Mounting Bow trolling motor sideways?

[jburn25]

I recently picked up a used minn kota riptide SP for a great price. Came with wireless remote, wireless foot pedal, and quick release bracket. I'm siked about the trolling motor and can't wait to use it. Only problem is that its a good bit longer than my other trolling motor (which was too short for my boat) and if I were to mount it the standard way coming off the front of the bow, it would keep me from being able to open my only storage compartment when in the stowed position. In other words, the head and shaft would keep me from being able to open the lid of the compartment. I can mount the motor sideways across the bow, and it will be just about a perfect fit. I'm just wondering if anyone has any bad experience with a motor sticking off the side, like if it for some weird reason won't steer as well or whatever.

Thanks

 

[John_S]

Re: Mounting Bow trolling motor sideways?

I am not sure of what you mean by sideways, but mine is mounted such that it hangs to the outside of the boat. See: http://joefish.homestead.com/TM013.jpg

You do have to be careful when docking on that side. ie always dock on the other side.

 

[jburn25]

Re: Mounting Bow trolling motor sideways?

Thats basically what I'm talking about. I have a square bow in my aluminum boat and I'll be mounting the motor so that it is parallel with the front of the boat when stowed and it will deploy off the side of the boat.

 

[John_S]

Re: Mounting Bow trolling motor sideways?

OK, understand now. I don't have any experience with having one that far off the centerline of the boat.

 

[Cjalbert]

Re: Mounting Bow trolling motor sideways?

Jburn25,

I have mounted many of these diagonally to the front of a V hull, I read through the posting and wonder if you cant run the motor off of center of the boat because of the lid obstruction, why couldnt you run it diagonally, with the rear off the to the side, shaft still in the center of the bow, if your motor pulls from the side i think it may pull your boat the same way? good luck,

Chris

 

[jburn25]

Re: Mounting Bow trolling motor sideways?

Chris, thanks for the response. My front deck is about 5 feet long and half of it is comprised of this storage compartment. The actual deck is the lid of the compartment so I have to lift the whole deck on that 1/2 to open the compartment. The motor is a 54 inch shaft, so no matter how i position it (other than across the bow) its going to lay over the compartment lid. I'm wondering the same thing that you are though...will the motor pull the boat in some funny direction if its mounted off to the side?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Mounting Bow trolling motor sideways?

If the thrust line is significantly off center, with the motor straight ahead it will probably tend to turn toward the motor, should be easily compensated for by turning the motor slightly (trim it straight). The boat will probably turn better in one direction (toward the motor side) than the other. Neither of those would seem to present a big problem, especially with the remote. Just my opinion.

 

[jburn25]

Re: Mounting Bow trolling motor sideways?

I think you are right Terry, biggest issue would be the difference in "pushing" the front of the bow in one direction and "pulling" it on the other (motor) side. If thats my biggest problem, then it will probably be ok. Would be sweet to figure out some sort of swiveling base that would allow the motor to be deployed out the front of the bow, but stowed across the bow...hmm, think, think, think....