Quick Release Trolling Motor

[Tony T.]

I been wanting to rig up a trolling motor for the bow on my 95 Suntracker Fishin Barge. The barge came with a 45lb thrust Motorguide foot control, but of course it's not working. I'm not really interested in fixing it because the way the foot control model is mounted, it's right in the way of the front gate. I had in mind using a tiller steer (hand steer) model and fabricating some sort of a quick connect/dis-connect bracket for the bow. Any ideas or already done on that, pics would be a help if you have done this.

One of my main concerns is having the trolling motor as a back-up in case the big motor has problems on the water, been there done that with other boats I've owned. Also I was planning on using it in the coves for troll fishing, looking at around a 50 to 55 lb thrust, and the tiller style trolling motors are a bit cheaper price wise.

Tony

 

[5150abf]

Re: Quick Release Trolling Motor

If you got a transom mont one you could make a mount pretty easy, they clamp on/off so you would only need a pair of 2x6 at 90 degrees with some gussests on the corners, never done it so I don't have a picture but it seems pretty easy.

 

[Todd4]

Re: Quick Release Trolling Motor

Minn Kota (and I'm sure others) make a quick release trolling motor bracket that can be locked. Basically, a center rectangular plastic plate (3/4" thick) remains bolted to the floor, then a 3/4" thick rectangular plastic 'doughnut' remains bolted to the trolling motor and slips down around the floor plate. Pins (in a locking handle) hold the two together. It works well. Google "Minn Kota Quick Release Bracket" (I can't post pics). They're kind of pricey, but it may give you ideas on something you can make yourself.

 

[BOWMAKER1]

Re: Quick Release Trolling Motor

I have a Minn Kota Power Drive trolling motor that I mounted on the front. It is the pontoon model that comes with a separate mounting base plate that screws to the deck and another plate on the motor that slides into it. The power drive comes with a electric foot peddle with an 18 ft cord that you can use from any where in the boat or you can get a hand held remote to operate it wireless. The only problem at all is that I have to leave the front gate open when I have it in place or am using it, but I have seen modifications that remove part of the gate to accommodate the motor. When it is not needed or wanted I can just slide it out of the bracket and set it off to the side of the deck. You can get the Minn Kota as a 55lb thrust motor that is 12 volts or go on up to a 68lb one that is 24 volt, I opted for the 24 volt one. I use mine quite a bit for controlled drifting or actually trolling while fishing for walleyes, catfish, and crappies because my 125 Mercury doesn't want to idle down to 1 mph. I also use it to work a shore line for bass fishing, and it provides plenty of power to move the boat and will last all day and would get me back to the boat ramp in case of a motor failure.
If you are going to do this spend a little more and get it right the first time and you will be happier in the long run. I used to try to cobble some things in the past to save some money until I figured out that by the time I was really satisfied and things were working properly I almost always spent more money and time and aggravation that I would have if I had just done the right thing first thing!!

 

[Tony T.]

Re: Quick Release Trolling Motor

Thanks guys for the ideas and suggestions, I'm probably going with something like 5150abf mentioned, I want the bracket to be sound and solid and quick release. Quick release as maybe pulling a pin or something and the bracket is free from the bow and out of the way. I'm probably going to have to put the thinking cap on this one. Using a transom mount style trolling motor was what I was looking at. Under $300.00

 

[SEMPERFI8387]

Re: Quick Release Trolling Motor

Thanks guys for the ideas and suggestions, I'm probably going with something like 5150abf mentioned, I want the bracket to be sound and solid and quick release. Quick release as maybe pulling a pin or something and the bracket is free from the bow and out of the way. I'm probably going to have to put the thinking cap on this one. Using a transom mount style trolling motor was what I was looking at. Under $300.00

Just buy this http://redsgear.store.buy.com/p/minn-kota-quick-release-bracket-mka-16-02/202921637.html
and do the 5150abf 2x6 bracket, and your good to go with any motor and you can remove easily .....

 

[newbie4life]

Re: Quick Release Trolling Motor

Wish I had my old phone. I did just this and took pictures of it -- I think I'm gonna be at the pontoon tonight and could possibly take a picture and stick it on here.

I think I ended up ripping two 2x4's down to fit into the jaw of the clamp, and it seems like I had enough room for a 1/2" piece of plywood. Kept it as low to the pontoon as possible to not have much in the way of tipping when the trolling motor is underway. I drilled 4 holes though the wood and the deck where it's mounted and ran carriage bolts through it, on the underside, used wing nuts. That way, I could remove it if I wanted to... I haven't yet, I just leave it on (and usually the trolling motor stays on with it). Anyway, ran the bolts through it, then carpeted over the entire thing with some indoor outdoor carpet (matches the pontoon floor). Looks good, incredibly strong.

I then put in two seperate plug ins for the trolling motor. With two sets of batteries, I'm able to swap easily from one set of batteries to the other.

 

[Tony T.]

Re: Quick Release Trolling Motor

Wish I had my old phone. I did just this and took pictures of it -- I think I'm gonna be at the pontoon tonight and could possibly take a picture and stick it on here.

I think I ended up ripping two 2x4's down to fit into the jaw of the clamp, and it seems like I had enough room for a 1/2" piece of plywood. Kept it as low to the pontoon as possible to not have much in the way of tipping when the trolling motor is underway. I drilled 4 holes though the wood and the deck where it's mounted and ran carriage bolts through it, on the underside, used wing nuts. That way, I could remove it if I wanted to... I haven't yet, I just leave it on (and usually the trolling motor stays on with it). Anyway, ran the bolts through it, then carpeted over the entire thing with some indoor outdoor carpet (matches the pontoon floor). Looks good, incredibly strong.

I then put in two seperate plug ins for the trolling motor. With two sets of batteries, I'm able to swap easily from one set of batteries to the other.

A pic would be great newbie.

Tony

 

[newbie4life]

Re: Quick Release Trolling Motor

Sorry, Tony. I was at the camper this weekend, and forgot all about it. I will take one and get it to you asap.

 

[newbie4life]

Re: Quick Release Trolling Motor