Home Made Motor Mount for Minn Kota

[jameshunt]

I've been thinking of making my own mount out of Schedule 40 1/2 inch PVC pipe and fittings. My idea would be to hook onto the rear oar locks and using elbows, threaded end plugs, female adapters to make longer mount and one that would not slip fore and aft. The idea would be to give the mount more support from the side tubes rather than simply hanging off the rear tube. Hopefully this would prevent sagging, perhaps enable a more powerful motor e.t.c. It might not work, but if it does, I will post the results and what I did. (Then again, I might not even bother with it providing the factory one is satisfactory). OR, make one almost like the factory one but instead of using through fitting bolts, use threaded end cap and female adapter, this would not only prevent fore and aft slippage, but also easier to attach as you would only need screw in the end plug(s).

james (in dream mode)

 

[jameshunt]

Re: Home Made Motor Mount for Minn Kota

Phase two of thought process......

Took the Intex out on its maiden sea trial today. I like the boat itself, seems sturdy enough and handled some pretty hefty swells. The oars that come with it are not good at all. I broke one just fastening it together (too heavy handed screwing on a coupling). I had mounted a Minn Kota Endura 40. It seemed to hang a little heavy off the stern and I had to run a line around the shaft just under the head and attach to the rear oar locks. This kept it in better vertical position. The 40 thrust motor is kind of a power eater I think, we were only out for 3 hours and nearly exhausted a 75 AH Deep Cell Battery (Wally World Everstart). The little motor does push the boat around okay, but probably not much more than 6-8 knts. This experience enforces my resolve to improve on the mount. I will leave the OEM in place, but extend the reach by adding a 4 ft length of 3/4 inch PVC to the rear oar locks. The pipe extension will be secured at the oarlocks by a 1/2 inch threaded plug going into a 1/2-3/4 threaded reducer which goes into either a 45 deg or 90 deg pft/slip elbow which is glued to the pipe extension which slips over the existing mount's tubes and held in place by a bolt (using existing holes). The angle should work as I am sure there will be enough "give" in the extension pipe, otherwise I will simply move the part that attaches to the plywood in more towards the center to provide the proper angle. This should serve the same purpose as the "rope" trick I used today and the motor will be supported by nearly half the boat instead of only the stern tube.

 

[sibsub]

Re: Home Made Motor Mount for Minn Kota

I'd like to see pictures of what you rig up.

 

[jameshunt]

Re: Home Made Motor Mount for Minn Kota

Sure thing....I got er done, and next time I inflate it I will snap a photo for you. It looks pretty decent too. Actually gives me another idea of attaching larger pieces of PVC to a board at same angle and use as a fishing platform/seat. Most of the weight would be supported by the side tubes. OR....simply attach some metal clips on the bottom of the board that would clip onto the struts like on some folding tables.:facepalm:

I'd like to see pictures of what you rig up.

 

[jameshunt]

Re: Home Made Motor Mount for Minn Kota

View attachment 114892

View attachment 114893



(2) 3/4 in sked 40 PVC
(2) 1/2 in 45 Deg elbows (slip)
(2) 3/4 - 1/2 inch bushing adapters (thread/slip)
(2) 1/2 inch sprinkler risers 2 inch (just stick through oar lock holes, could add screw on cap to prevent pulling out)
1/4 inch nylon screws, washers, nuts
nothing glued, held together by friction, screws
Board at back for support and possibly mount rod holders
will also place large fender to help brace mount against boat tube.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Home Made Motor Mount for Minn Kota

Don't know how much an electric motor will push as haven't used one, that sib looks like very thin pvc fabric and will bend a lot, in order not to stress middle hadle as seen on lower pic when engine is full pushing sib. you could place 2 plasic rings, one on each side, slightly touching back holder, secure with lateral screw. This addition will help to stress less middle holder.

Happy Boating

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Home Made Motor Mount for Minn Kota

Don't know how much an electric motor pushes as haven't used one, that sib looks very thin pvc fabric made and will bend a lot, in order not to stress middle handle as seen on lower pic when engine is full pushing engine support. you could place 2 plasic rings, one on each side, slightly touching back holder, secure with lateral screw onto tube.

Happy Boating

 

[jameshunt]

Re: Home Made Motor Mount for Minn Kota

The boat is designed for operation with a small, 1.5 HP, electric motor such as Minn Kota Endura 30 or 40 as I have. Without the additional struts I added, the entire weight and push was only held by the eyelets on the rear tube and subsequently under full power the motor and mount would tend to push downwards and under the boat. Adjusting the plane by tilting the motor in a little helps a great deal. Another poster (Dobbs571) did something similar but he used steel rods fed inside small diameter pvc pipe. He also incorporated a brace across the back as I did but mine simply slips under the aluminimum factory struts to spread the weight and pressure a little more evenly. It is thin as you point out. I think it is 40 mil plastic 3 ply, but not sure without looking it up. I am told the Seyvlor Fish hunter has same material. While a little better quality than a "pool toy" its still certainly not heavy duty.

Don't know how much an electric motor pushes as haven't used one, that sib looks very thin pvc fabric made and will bend a lot, in order not to stress middle handle as seen on lower pic when engine is full pushing engine support. you could place 2 plasic rings, one on each side, slightly touching back holder, secure with lateral screw onto tube.

Happy Boating

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Home Made Motor Mount for Minn Kota

The issue with this boat is that 2 thin ply fabrics are welded forming an outside visible seam, you cannot inflate that sib for more rigidity or will busrt side seams, traditional thicker pvc sibs using outside engine supports needs to be top inflated for max rigidity to overcome flexing rear sib when engine is pushing, more throttle, more flexing, that 's the spirit of those inflatables and will need to live with this issue, anyway, are perfect sib starters...

Happy Boating

 

[videopete]

Any thoughts are building a motor mount from scratch out of 3/4 pvc pipe - do you think it would hold the weight of a 32lb trolling motor?