mount trolling motor directly to transom?

[catfighter]

So I have a trolling motor that requires that I drill holes to bolt it on. I assume I bolt it onto the transom of my 14' fiberglass skiff. Is this wrong? Is there something I clamp to the transom to mount this thing properly?

I'm getting an outboard as well, but want to use both a stern-mounted troller and an outboard, if possible. . . .

I'm new to boating, so any help is appreciated!

thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: mount trolling motor directly to transom?

What brand and model is this troller? I've never seen a small transom mount troller that you had to drill holes to mount. They normally have screw clamps just like small outboards. Slip it over the transom and tighten the clamp screws. Unless the transom clamp assembly is broken or missing, I see no need to bolt the motor to the transom. But then I've not seen every troller ever manufactured.

 

[emilime75]

Re: mount trolling motor directly to transom?

I've never seen a small transom mount troller that you had to drill holes to mount . I see no need to bolt the motor to the transom.

Unless the transom isn't wide enough for both the troller and the outboard??? I'm thinking you'd only need to bolt it on is if there wasn't enough room to clamp it.

 

[catfighter]

Re: mount trolling motor directly to transom?

I understand that most trollers have a clamp. This one (my dad bought it used) has a plate with holes in it, as though you would drills holes in the transom and bolt it on.

It's probably why the guy was selling it.

Sorry, don't have pictures or brand. I'll try to get that information to you guys.

Unless the transom isn't wide enough for both the troller and the outboard??? I'm thinking you'd only need to bolt it on is if there wasn't enough room to clamp it.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: mount trolling motor directly to transom?

Does the plate look like a factory manufactured piece or something someone cobbled up in their garage? Only pictures or a make and model are any help here. We can't see your motor.

 

[catfighter]

Re: mount trolling motor directly to transom?

Here are pictures. I think it's mounted horizontally now that I look at it.

Is there a way to just mount this thing with a clamp so I can put it on the transom??

 

[Silvertip]

Re: mount trolling motor directly to transom?

I hate to break this news to you but you have a bow mount trolling motor -- not a transom mount. See how quickly this gets resolved with pictures?

 

[catfighter]

Re: mount trolling motor directly to transom?

yeah, i figured that out after I looked at it for 30 seconds.

Still not a big deal, really, but can you change the bracket to make it a transom-mount or does it not work that way?

I hate to break this news to you but you have a bow mount trolling motor -- not a transom mount. See how quickly this gets resolved with pictures?

 

[dlngr]

Re: mount trolling motor directly to transom?

Mount it on the bow like it's supposed to be,and it'll work 100% better .

 

[Silvertip]

Re: mount trolling motor directly to transom?

Certainly you can mount it on the back of the boat. Fashion a horizontal mounting (like a stout "L" bracket and bolt it to that. Now the only issue you have is that the cables enter the motor in the normal manner so when you power the unit you will be trolling backwards -- not forward. So the next step would be to remove the head and rotate the motor shaft 180 degrees. This is simple to do on a tiller steered motor but I've not attempted it on a cable steered motor so that you will have to look at. But as was mentioned, why not mount it on the bow and have a system that actually works as it was designed. Trollers are far more efficient in that configuration.

 

[catfighter]

Re: mount trolling motor directly to transom?

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the help!

I was planning on building a platform on the front of my boat anyway, so I'll just mount it properly to the platform.

Now to find a good used outboard . . .