Input on choppin-up a TM

Let me start by saying this is something I'm kicking-around for a Kayak, but am sure I'd get a better response here (since it is a TM topic). I'm considering an upgrade purchase of a new Kayak next year, and thought if I'm going to "upgrade", I may as well go big (with add-ons), a TM being one of them.

There's a kit available, which is based on a #30 MinnKota TM, which is a bolt-on for a Kayak. I'm thinking of making my own (since the kit is $500, and I can get a new TM for probably just over $100), and am looking for some input from those of you who've had them apart.

Here's a pic of the bulk of the kit:
Attachment 107621

The majority of my interest for posting here is what's required (just a general idea) to make the controls, being on/off and speed selection, a remote mount (say 7' from the motor). Steering is controlled by foot pedals and cables (though stick-steer has crossed my mind), and the motor mounting would need some work, those aren't a problem.

Anybody got an idea what it would take to relocate the electrical controls, or even suggestions on electrical control part selection to do the job?

Thanks!

Attachment 107626
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.

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.

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.

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

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Originally Posted by SeaRay

Attachment 107626
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.

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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).

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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.

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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 :Rofl)

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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.

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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.

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Originally Posted by Cane Pole

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

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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 :Doh::Rofl

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

I think I've found enough info to give me the impression it shouldn't be too tough a job. Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Cane Pole

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

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Exactly! Pick up a used Powerdrive motor, cut down the shaft to the length you need, put it on a slide bracket so it's removable. If you don't want to use the foot pedal in your lap, buy the co-pilot for it. No monkeying with steering cables or steering and speed controls.

I made one years ago ,I took the top cover off ,disconect wires ,push them down in shalf ,then cut shalf off ,took control off of top and add wires the length I wanted and found a small box to put switch in and mounted to side of boat. I then took a piece of metal on one side of shalf of TM and another piece on other side of shalf and took a screw on each side of shalf in the 2 pieces of metal and tighten them ,I than put a hole at each end of the metal and attacl my foot control close line cable to each side and to the left and right foot petal. I also had to use some roller guides to line the pedals up. Its not that hard and rewarding to do it like you want

just get a terrova w/ IP and be done with it. Better be sure of your electrical connections in a yak, as you ain't got no where to go but swimming with a electrical short/fire in a yak. Hmmmm, goes from stump jumpin' to TM hackin' in a week or so.

What's that sayin' in the south? Oh yeah, "Here, hold my beer". Oh, Oh, how about "Watch this" :yikes

Didn't want to spend the extra money (or buy used), a $100 TM will be fine for me, if I ain't gotta paddle, I can steer easy enough.

Since the kayak deal fell through, kind of a moot point for now anyway, but thanks again for all the help.