Help with crazy trolling motor mount ideas

[sidechoke67]

I'm trying to figure out if I can mount a trolling motor on the bow of my boat, without drilling into the bow. The boat has handrails on the bow that are through bolted - so I've been thinking about using them to build some sort of trolling motor mount that can be completely removed when tubing with the family. If anyone has any thoughts around my crazy ideas, I would love to hear them.

Attached are a picture of my boat's hand rails, my crazy idea one, and my crazy idea two. Would love to hear any thoughts or obvious reasons why they won't work...

I don't own the trolling motor yet - I'm waiting to see what my mounting options are before I decide what kind to get. It will have to be one of the more inexpensive models whatever it is.

Thanks!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Help with crazy trolling motor mount ideas

when you figure it out, you better patent it.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Help with crazy trolling motor mount ideas

just for a reality check...you do realize what kind of punishment your deck and railings will take from a trolling motor that's not totally secured? I mean completely immobilized? especially one of the inexpensive ones?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Help with crazy trolling motor mount ideas

Whether or not you want to drill into the deck, the best mounting for your application is to install a quick release plate on the bow using rubber well nuts. The plate bolts to the four well nuts and remains on the boat. The mating half of the plate bolts to the motor. In about 10 seconds the motor can be installed or removed. The release plate is not in the way of anything and if you elect to sell the boat and keep the motor, remove the well nuts, pop four plastic plugs in the holes and the guy that buys it will thank you as he/she will want a troller as well. Do not underestimate the torque that the troller will place on the rails and hence the increased risk of losing the motor. A MinnKota plate sells for $39.00 at any store that sells boating supplies.

 

[mossygo]

Re: Help with crazy trolling motor mount ideas

I know exactly what you need. I just bought a bow mount from someone and he made/welded a mounting deal for his crowline open bow. It's pretty ingenious, it's also hard to describe. He sent me pictures of the setup but I deleted them so if I can get around to it I'll try and take some pictures. I still have the mount and I don't need it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Help with crazy trolling motor mount ideas

definately take pictures. we really need ideas.

the small footprint of this motor would work on your boat, quick release, and cover plate. with 2 mounting plates it quickly can be use on 2 different boats.

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Help with crazy trolling motor mount ideas

Thanks everyone! I think this will end up being another bad idea that this forum saved me from trying to implement.

My fear with the quick release brackets has been that the flat area on my bow doesn't extend to the the edge of the boat. I would need to extend the trolling motor another 7 - 10" (estimating) past the last point where it is anchored. I'm not sure if that is too far, or if the quick release brackets can accomodate that, and if it is a sound approach. It looks like the brackets can slide out past their last anchor spot to accomplish what I would need? Can anyone confirm this, and would the trolling motor still have enough support on the end?

Thanks again!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Help with crazy trolling motor mount ideas

post some good pictures of your bow situation. looks like the rails are fine.

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Help with crazy trolling motor mount ideas

Attached are some pictures. I would really appreciate any thoughts on whether or not I might be able to use a removeable trolling motor mount with well nuts - or something similar. That is really my preference if it will work.

The first two (with hand rails on the bow) are my boat. The second two are pictues of another boat that is the same year/model as my boat.

Thanks again! I really appreciate it.

 

[Paul DuLaney]

Re: Help with crazy trolling motor mount ideas

First a friend of mine took a sheet of ply wood covered it in outdoor carpet after he cut it to where it would fit in the bow area of his bow rider. He has the battery under the wood in the open space and the wire through a hole with a quick connect.(trolling motor plug ends) He used two four by six blocks to make up the distance from the top or the plywood to the top of the bow.By using blocks he was able to extend the motor over the bow to clear the edge of the boat. It works good but is a little heavy,takes two to get it out . He needs a quick release bracket to take it all apart, but hast gotten that far yet. Me on my 18.5 ft SeaRay I had I used a exstendable rod with a rubber geramet to go through bow eye ran up to a plate from that plate two arms went to port and starboard rails. The two arms attached to the rails by using what truckers use to temporarily cb radio antennas to their mirrors.(like a gator clamp)All rods going to plate were bolted as to level out plate before tightening.I had a small block of wood on plate to clamp motor to. I used a transom mount motor , just took it apart and turned it 180 deg. and put it back together. This 36lbs motor worked good ,but not when it got windy. Used this till I sold the SeaRay and bought my Taho Q3 s/f. Hope this gives you some ideas,good luck.

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Help with crazy trolling motor mount ideas

Paul,

You don't have any old pictures of your Searay setup, do you? I was toying with ideas of using both rails and the bow eye somehow. Would love to see exactly how yours was setup. How did that setup work for you?

