Mounting my trolling motor

[22E6441]

I'm posting this here becasue I need advice quickly, and my original post has been up in the trolling motor section for a few days with only 4 views and no replies.

I have a transom mount trolling motor that I want to mount on the stern somewhere. I need a bracket becasue there is no room on the transom beside my 50 hp motor.

The bracket I have needs the plate to be mounted horizontally, so instead of trying to mount in on my splash well which is angled and would be very difficult, I'm thinking of mounting it as far back on the gunwale as I can depending on where the cleat gives me room.

Does this sound OK? Is there a reason to NOT mount it there? It would certainly stow well, as it would rest directly over the gunwale instead of poking into the passenger area.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Mounting my trolling motor

Sounds like a good location for it as long as the shaft is long enough. Near the motor or far to the side like that will not make much difference in performance or handling assuming you leave you main engine in the water while running the troller (as a rudder).

Will you be able to steer it when mounted there?

 

[22E6441]

Re: Mounting my trolling motor

It won't be terribly comfortable to steer there, but I'll be able to.

A better location for steering would be if I mounted it on the splashwell, but I'd need to use a bunch of shims to try and get it level.

 

[Splat]

Re: Mounting my trolling motor

How about a few pics. It's the only way we can really get some ideas here.
Bill

 

[22E6441]

Re: Mounting my trolling motor

This is the best I have right now....

You can't really see the slope or contours of the splash well, but they would make mounting it there a chore.

My transducer is mounted on the starboard side, so the trolling motor will likely be going on the port side....again, either on the gunwale by the cleat or on the splash well.

 

[22E6441]

Re: Mounting my trolling motor

Here are some pictures of my new trolling motor and mount. I've mounted it, and it looks like it should work, but it's scary. The bracket bends, shakes, and shifts around while using the motor.

http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x175/pmaloney1974/New%20boat/

It's not too bad steering it from there though. the extensible handle makes it easy. The 40 lb motor moves my boat well enough too.

I'd made a new thread because I'm looking for ideas on how to make my own mount.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Mounting my trolling motor

I made a TM mount for my old I/O boat out of 2 pieces of 2x8 redwood, redwood because it wouldn't rot. Worked good until I forgot to put the TM up and powered off with it dragging in the water, breaking the somewhat weak redwood. Made another out of white oak and didn't have a problem again.

I had to use 2 pieces to clear the aluminum cap molding, short piece (about 10" long) mounted against the boat and longer piece (about 18-24" long) went up to Tmotor. It was bolted to the transom with 3 - 3/8" SS bolts. Looked something like this;

X |Tmotor mounts here
X |
X
X
X
X
XX |
XX | bolts to transom here
XX |
XX |


Kind of herky jerky, but it worked.

 

[Numlaar]

Re: Mounting my trolling motor

I've never seen a trolling motor mount quite like that before! Doesn't look very sturdy...

Here are a few options for you:

One option would be to simply buy a kicker motor mount and install it on the rear. However, I think This option would be kinda pricey, and a bit of overkill if you arent planning on ever adding a kicker to the boat...

Another option like you requested is to have a mount made. I have had trolling motor mounts made out of 1/4" aluminum that work well...

If you have the ability to thru bolt through the transom, here are two options for you for design that have worked for me in the past:

Option one looks similar to the design of the wood one shown above... it uses a basic plate with a higher "block" of aluminum that you mount the motor to, and tighten the screws on. You can either have it offset with the screw holes behind the "block" or you can have the mounting plate made larger so you have the block welded directly to the plate, choice is yours.

Option 2 basically lowers the size of the block, and moves it out further off the back, so you still have space to tighten the clamps.

You should be able to have either one made for less than 100 bucks (maybe less than 50). Just find a local metal fabrication shop and they should be able to whip something up for you. Its a lot sturdier than wood, looks nicer, and lasts longer. You can mount the plate wherever you like on the back, and have the horizontal mounting surface you're looking for.

Hope that helps!

(sorry for the crudeness of the drawings)

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: Mounting my trolling motor

I think you can use the plate mount sold here for mounting a trolling motor to
the bow of a boat. I have attached a pics of how I mounted mine to the bow.

Although it looks like just a piece of plate bent to 90 degrees, it is strong
steel and has reinforcement tabs in it for the bend. This is working fine for me,
although my motor heighth just makes it fully submerged. In waves, it is not
ideal because occasionally the prop will churn, but that is not often. In calm
water, works fine.

You would still need to combine this with another custom made mount to
adapt to how you want it mounted for where you want it to be. Good luck!