Trolling motor for open bow??

R

RCSConstruction

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 23, 2007
Messages
549
I need help getting a trolling motor for my runabout.
I know what shaft size but am clueless as to the mounting.
I do not have a flat/level area in the bow and I most definitely want a foot/bow mount.
Are there special adapters for the angle I am dealing with?
Are there special adapters that will allow me to easily take the trolling motor off?
Thanks for any insight.

Here's the best pic I have, you can kinda see that the edge is rounded, not flat.

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Silvertip

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Trolling motor for open bow??

You only have one issue -- that being creating a flat surface that when the motor is mounted, allows the mounting plate to be parallel to the water. Fortunately that problem is easy to fix. Head to Lowes or your local hardware store and buy four long plastic spacers (1-1/2 inches should work). You will find them in the cabinets with lots of drawers. Ace Hardware is good source as well. You then stop at your local sporting goods store and buy a MinnKota Quick Release plate. This amounts to two interlocking plates that slide together. One plate bolts to the motor, the other to the boat. The four spacers are cut and shaped so when the mounting plate is placed on them the plate is level. Run the bolts through the plate, the spacers, and put fender washers and nylon insert nuts on the back. Bolt the other half of the quick release plate to the motor and you're done. Slide the motor on when you want and remove it for storage or travel.
 
M

malfar

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Nov 13, 2004
Messages
37
Re: Trolling motor for open bow??

I'll try to take a pic tomorrow, I just did this on my glass starcraft. Pretty much the same shape as yours. i bought the newer detachable mount from Minn Kotta - the pvc one. I got about a foot of 11/4 inch pvc dowel from the plastic shop and then made legs that were contoured to the shape of the hull. I then bolted the puck through these legs with stainless bolts and put wooden blocks were fitted to the inside of the hull under the washers and nuts. I made rubber washers to fit between the legs and the hull. I had to remove the front seat back cushion and cut a hole behind it so that I could get my arm in there. Took a lot of careful fitting, but looks good and when the motor isn't on the boat - all that is there is a small black pad measuring about 4x6 inches. My boat still looks real clean. I put a tolling plug alongside the seat cushion and ran the wires back under the front dash on the passenger side. When we go fishing I just stick the battery there under the dash. Takes up a bit of footroom , but nothing seirous.
 
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