what's the best bowmount TM for a 21ft. weekender

[heatz1express]

Having an OMC 800 series outdrive means when it gets shallow I have to shut down and hit the trailering/outdrive-up switch quick before my skeg and prop hit bottom. The selec-trim does little to help avoid the crunch of prop on rock!<br />What I need is a bowmount TM that I can easily deploy and operate from the helm, with sufficient thrust to move my 21 ft Peterborough w/cuddy. It is unnerving turning the engine off to raise the outdrive and leaving myself at the mercy of wind and wave!<br />I do lots of fishing and I'm sure a TM would be great for this but the main reason I need something is for getting in and out of the river I live on and use to access Lake Simcoe and beyond. The mouth of the river fills in with sand from the lake and becomes to shallow for my outdrive. This Fall I came in a few times on full plane to avoid hitting bottom but this presents its own dangers as there are other boats, jetskiers and shore fishermen to contend with. A close call with two full out pwc's got me to thinking there must be a better,safer way!<br />All comments are welcome and appreciated.

 

[Boatist]

Re: what's the best bowmount TM for a 21ft. weekender

Put the select trim in full bow up postion. Idle in and raise outdrive just enough to clear the bar. Just idle only and it will be fine. I done this with my 400 series backing into shore since I had it in 1980.<br /> <br />Do not raise it so high you do not get water intake to the water pump.

 

[heatz1express]

Re: what's the best bowmount TM for a 21ft. weekender

Thank's Boatist! I have done this on occassion but what I guess I'm looking for are options to this. TM on the bow seems like a possibility, I just don't know if it would have enough thrust to be worth it.

 

[Boatist]

Re: what's the best bowmount TM for a 21ft. weekender

Depending on the height of your front deck you should be able to get a trolling motor that will do the Job. Measure from you front deck to the water then add 2 feet. That should get you a shaft length. Ok to go longer but do not try to go shorter.<br /><br />Another option is to install a Kicker motor as I have done. This will get you over that sandbar and give you another way to get back in should you have a problem with the main motor or electrical systems. My boat is 21 foot runabout and I have a 15 HP Johnson outboard on a lift bracket. It will run in any water deep enough for the hull. 15 HP is plenty of power for trolling, usually just over idle but when the wind picks up with big waves offshore 20 or 25 would be better.<br />My boat is Aluminum so the front is very light and wind always wants to turn me downwind. Trying to turn into the wind and the 8 foot swells at half power barely makes it. Top speed with a 4 blade high thrust prop is 5 plus but again wind and swells make a big difference.

 

[heatz1express]

Re: what's the best bowmount TM for a 21ft. weekender

Thanks again Boatist. The kicker motor is a real option and I expect once I get a bracket for the swim platform made, I'll have something for emergencies.(something lightweight)<br /><br />What I would really like to do is completly fabricate an electric "thruster" or trolling motor for the bow. A leafblower and a power converter!!! I don't know, that is why I'm posting here at iboats.

 

[Boatist]

Re: what's the best bowmount TM for a 21ft. weekender

There are Kicker motor brackets made for swim platforms and most work good in calm waters, but in rough waters like the Pacific Ocean they do not usually work very well. When you have steep swells and following seas 6 feet or more motors mounted 2 feet behind the transom will usually go complete under the water then the prop come out of the water. 20 inch shaft length a must and 25 inches is better. In this condition can only run low power as when prop comes out of the water motor will rev very high and when the prop drops back in it will break the flywheel sheer pin on a lot of motors. If you can mount closer to the transom that is beter.<br /><br />I do not under stand the leaf bolwer and power converter. Bow mounted trolling motors work well and you can get with auto pilot and remote control. Only reason I have not done this is on my boat hard to get up front to lower the trolling motor. Check out the boat shows and I am sure you can find someone to set up just like you want it.<br />Good Luck

 

[heatz1express]

Re: what's the best bowmount TM for a 21ft. weekender

re: leafblower and converter.<br /> Like a portable, air-cooled jet-drive...stick it in the water and blow!!!

 

[heatz1express]

Re: what's the best bowmount TM for a 21ft. weekender

your in some pretty nasty stuff with that 21 foot aluminum of yours Boatist. When waves get that big here at home I head in or don't go out at all! Your right on the money with regards to the kicker and the swim platform- not ideal.

 

[Boatist]

Re: what's the best bowmount TM for a 21ft. weekender

Our boat is 21 feet but has a closed bow Walk thru winshield and a top.<br /><br />One must know there limitation and respect the ocean. Our limit is Over 8 feet or less than 8 seconds apart and we do not Launch or go out. Been out twice at 9 feet every 6 seconds and it was safe but no fun. Came in early both times. If it is a confused sea then limit about 5 feet.<br /><br />We have been going every year since 1980 and do not take any chances. Good thing is we have a wave rider buoy (46013) 12 miles offshore so get good Wave, Sea and Wind conditions data. Also Swells come out of 240 degrees nearly every day in summer. also if at 8 AM the seas 6 feet every 9 seconds and the wind are already 30 knots with higher gust we do not usually go out as seas will build. Winds usually peak every day at about 16:00. If seas are marginal and the Fog is 1/8 mile or less we delay our launch until visibilty becomes better.<br /><br />I been out in seas 8 foot every 15 seconds many times in the fall and that is very fun and very safe. Usually when a big storm is 50 miles or more off shore.<br /><br />When we go we usally stay 7 days and there was one trip where we never went out in the open ocean and only fished the Bodega Bay outer harbor. Wind that trip were over 40 knots the entire week and just being out on the water was very unplesent. Worst trip ever.