Re-Thinking my 184DC Champion Deck Layout

Back in June I fell out of this boat, the first time I ever fell out of a boat and it was due to trying to use a Hand Control trolling motor I had on hand. Also my Buds fish without a seat on the front deck something I have never done. I tried it but it's just not my cup of coffee.

Attachment 510985

The first delivery..........a new Fortrex Foot Control Trolling Motor. I have used a Cable Steer trolling motor for far too long for this dog to learn a new trick. Once when Ultrex trolling motors were brand new I bought one, electric steer, I hated it. One of the CDC members bought it and saved me from myself thinking too much. The trolling motor was "Hard Wired" when I bought this boat, I installed a HD Plug & Receptacle but this design is a problem so in the trash it went. I re-hard wired the TM supply power but am installing a dedicated Battery Switch to turn it on & off while the batteries are charging.

Attachment 510986Attachment 510987Attachment 510988Attachment 510989

I'm seeing Bon Temps today and plan on returning the extra long RAM 2-1/4 Ball size Arm as it is too long for me. He gave me one to try but I like my Machines on the deck. I really wanted a Maxium Trolling Motor but the one I wanted, a 45in shaft, is no longer made. The Fortrex has a Monster Mount. I rigged the MEGA Live Transducer on the Fortrex lower shaft as I have a MEGA 360 on the way for the Upper Shaft. I installed a new SS 7"x7" Threaded Seat Base, 6in Offset Threaded Seat Pin, and moved the back set to the front for now.

Attachment 510990

This boat didn't come with a Hot Foot so I'm remedying that too. I've received and am installing a new Hot Foot Pro Top Loader foot throttle like the one I installed in my Skeeter.

Attachment 510991Attachment 510992Attachment 510994

Mercury really knocked this one out of the park as you pull a pin and a "Rigging Door" opens from the side to access the Control Cable Connections. I went with U-Flex's premium Control Cables as they come with matching Blue outer jackets. Since the existing controls was upgraded on the last engine replacement Gen II cables was needed.

Attachment 510993

Once you remove the three screws retaining the Rigging Grommet access to this pin is right under it.

Attachment 510995Attachment 510996

This is a Flush Mercury Control so once the Control Handle is removed and the trim behind it 3 bolts are removed so the actual Control Box can be slid forward from behind the fiberglass to access the Control Cables themselves. I just cut the T&T wires so I can install a connector for ease of removal later. More later.

:popcorn

Oh, whet kind of offset seat post is that?

Attachment 511053Attachment 511054

The MEGA Live transducer is still on the TM shaft for now. The new TM has a foot control / cable steer.

Attachment 511055Attachment 511056

Since I like to fish with a Jig Pole in each hand jig fishing the Humminbird Head Unit was too high so the X-Long RAM Arm was swapped out for a Short Arm. This is why I really like to use RAM Mounts for Electronics.

Attachment 511053Attachment 511057

I went from no Seat on the front deck to a 7in x 7in Stainless Steel bronze bushing seat base Threaded - Threaded 6in offset Pin so when I lift the seat the pin remains - and added a folding Mid-Back matching seat. I feel at home now with the Bow rigged like every bass boat I have had before this one.

Just a moment...

This a good price for this seat post. I installed the new seat base in the location of the original seat but found it a bit tight to the Bow. Since I fish longer jig poles moving the seat back 6in using the offset pin works well.