same issues...

The first question I have is, are you mounting it permanently to the deck, or are you installing a quick dismount for it?
Secondly, have you thought about building a separate mounting base for it that would allow you to mount it almost in a straight line to the center of the boat...?

The only suggestion I could give you is to see how the motor mounts in a more straight fashion...in other words, keeping the upper part of the motor, when it is stowed, within the confines of the hull, to avoid having two parts of the motor hanging out over the rub rail...

Good luck and I would like to know what you settle on and how it ends up working for you...

Yes, it is going to be mounted permanently, at least for right now that is the plan!
I don't this would be such an issue if it wasnt like 6' long ! No I havent really thought about making a bracket for it.

 

[Buckeyedude]

Re: Bow mount location ideas

The nav light has always been a concern of mine also. My smaller boat is a v-bow tracker and it has the removable light on a pole.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Bow mount location ideas

Mine is mounted I suppose closest to pic #3 and it works great. Bonus is the head of the motor when stowed is pretty much on top of my bow rail which allows me to bungee it to the rail which prevents bouncing.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Bow mount location ideas

I feel your dilemma and don't really have an easy answer for you...I will be running into this problem in a few months and I have been contemplating some of the same issues...

The first question I have is, are you mounting it permanently to the deck, or are you installing a quick dismount for it?
Secondly, have you thought about building a separate mounting base for it that would allow you to mount it almost in a straight line to the center of the boat...?

The only suggestion I could give you is to see how the motor mounts in a more straight fashion...in other words, keeping the upper part of the motor, when it is stowed, within the confines of the hull, to avoid having two parts of the motor hanging out over the rub rail...

Good luck and I would like to know what you settle on and how it ends up working for you...

Mine is mounted just like this, no steering issues. Terrova 80 i-pilot

 

[Buckeyedude]

Re: Bow mount location ideas

Mine is mounted I suppose closest to pic #3 and it works great. Bonus is the head of the motor when stowed is pretty much on top of my bow rail which allows me to bungee it to the rail which prevents bouncing.

Yea,that was my thinking also with that position. Thats another reason I have held off installing the rails. They might be the last thing to go on that boat lol