Mounting trolling motor problem

[badbrad]

I've encountered a problem installing a Minn Kota Terrova to the front of my boat. I have a Terrova 80, 54" shaft with Auto-piolot and am trying to put it on the front of a 18' Bumble Bee bass boat. Due to the design of my boat, when you place the motor on the front, the head of the motor hangs way over the side of the boat. (the nose of my boat is molded to allow for a front flasher, temp gauge and switches for trim, lights etc...) I got a 54" shaft, because I didn't think they made the 24 volt system with a shorter shaft.

I'm inquiring about returning the motor in exchange for a 45" shaft, but learned they only offer a 45" shaft with AP, 80lb thrust, 24 volt with the Universal Sonar feature. I'm not really crazy about the Universal Sonar feature.

I was wondering if anyone else who has mounted one of these motor's to a bass boat could help me out. Short of building some kind of base and adding to the front of the boat, I'm not seeing how a 54" shaft will work.

[badbrad]

Well judging from no responses, I guess no one has encountered the same problem. I have ordered a 45" shaft, so hopefully that will correct things.

[MThook]

Send a picture so we can see what the problem is. I've got a MinKota AP mounted on a Stratos no problem.

[Charger]

I just mounted a 54" Powerdrive on my Skeeter today. I did make an adapter plate out of 1/4" aluminum so I wouldnt have to drill new mounting holes in my boat.

[badbrad]

Chager, is there any way you can send me a pic of the base you had made. I'll run by my boat later (keep it over at a friends pole barn) and get a picture to post, so you guys can see what I'm talking about. Thanks.

[Charger]

Here you go.









As you can see, I made it longer to reach the back mounting holes so I didnt have to drill new holes and so I can change out trolling motors. You can see I have the quick disconnect on the MK, but it is not necessary, just mount your tm directly to the plate you will make.

[badbrad]

Appreciate the pic's Charger, like your idea. You'll see what I'm talking about with mine when I post he pic's. The design and nose of my boat is given me a problem. I'll post pic's tomorrow.

[badbrad]

Here's some pictures of my boat. Hopefully you can tell from the pictures with the design of the front of the boat, the angle the TM has to be mounted places the head of the motor well over the side of the boat. Having the shorter shaft will improve this, but there is really only one position the motor can be mounted without improvising some way with a new base. My old motor when stowed was rested right in line with the side of the boat.





Bradsdeer001.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

[badbrad]

[Cane Pole]

I did the same thing as Charger, but I repositioned the quick disconnect plate to allow the head of the TM to get inside the boat.

The hole patterns on the tracker was for a motor guide. I made a plate and drilled the plate to fit the motor guide holes. Then I put the Minnkota on the plate and shifted it around to allow the head inside. Then I drilled and tapped the plate then screwed the quick disconnect to the plate. If you look closely, you can tell the TM is "cocked" with respect to the plate mounted to the boat.


You can see the back 2 screws on the mounting plate are some what displaced too and the plate hangs over the bow to allow tm clearance when deployed.

Hope this helps.