Help mounting trolling motor on aluminum hull

[fishinhunter]

I've got an Excel aluminum hull boat. I bought a new trolling motor the other day and I'm having some trouble getting it mounted. I can't reach the underside of the hull where the bolts come in...it's never gonna happen. So I bought some isolator bolts from BPS. They turned out to be worthless. I had to tighten them no less than 5 times in the first 48 hours, then they broke after the first trip to the lake.

Now I'm thinking of either using the Minn Kota Quick Nuts (MCR-8) or having a welder put an aluminum stand on the boat that I can mount the trolling motor to (this will allow me to use real nuts and bolts). The old motor had some type of bolt anchor and it worked really well...but I don't know what type they were so I can't replace them.

Any thoughts are welcome...I need to be on the lake all week next week and I really need this trolling motor to be ready.

["G"]

I reached mine but it was tough.....but I used stainless steel bolts with lock nuts and big flat washers.

[fishinhunter]

Man I tried and tried. I even duct taped a ratchet to the end of my floor jack handle...still couldn't get it done!

[zrdc28]

Can you not use toggle bolts, that way you do not have to reach under there and hold anything?

[fishinhunter]

Toggle bolts didnt appear to be strong enough...i could be wrong...but this is a heavy piece of gear that sees a lot of stress...and its pretty expensive to replace.

[vic n]

Can you not use toggle bolts, that way you do not have to reach under there and hold anything?

I like that idea, especially if you can find some good heavy (5/16"-3/8"), even stainless ones. It would require a bigger hole in the boat, but they should solve the problem of getting nuts on. :Hands Clapping

[WE16]

If you can see the ends of the bolts.

I have put on a lot of nuts and washers that I could not reach installing two-way equipment.
I use a wrench taped to an rod
Then I use weather proofing (black sticky stuff) to hold the the nut and the washer in/on the wrench.
Bubble gum would work
Reach in and position the nut and screw the bolt from the outside.

[SIMPLEMAN]

had the same problem. ran the bolts through from the bottom instead, after making an extended handle for the ratchet. put a little electrical tape in the socket to hold bolt snug. just had to cut the bolts off after tightning.

[Cane Pole]

I just cut a big round hole so I can get to things. Deck plates to cover the hole. I have a couple on my War Eagle. Don't know why folks don't use these things. Makes life much simpler.

Something like this.

Snap-in Deck Plate For Vent

[jimp]

I've seen some good size toggle bolts at HD/Lowes in my numerous trips gettting that one item I forgot, or looking for that replacement for the one I broke.