Also, how long was the shaft on your trolling motor? I am wondering if I will be able to find a transom mnt with a long enough shaft to mount on the bow.

Thanks!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Help with crazy trolling motor mount ideas

seriously doubt you will find a transom mount that long. you do have a mount problem. it's a shame we can get a bayliner fish n ski trolling mount.

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Help with crazy trolling motor mount ideas

you do have a mount problem.

and my cycle continues - I was just looking at pictures of my boat, looked at my swim platform, and couldn't stop myself from thinking, "boy, it sure would be easy to mount a trolling motor back there..." :redface:

I haven't even picked my boat up yet - I'll have a better idea of my options in two months or so when I've had a chance to take some measurements.

Thanks again for all the ideas and comments.

Paul and mossygo, I would still love to hear/see more about the mount options you described if you get a chance.

 

[Andrew Leigh]

Re: Help with crazy trolling motor mount ideas

Hi

This what I had planned before I sold the boat.

Select two points on the bow. The first point needs to be about 10? away the nose and the second will be further aft about 20? away from the nose. Now measure the profiles at these two points. In that I mean from the top of the bow, over the rubber strip to the hull. These profiles will be the shape of the boat and must include an allowance for suitable felt lining. You can use copper wire to bend around the shape of the boat to get the profile or any other suitable material. Cut two each of these profiles from suitable material.

From the same material draw out the mounting board to mirror the shape of the bow, allow for a border to accommodate the profiles. You obviously can make the board any size you want.

The trick now comes in ensuring that the top of each profile is at the same height such that the mounting board mounts parallel and flush with the surfaces. I?m sure you can conjure up a measuring system to ensure that the board remains parallel once mounted. I was going to use a cheap lazer pointer to do the job.

Fit the two front profiles, such that the angle between them is roughly 90?, to the underneath of the mounting board. Attach 25mm ratchet ties downs to the rear of the mounting board and loop these around the bow rails pull modestly tight. Fit the two rear profiles, also roughly 90? between them, and mount in situ.

There will be positive location down on the top of the bow, positive location on the hull while the ratchet ties will ensure that the assembly is firmly held against four surfaces and going nowhere. You should need very little pressure from the ties as the structure needs only sufficient force to stop it from slipping off the bow. This configuration is deceptively strong.

To remove undo the ties and simply slide off from the front.

Hope this poor sketch makes sense, there are so many permutations though.

Cheers
Andrew

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Help with crazy trolling motor mount ideas

Thanks Andrew! You've definitely given me a few ideas to play with.

Were you able to try out this design before you sold your boat?

I'm wondering if I could use an identical design?

Or, in my case, I think I could put a quick release mount on the flat area of my bow, but then extend the top somehow to get the trolling motor out over the bow. Now I'm wondering if I could add composite board to the top of the quick release mount, then support the end of it with cutouts like you described...

Thanks again!

 

[Andrew Leigh]

Re: Help with crazy trolling motor mount ideas

Hi,

I was not able to try the design out but mechanically I am confident that it will work.

My original idea was to make the assembly out of fibreglass moulding it directly on the boat, much like a prosthesis would fit a limb that has been lost. Figured that was too much work.

Spend long hours looking for solutions, my criteria were the same as yours, this was the easiest I could come up with.

I am not a huge fisherman and fish perhaps for 10 days a year, therefore a trolling motor is a secondary consideration so my current boat will either have a motor on the transom or the swim platform. It will be a simple hand operated unit but ....................

here is a unit that really appeals and one I am seriously considering. Could be your answer as well.

http://www.iboats.com/Minn_Kota_Eng...5390111--**********.771829356--view_id.237470

They are not cheap but easy to mount as they bolt directly onto your cavitation plate. Perhaps by the time you factor the cost of the special mounting along with the time and effort then perhaps they are not that expensive. The smallest one should do, it runs on 12V and has 55lbs of thrust. Your boat steering becomes your steering, they are also great for moving around no wake zones. When you are on the plane the trolling motor is physically out of the water.


Cheers
Andrew

 

[avtech2]

Re: Help with crazy trolling motor mount ideas

I have done this same kind of home made mount, utilizing the bow cleat that my model has. I designed it to use the cheaper transom mount trolling motors with a long shaft, used straps and ropes to secure it and work without any harm to my boat. You don't need a super powerful motor for trolling while fishing, I beleive I used a 36# thrust without any problems. Just make sure the shaft is long enough for such a configuration, I had tried 3 before we found the right lenghth.