Steering Trolling motor with main steering wheel?

[TerryMSU]

Hello:
I have an older boat with a 35HP Johnson on it. I would like to use the steering wheel to control BOTH the Johnson and a spare tiller controlled trolling motor that I just happen to have laying around. Is it do-able? How?
The steering on the motor is the standard push rod type not the old fashioned clothesline type.
Thanks,
Terry

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Steering Trolling motor with main steering wheel?

You might be able to adapt something like this: http://www.iboats.com/Kicker_Motor_...58106398--list_time.1188482622--view_id.37928

 

[jtexas]

Re: Steering Trolling motor with main steering wheel?

have you thought about fastening the kicker straight ahead, and using the main engine as a rudder?

 

[burroak]

Re: Steering Trolling motor with main steering wheel?

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x54/burroak1/DSCN0004.jpg

This is my approach. I'm sure you can find attachment points on the fronts or backs of the motor that line up enough too make a connection. I haven't cut the angle on the adapter plates and made the final bends to align the pivot points yet. The couplers are old style lawn tractor steering ball joints. These have the feature which allows for removing the socket from the ball. The newer ones are sealed units. Independent small engine repair shops tend to have a graveyard to pick through. The connecting rod is just stock aluminum rod. When cutting the threads on either end, just take it slow, making 1-1 1/2 turns-reversing the die to clear it, because the aluminum tends to gall and imperfect threads are the result.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Steering Trolling motor with main steering wheel?

Looks good burroak!

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: Steering Trolling motor with main steering wheel?

It is definately do able when I purchased my boat it had a trolling motor bracket minus the motor. So I didn't think much about it after cleaning everything out of the boat I found a " z rod " down in the hold and couldn't figure out what it was for. I called the PO and he told me it was to attach to a trolling motor and steer with the wheel. As soon as he said that it made perfect sence. My main motor 200hp has a ball attached to the back under side of the cowl as does the trolling motor then you connect the Z bar between them and your ready to go the ends are spring loaded recievers that simply snap on to each ball when needed even though my main motor is down it helps to rudder and turn better. I troll with it all the time and it works great you do have to set your trolling speed at the motor but after that your good to go. I don't know who makes it there isn't any info on it but the PO called it a Z-bar setup. if that helps good luck

 

[iwombat]

Re: Steering Trolling motor with main steering wheel?

There's various commercial products available to couple the two motors together. E-Z steer comes to mind as one.


Here's one right here on iboats

http://iboats.com/Kicker_Motor_Stee...39436548--list_time.1188514181--view_id.37928

 

[new_boater]

Re: Steering Trolling motor with main steering wheel?

ok that makes sense but how do you control speed of second motor??????????

 

[HONKER1]

Re: Steering Trolling motor with main steering wheel?

Go back and look at the picture of Burroak's boat. Note the throttle & shift cables going to the kicker motor. From looking close to the starboard side at about the rear of the back to back seats you will see the controls.
Also in the Cabela's marine catalog there is Digital trollmaster for small engine throttle control. I think you will find it on the same page as the EZ Steer or connector rods. I think Panther also makes a throttle control.
I hope this helps and good luck.

 

[slader99]

Re: Steering Trolling motor with main steering wheel?

Sorry to resurrect this thread from the dead but it seemed like the best way to answer my question.

I've seen alot of boats with a secondary steering station near the rear starboard side of the boat. Not always on larger boats (i.e. some 17-19 footers that have a hard top) Seems like it would be a great for trolling even if you weren't able to control the throttle....

In the picture it looks like the trolling motor is tied to the main with an easy steer type device and that there are throttle controls running from the kicker to the rear startboard side (beside the sleeper seat). How is steering accompoished from this rear station? Is there a seperate steering cable and wheel or is there someway to tap into a single steering cable at any given point?

Cheers,

Colin