Help mounting trolling motor on aluminum hull

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.

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

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!

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

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.

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Originally Posted by zrdc28

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

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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

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.

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.

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

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.

Riv-nuts?

I had the same problem mounting something once. I solved it somewhat like Cane pole said . I cut an access hole in a storage compartment up front. Mounted unit with stainless steel hardware & nylon lock nuts. Then covered the hole with a piece of diamond plate aluminum from lowes. Hope that helps.

fishinhunter,I had the same problem,you mentioned some stainless toggles you used before.I bought some at West Marine,they work great and they are strong to I will try to find them on website and let you know.

There called Fasco Fastener,they sale them at west.I used them on a 80LB Terrova and they have not came loose yet.Check them out.

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Originally Posted by striperking

There called Fasco Fastener,they sale them at west.I used them on a 80LB Terrova and they have not came loose yet.Check them out.

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Thanks!

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Originally Posted by striperking

There called Fasco Fastener,they sale them at west.I used them on a 80LB Terrova and they have not came loose yet.Check them out.

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Striperking...you are THE MAN!!!! They had those things at Lowes and let me tell you...they saved me hours of headaches. I had all four installed in less than 10 minutes. They snugged up tight and that trolling motor is SOLID. That is a miracle product...I hope those guys get filthy rich selling it.

You just saved my fishing trip.:Hands Clapping

The toggle bolts are the way to go. I used the "Snap Toggle" bolts to remount my trolling motor cause the mounting devices Xpress used were junk in my opinion. There were constantly working loose. Installing toggle bolts solved all issues.

Pm Big River Marine he is a excel dealer and a good guy he will help ya out. He stays on the Arkanas and Mississippi boards

Are these it? http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/21700...ll/22811_F.JPG

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Originally Posted by Big H trucking

Pm Big River Marine he is a excel dealer and a good guy he will help ya out. He stays on the Arkanas and Mississippi boards

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yep...he's the guy I bought the boat from. Good guy.

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Originally Posted by the wonder

Are these it? http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/21700...ll/22811_F.JPG

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That's not it...check it out on youtube...nice demonstration:

SNAPTOGGLE Toggle Bolts - YouTube

On this one there is no pin to break...the screw goes straight into a solid piece of metal. Pretty ingenious design. I already had 1/2 inch holes drilled from trying the failed "isolator bolts" so it was a snap.

wow. that is some cool stuff :)

What about this: http://www.electronicfasteners.com/p...08_CATALOG.pdf

Fishnhunter thanks for the Info. I have a few project I can use those on. One for sure, is on my 10ft plastic bass raider, to mount some rod holders. awesome invention!