Converting Transom Trolling Motor To Bow Mount

[IraRat]

Do you think it's possible--albeit eliminating foot control?

I have an old Minn-Kota, and want to put it on a small 8' dinghy. Seems like the main obstacle is mounting the thing.

It has 5-forward speeds and 3 reverse, and I'm ASSUMING the lowest reverse speed (which is what I would be using to slowly hug the shoreline) is the same as forward. Or do you think there's a way to rewire so I can have 5 reverse? (Which for my usage would mean 5 forward.)

 

[IraRat]

Re: Converting Transom Trolling Motor To Bow Mount

Well, I did a search--and it seems on the Minn-Kota, it's a quick fix to flip the direction of the handle or thrust assembly, depending how you look at it. But I don't know if that also flips the functionality. My mind isn't adequately evolved to understand complicated concepts like this.

My Piece of Ship is wood, so how do you think I would mount this thing? Simply use L-brackets and a piece of lumber, and mount the motor as if you would do on the transom?

 

[IraRat]

Re: Converting Transom Trolling Motor To Bow Mount

Well, now I'm more clueless than before.

Here's the link on how to flip it, but I have no idea there the screw is that they're talking about:

Transom Mount Trolling Motor

 

[colbyt]

Re: Converting Transom Trolling Motor To Bow Mount

Flipping, twisting actually does work. I did it years ago with the old style motor mentioned later. I confess to not looking at your link. The screw is under the top body portion. The older motors used a screw and you have to carefully drill a new hole so as to not hit the wires. The newer uses use a small bolt that goes all the way through the shaft so the change is much easier.

 

[IraRat]

Re: Converting Transom Trolling Motor To Bow Mount

Yes, it's a bolt. So at least you have me looking at the right part of the motor now--the head up top!

I didn't have a clue and thought maybe it was on the shaft somewhere, or near the transom mount.

 

[colbyt]

Re: Converting Transom Trolling Motor To Bow Mount

Unscrew bolt, remove, turn head 180 (half circle, carefully slide bolt back through hole and tighten.

If you want to be super careful you can remove the head top so that you can see the wires but that is a terrible amount of work for little gain.

 

[IraRat]

Re: Converting Transom Trolling Motor To Bow Mount

Thanks! All done!

Now I gotta figure out how to mount it.

Nice bonus that I still have original controls--I thought everything was going to be reversed!

 

[colbyt]

Re: Converting Transom Trolling Motor To Bow Mount

Nice bonus that I still have original controls--I thought everything was going to be reversed!

You going off the front or the side? Jon or v?

 

[IraRat]

Re: Converting Transom Trolling Motor To Bow Mount

I think off the side--but I can't get my head around this.

The boat hasn't been in the water yet (with me), and has a v-hull. So I've been told by some that she might be tippy. My plan is to be able to stand on the bow bench while fishing (see photo above), and work the motor from there. Since this is all wood, I was thinking I could jerry-rig some lumber or SOMETHING to put the motor dead center--maybe needing brackets or something--but then, I saw this:

How to make a Electric Trolling Motor Mount,/outboard bracket for Canoe under $ 6 - YouTube

Are there any major disadvantages to doing something like this, putting motor on the side, a few inches back from bow tip? This solution is not only removable (the guy ties it down when in use, not explained in the video), but it looks so dang simple!

 

[IraRat]

Re: Converting Transom Trolling Motor To Bow Mount

Here's the hull, with the bow facing you:

 

[colbyt]

Re: Converting Transom Trolling Motor To Bow Mount

It looks like a standard transom clamp would mount to just about any portion of that gunwhale. You might need to adjust the trim a bit.

I do think you have a death wish to stand on the seat in that little rascal.

 

[IraRat]

Re: Converting Transom Trolling Motor To Bow Mount

Yeah, you're right.

Tomorrow, I'm gonna mount her to the gunwale and see what's what.