Trolling motor for Key West 1720CC

[Meinbeast]

My dad and I are looking at getting a trolling motor for our 2009 Keywest 1720. We are most likely going to do it ourselves and we are leaning towards a Minn Kota 55lb thrust with 52" shaft. Has anyone installed a trolling motor on this particular model? Also to install the trolling motor we need to cut a hole in the side of the anchor well and we are wondering if there is foam inbetween the hull and the anchor well. Any advice would be great, we are also emailing keywest to make sure its easy enough to do ourselves. Just want to make sure we are right before cutting a hole in the boat.

 

[jm_bullard]

Re: Trolling motor for Key West 1720CC

Is it not pre-wired for a trolling motor? On my 1999 KW 1720, I just had to mark and drill holes for the rubber trolling motor mounts. The deck is reinforced, and you should not need a backing plate. I have the exact trolling motor on mine, and have had no issues with the rubber mounts pulling up or becoming loose. The entire process took about 30 minutes, and I took my time and measured everything 3 times.

 

[Meinbeast]

Re: Trolling motor for Key West 1720CC

It is pre wired for a trolling motor. I dont know if the hull has changed since the 1999 model but the anchor well wall seems awfully close to the hull of the boat. Was wondering if there is foam inbetween them or something else we would have to be extra careful about. My dad is going to stop by a key west dealer tomorrow and double check. Glad to see that motor works good we should be getting it sometime soon!

 

[jm_bullard]

Re: Trolling motor for Key West 1720CC

Be sure to let us know how it works out. I had to offset my trolling motor at a bit of an angle, but I had no difficulty in missing the anchor well. Your boat is a decade newer, so there may have been design changes. If you use the rubber mounts, they will seal the holes when you install the bolts, so wet foam should not be an issue. Just let us know when you have it done.

 

[Horsepen]

Re: Trolling motor for Key West 1720CC

I'm not totally sure about your boat, but I accessed the under side of the bow deck by removing the port side running light. A kid/teen can get his hand in there and you don't have to disturb the anchor/rope box. I got so tired of fighting with them that I decided to make things easy and cut a round hole in the deck and mounted a 6" deck plate. I needed to be able to quickly remove the base in the event we had a play day planned. The port is mounted forward of the anchor locker box on the center line. No one even notices it there and it sure is a lifesaver. Note too, that I did not use the well nuts most people use. I used SS 1/4-20 panhead bolts with fender washers doubled or trippled on the under side and SS nylock locking nuts. It holds great with no under deck backing except the washers. Good luck.

 

[hi_c]

Re: Trolling motor for Key West 1720CC

First post and I have to revive this thread because I'm looking to install a trolling motor on my 1720cc. I agree with Horsepen about puttin nuts on the back side of the bolts through the port nav light.

Something that was not addressed in this thread is battery placement. Mine is a 2003 and is pre-wired, but the wires terminate in the battery box with the starting battery. Will 2 batteries fit in there? If so, does the boat ride unbalanced with that weight over there?

 

[jm_bullard]

Re: Trolling motor for Key West 1720CC

My wires terminated in the center console. There is no way I could fit 2 batteries in the battery well; that is where my oil tank is located. Maybe there is some slack in the wire, and you could pull it into the center console. Or splice additional wires to reach the console. I keep my trolling battery and my spare in the center console, so the weight balances out pretty well. Let us know how you work it out.

 

[hi_c]

Re: Trolling motor for Key West 1720CC

Well, I finished the install the last week of April. I was able to put the nuts on the through-bolts using the port navigation light, thereby not having to cut a hole in the anchor box. Actually, my buddy who is about 5'10" got his hand in there with a 4" crescent wrench. I turned the screw from up top and he held the nut. Worked out pretty good and it's a clean installation.

As for the battery, I put a group 27 deep cycle along with the group 24 starting battery both in the battery box on the stern. The setup in the box (for future readers) is my fuel/water separator along the transom, gr27 battery running parallel to the transom, then the gr24 battery perpendicular to the 27. Also, the circuit breaker is mounted above where the cables come out of the pipe. I even have room left over for 1 qt of spare oil.

The initial ride was fine. Couldn't tell a difference in balance. It's no worse than if you had one person sitting on the left side of the bow compartment. However, this past weekend I fished and had a full live-well. That extra weight with the new battery really caused bad stern-squat and the boat porpoised even on flat water and trimmed all the way in.

So I'm looking into a hydrofoil or smart tabs now. Any thought?