Thread: Input on choppin-up a TM

Originally Posted by SeaRay

Neon, I bought a sneak boat from a local mom and pop place here that had a similar motor set up on it, They bought the TM from Motorguide without the top handle and controls. they ran the wire to a speed controll on the side of the seat base and an on/off button on the foot pedal. You might could check with MG to see if you could buy one like that.

Sure is a nice boat SeaRay! I'd just about bet buying that motor would be a similar price to the one I'd posted. I'm hoping to to do it myself much cheaper. After thinking about it, I'd almost bet I could just remove the head, and extend the wiring, then mount the factory head on a piece of conduit, or perhaps just re-mount the innards is an rain-tight electrical box (which ever fit the space best).

Originally Posted by cray

Why not build a cross boat mount for behind seat that you could also mount rod holders to and take hand control motor Minkota, shorten shaft and mount it right beside you. I know nothing about how a Yak handles so don't know if feasible. I have seen a cross hul mount like that for canoes.

Many mount them along the side cray (like on a Canoe), and they make brackets (which are an easy DIY), I'd like to have it centered just to be a bit easier to control (plus I like to hack stuff )

Originally Posted by CatFan

Get in touch with John Jones at Jonestrollingmotor.com He's an ASC for MK and MG and I imagine he could give you some good advice.

Don't know what your route is, but he's in Texarkana if you are heading west.

I'm thinking the method I posted to SeaRay would work fine, don't know why I didn't think of it earlier. Basically just cutting things apart, and separating them with additional wiring.

Originally Posted by Cane Pole

Have you thought about electric steering? 2 buttons in a box.

I'd thought about starting with a foot-controlled, but with starting out with the initial cost of a new Kayak, I'd really be needing to watch costs (since adding the TM would just be one of the modifications I want to make). A new transom mount #30 MK is cheap. The mount re-work and steering cable set-up would be minimal, then the only other expense would be wire and a plug-in disconnect neat the motor). I'm thinking I could do all that for less than $250, less than half the cost of the kit. Plus, I'm kinda the KISS method believer, less parts means less to fail.....and many here know how my luck runs

ETA: In addition, either foot or hand steering would lessen battery drain.