bow mounted motor on fish/ski boat

[KRS]

I would like to improve the versatility of my boat, and add an electric trolling motor for fishing covers and stream inlets for local (Arizona) lakes.<br /><br />I shopped around and the transom mount motors are MUCH cheaper than bow mounts.<br /><br />I don't have a fishing "chair" in the front and probably won't be able to control the motor via foot control.<br /><br />So.. due to the cost and control issue, a typical bow motor won't fit my needs.<br /><br />I can't find any bow mounts that are hand controlled, only transom mounts. I wonder if anyone knows of a way to make a transom mount work at the front of the boat (mounting and handle direction).<br /><br />Typical ski/fish boat from the late 80's...<br /><br />

 

[KRS]

Re: bow mounted motor on fish/ski boat

Ignore the welding info, I already fixed that rusty thing in the picture

 

[Silvertip]

Re: bow mounted motor on fish/ski boat

There MotorGuide and MinnKota both make hand controlled bow mounts. For your application, you might be interested in a MinnKota Power Drive with a corded foot pedal or add the corded or wireless "co-pilot" feature. Any of these will allow you to operate the motor anywhere in the boat.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: bow mounted motor on fish/ski boat

One more thing, trolling motors are far more effective when pulling the boat around rather than pushing it, especially in a wind.

 

[KRS]

Re: bow mounted motor on fish/ski boat

upinsmoke, I didn't know that! I will check the motorguide and minnkota lines.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: bow mounted motor on fish/ski boat

Check into the trolling motors made for pontoon boats. They have a longer shaft for bow mounting...

 

[mitchell6]

Re: bow mounted motor on fish/ski boat

minn kota as a nice bow mount that is hand controled the last time i priced one that's the one i was looking at around $250.00

 

[KRS]

Re: bow mounted motor on fish/ski boat

$250 seems like a lot for a hand controlled, it seems that the transom mounts are only $120-ish.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: bow mounted motor on fish/ski boat

You don't get a sissor mount with the stern mount. How would you mount it on the bow without screwing a 2x4 into a nice looking boat. Most of the better bow mounts also have Maximizer (digital circuitry) which provides far better run time than the cheaper motors.