Bowmount troller on closed bow fish/ski mounting help

[aguynamedmike]

I am going to mount a 54# 54" remote controlled bow mount trolling motor on a quick release platform to the front of my 14' bayliner mosquito closed bow fiberglass. Would really appreciate some feedback.I am including a rough sketch of the mounting position I may go with, there are 2 arrows pointing to the aprox area the motor will reach the water. Will it still troll good from this postion? What can I expect as far as performance? Anyone ever seen something like this? Not sure how I did this and cant figure it out but the avatar photo next to my name is the actual pic of what im trying to do.

 

[John_S]

Re: Bowmount troller on closed bow fish/ski mounting help

It doesn't look like you can reach it (over the windshield) to deploy and stow it. Can your bow support your weight to walk on it, to do so?

 

[aguynamedmike]

Re: Bowmount troller on closed bow fish/ski mounting help

It doesn't look like you can reach it (over the windshield) to deploy and stow it. Can your bow support your weight to walk on it, to do so?

It has a 5 piece windshield that opens in the middle and the closed bow is ribbed and has traction for standing and shore landing

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bowmount troller on closed bow fish/ski mounting help

Not a good plan at all. Dock posts will catch either side of the stowed motor. Install it so it follows the starboard side of the hull when stowed. That puts the shaft closer to the center line of the boat when deployed. That is the conventional installation.

 

[aguynamedmike]

Re: Bowmount troller on closed bow fish/ski mounting help

Not a good plan at all. Dock posts will catch either side of the stowed motor. Install it so it follows the starboard side of the hull when stowed. That puts the shaft closer to the center line of the boat when deployed. That is the conventional installation.

This motor has a 54" shaft, if I do that it will be bangin off my windshield.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bowmount troller on closed bow fish/ski mounting help

So pivot the mount a bit so the head just clears the windshield when stowed. Stll better for operation and much less chance of docking damage.

 

[aguynamedmike]

Re: Bowmount troller on closed bow fish/ski mounting help

I have been looking on the internet for about a month for someone who has put a bow mount motor on a ski type boat, pictures or anything are just not out there. Anyone seen it done or seen pics of such a thing? Also thanks for the replies!

 

[John_S]

Re: Bowmount troller on closed bow fish/ski mounting help

I have been looking on the internet for about a month for someone who has put a bow mount motor on a ski type boat, pictures or anything are just not out there. Anyone seen it done or seen pics of such a thing? Also thanks for the replies!

Do some searching here. There were some challenging fiberglass bow boat mounts posted here. All were custom made to fit the particular boat. Yours has a decent flat area and no hand rails in the way. Your challange is that deck angle just above the rub rail. Need something to support the mounting bolts nearest the shaft. Do you have a local aluminum fabricator?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bowmount troller on closed bow fish/ski mounting help

Shims can easily be cut and shaped from starboard or even cutting boards from walmart. The net result is that the troller shft needs to be oerpendicular when deployed and you need to be able to reach the motor for deployment and stowing. Other than that it is a fairly conventional install.

 

[aguynamedmike]

Re: Bowmount troller on closed bow fish/ski mounting help

I have a nice size piece of aprox 3/8 diamond plate, I think I may just remove the non functioning bow light and make a bracket right off the front dead center and far enough forward that the power head doesnt smack the glass when stowed. Thanks for all the input.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bowmount troller on closed bow fish/ski mounting help

Non-functioning bow light! I take it you don't run at night? If you do, that light had best be working.

 

[aguynamedmike]

Re: Bowmount troller on closed bow fish/ski mounting help

I went ahead with my project, not quite the drawing I made lol but I think it came together ok, I'll post pics and hopefully next weekend I will take her out and update on the performance.