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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.