FD bow mount trolling motor?

[Shizzy]

is anyone running a trolling motor on the bow of their FD? Pics or ideas?

 

[River - Runner]

Re: FD bow mount trolling motor?

Since '01 I've been running a Minn Kota 55 powerdrive/autopilot with the wireless remote copilot on the bow of my '68 FD. For me it works very well on the Mississippi river and with heavy current.

Here's a pic of the Minn Kota quick release plate, to remove the motor. About half the time I have the motor removed. I didn't like drilling the boat, so kept the four holes small for if I'd ever fill them in the future.

Not to compromise when fishing the river with this boat, with the 40 hp motor removed, here's a pic with my 25 hp, 4 hp and front and rear electric motors on. The 25 hp isn't ideal for holding still in current.

 

[River - Runner]

Re: FD bow mount trolling motor?

I should give my main reason for the front motor... to pull and direct the boat in wind or current and it's a big help in keeping the boat from swinging around. Using only the rear electric trolling motor it's easy to lose the forward control when slow trolling and do a 180 spin. Then I'm back trolling or pulling transom forward. That's OK for slipping or going with it, but going transom forward into wind rough water or heavy current you're fighting the water. In calm waters I favor using the rear electric. Hand turning the motor is a automatic reflex and for best control I favor back trolling, again pulling the boat. For me the remote control of the front bow electric and running it at the rear of the boat with the other motors is key for getting the most out of it. The trolling motors are 12 volt and I'm also using 2 depth flashers, front and rear all on one battery. I've never run out of power yet.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: FD bow mount trolling motor?

Cool looking fishing rig you have there RR.


But,,, I think you need another motor

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: FD bow mount trolling motor?

Cool looking fishing rig you have there RR.


But,,, I think you need another motor

I was thinking the same thing there is 14' of unused boat on both sides.

Have a great day. LOL

 

[Shizzy]

Re: FD bow mount trolling motor?

I suppose I should have given more detail.

Im wanting to mount my transom mount trolling motor on the bow. I dont want to hack the boat up. I had planned to pick up a bow mount trolling motor this season, but being laid off put a hold on that plan.

I pretty much have the braketry figured out using some scrap steel and the trusty welder.

 

[River - Runner]

Re: FD bow mount trolling motor?

Cool looking fishing rig you have there RR.


But,,, I think you need another motor

I was thinking the same thing there is 14' of unused boat on both sides.

Have a great day. LOL

Count me! Motoring with oars, or a push pole, or getting out and pushing the boat over shallows. On the river, you do it all.

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: FD bow mount trolling motor?

Hi SHIZZY - I have a 12'er V-hull Sea Nymph and I use a transom mount Minn Kota 36lb mounted on the bow. Underneath the "head" of the motor there is a single bolt. If you remove it you can turn the head 180 degrees then re-install it. I mounted a permanent plywood mount for it, but you could just use the clamps on the motor to keep the plywood in place.

Reaching the tiller can be a pain in the $#@% when it's turned far to the right or left, so I'm considering getting one of those tiller extensions with a univeral type joint. Let me know if you want me to take some pictures of the set-up to give you a better idea of what I'm taking about.

BOB

 

[Shizzy]

Re: FD bow mount trolling motor?

pics would be awsome.

I already tried clamping it on as you suggested, but I wasnt real happy with how it sat both up and down.

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: FD bow mount trolling motor?

Here's how I have mine set up. I have the wood attached the same way the transom wood is. Since it's on the curved part of the bow there is very little flex in either up or down positions. I've hit some bumpy conditions with it in the 'up' position while using the gas motor and while towing and it's never budged an inch. My boat isn't a classic like yours so I didn't have any hesitations about drilling into it though.

It looks kind of odd, but works pretty darn well. Hope this helps!

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: FD bow mount trolling motor?

Here's a link to an extension handle.

http://www.iboats.com/Minn_Kota_Ext...35209501--**********.092514661--view_id.25171

I thought I saw an extension once that had a joint in it that would have made turning the motor to the extreme left or right much easier. I'll keep looking.

BOB

 

[River - Runner]

Re: FD bow mount trolling motor?

Wiz's mounting is the most common and simplest, good work! You can also make it angled under the motor, to straighten the motor to the boat. I've seen others do transom style clamp-on mounts, either boughten or home made. Sorry, for now I can't show an example. A concern could be, if your motor has enough shaft length for this boat. At the bow, my standard length shaft transom motor would be about one foot to short.

 

[cachumabass]

Re: FD bow mount trolling motor?

I've got a 14' aluminum that i had a beefy mount made so i could put my transom mount trolling motor (minn endura 30) up on the bow. Any one have opinion on how strong the motor's bracket is. will it hold up while i'm motoring when its up in the horizontal stowed position.

 

[River - Runner]

Re: FD bow mount trolling motor?

That motor will not break from wave pounding up front on your boat. Just make sure it is tightly secured.

I know these motors and have some pride in its manufacturing tooling. As I built the injection mold for handle grip.