Navigation Light int the way of Bow Mounted Trolling Motor

[drJ]

I just bought a bow mounted trolling motor for my 15 foot flats boat but i have run into an installation problem with my navigation light. My navigation light is right under the ideal mounting spot for my motor but if I put the motor behind the light the motor is not centered in the water. I cannot really move the light forward because there is no place for me to drill and i would have to make an aluminum platform to mount the light to. The best thing i can think of is mount the motor where it is in the right spot and put the light on a removable pole behind it. The problem with that though is the pole may be in my way when i am standing on the bow fishing.

A picture of your installation may really help.
Can someone please give me a suggestion. I am stuck. Thanks

 

[jtexas]

Re: Navigation Light int the way of Bow Mounted Trolling Motor

no need for the motor to be centered, most bow-mounted trolling motors aren't. for that matter, no real need for the nav light to be centered either.

 

[wileecoyote985]

Re: Navigation Light int the way of Bow Mounted Trolling Motor

drj;

If your installation is anything like mine, and I had the same issue, you're probably going to have to use a nav light that's mounted on some type of stalk. This will be necessary just to make it visible over your trolling motor when it's stowed.. OR you could use something like the shark eye lights I've linked below. That might be your best looking option. That would obviously require cutting mounting openings for them though.

http://www.iboats.com/mall/?session..._id=236390&list_time=1168830773&view_id=49244

BTW. Lots of good info in a similar thread just a couple of threads down. Hadn't read it when I initially responded to your post..

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Navigation Light int the way of Bow Mounted Trolling Motor

use the removable mast, it's all covered here
http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=27;gtid=1239767

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Navigation Light int the way of Bow Mounted Trolling Motor

As I remember "rules of the road" nothing says where your nav light mounts. What is said is where it has to be visable......like from 0 degrees to so many "points (of the compass) to the side....like "15 points abaft the port or starboard beam" for example...don't remember the numbers.

Ships have the nav lights mounted on the wheelhouse, one on each side of the ship, as do some of the larger cabin boats.

And like tas said, get a removable plug-in with the appropriate length shaft and you're all set. Agree, T motors usually mount to the side of the boats centerline and when the motor is in the water, it is on the other side. My Ranger had the light mounted behind the T motor and the shaft was long enough for unobstructed vision, and being removable I never used it.....didn't fish at night, so it was never in the way....but it was onboard for inspection if I got stopped.

iboats, Cabellas, or other marine supply should have exactly what you want for a light.

Mark

 

[drJ]

Re: Navigation Light int the way of Bow Mounted Trolling Motor

Would it affect my handling much if my trolling motor isn't mounted directly on the centerline.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Navigation Light int the way of Bow Mounted Trolling Motor

too far aft might get tricky, but a foot or two to one side or the other, not noticeable.