Yet another trolling motor mounting question.

I got my new motor in yesterday, and plan to mount it early next week, and got a couple of questions.

Do you want the head of the trolling motor to be exactly centered of the boat when it is deployed? :confused:

Second question, how far forward should the mount be? It's a Minn Kota Edge. I set it on the boat, with an old towel over the bow, and was checking out where I wanted it. It seemed as though no matter where I put it, the prop was going to hit the boat every time it was deployed, and I don't want that.,:cool:

Any pointers are GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks Pstone

I've seen trolling motors mounted just about any place you can put them on the front,back side doesn't matter. Ideally in the center is right. As far as the prop hitting the boat, sounds like it needs to go down farther if it can.
just my .02$

this i a Minnkota powerdrive mounted on my old jon boat. It is mounted on the left side, and seems to create no problems. One reason for putting it on the left side was that on a steep ramp the motor base would hang http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q..._0455Small.jpgon the winch stand.http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q..._0454Small.jpg

I also had an old Motorguide mounted this way with no problems. The mount will have to hang off the bow some for the motor to deplow without problems. Your manual should have some helpful hints on mounting. By the way, you got a good motor there. Hope it serves you well.:)

This is the front of my boat, how would you guys mount it?

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...3/CARQZQSY.jpg

Pstone,
Is that the boat you fish at Grenada in?

The way we do it at the plant is mount it on the left (port) side in such a way to minimize overhang when motor is in the up position to lessen chances of it hanging docks, limbs, etc. On bolting it down, use 1/4 inch bolts, large washers, and lock nuts, Stainless if possible. If you don't have stainless, use what you can for now. Let me know and I will send you some stainless. Do you have a 40 amp breaker for the positive lead on your harness? If you need one of those, let me know. If you need a trolling harness and plug, I have one of those also that you can have. you'll need at least an 8 gage harness to keep from starving your motor for juice on HIGH. Let me know if I can help.

Stainless bolts for sure and maybe a thin sheet of rubber between trolling motor and boat. Offset it a little one way or the other.

in the stowed pos. motor should not extend past front of boat, if it is it will hit your boat trailer when launching. Bass pro has a retractable mounting kit that is fairley easy to install heres a pic.

Wezzer, That's the boat I won in the tournament. Still have the trusty 1436 w/ 15 hp evinrude on standby in case of an emergency though.:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 1weezer

Pstone,
Is that the boat you fish at Grenada in?

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Thanks for all of you guys help. I'm going to try to get some pics and post them of different positions and see what ya'll think.

my first time regards.

Ok, bare with me on the picture quality, my camera is about as bad as it gets.

Ok, for the shatf and head in the stowed position, would it be better like the 1st pic with the head directly over the side of the boat, or the second pic with the head slightly on the inside of the boat?
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...3/S4020118.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...3/S4020119.jpg

Second set of questions. Is the motor too far forward in the first pic? If so, is it ok in the second? Also, if I have to do it like the second pic, what can I do to keep from hitting the pain't on the boat every time the moror is deployed? Thanks guys.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...3/S4020120.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...3/S4020121.jpg

Pstone, I vote Picture #1 & #4 as far as it laying over out of the way (of rodholders maybe), and being back within the perimeter of the bow. Holler if you need some help......

#4 You don't want the head hitting a pier and it does happen no matter how careful you are.

OK guys, look like it will be #1 and #4. Now, what can I do to prevent the foot from hitting the paint when it is being deployed?

maybe a glue on robber pad under the prop

Pictures 1 & 4 look about right. Is it the prop that hits the paint? I use a removable mount, it acts like a spacer raising the motor enough so the prop clears the paint. The retractable mount jimfish uses would do the same plus help protect the plastic nose of the motor mount when stowed. Scott

I agree with pics. 1 and 4 also.

Well, I got it mounted a little while ago. Going in a few hours to try it out. Figured out if I keep the prop to the outside of the boat, it doesn't hit the paint nearly as bad as it did turned the other way. I mounted it like the first and fourth pics as you guys said. Got to looking, and only 4 of the mounting holes would have worked if I had of done it like # 3.

Thanks for ya'll help. I appreciate it!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pstone

Well, I got it mounted a little while ago. Going in a few hours to try it out. Figured out if I keep the prop to the outside of the boat, it doesn't hit the paint nearly as bad as it did turned the other way. I mounted it like the first and fourth pics as you guys said. Got to looking, and only 4 of the mounting holes would have worked if I had of done it like # 3.

Thanks for ya'll help. I appreciate it!

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Good luck.
Also if you use the foot control while lifting the motor. You will get where you can turn the lower unit and keep if from hitting the glass.
Pete

That's exactly what I did this morning shiloh. It works just fine as long as I turn the prop to the outside of the boat.