Bow Mount Trolling Motor Position

[ober51]

Where should I place my bow mount motor? I was thinking along the right side since I have the two hatches. I am going to make a mount the length of the bracket when stowed, is this a good idea (rather than just a mount for the base when the motor is engaged)?

Here is my boat, this is what I am thinking where the motor is stowed (where the red is).

I would have my seat in between the two hatches, and the foot pedal in front of the hatch. Is there any problem with this setup?

 

[Waterwings]

Do you already have the front pedastal mounted? I'm thinking I would somehow have the tm in the deployed/down position to see where the foot pedal will basically set when the tm is in the down position and possibly adjust the seat to where it's comfortable for you. Does/will the pedastal seat base plate fit between the hatches?

 

[fishinchef]

I would get a couple 2x4's and mock up a base on both sides as well as putting the trolling motor in the stored and deployed position. Try the seats in different positions between the hatches. If it is a foot controlled make sure your leg is in a comfortable position and you have a little room to adjust the pedal in any direction. Each person is different on how they like their setup. That looks like a good place to start. Also check to make sure it doesn't interfere with the hatches opening and closing.

 

[ober51]

Do you already have the front pedastal mounted? I'm thinking I would somehow have the tm in the deployed/down position to see where the foot pedal will basically set when the tm is in the down position and possibly adjust the seat to where it's comfortable for you. Does/will the pedastal seat base plate fit between the hatches?

Nothing is mounted at all yet. I was thinking of messing around with everything to see the best position for sure. A seat base should fit between the hatches, I made it that way, but who knows now that Ive tweaked things lol. The length of the cord from the tm to the pedal looks shorter than I would like, I feel like when its in the down position it may be too short to have my seat behind the hatches, which is where i would want my seat right now I think without testing anything yet. Ideally it would be behind the hatches near the edge of the deck (before the two small pieces). I guess we'll see.

I am going to move things around and see how things fit, thanks guys.

 

[Waterwings]

...The length of the cord from the tm to the pedal looks shorter than I would like...

That's the one problem (only a slight inconvenience) I have on my rig, is that I have to lean forward in the seat a ways to get the handle of the tm lift cord when I want to stow it. It's not too bad, but I can't move the seat fwd due to a deck storage hatch directly in front of the seat. I could probably get a longer cord, but don't want to mess with re-rigging a new one.

 

[ober51]

...The length of the cord from the tm to the pedal looks shorter than I would like...

That's the one problem (only a slight inconvenience) I have on my rig, is that I have to lean forward in the seat a ways to get the handle of the tm lift cord when I want to stow it. It's not too bad, but I can't move the seat fwd due to a deck storage hatch directly in front of the seat. I could probably get a longer cord, but don't want to mess with re-rigging a new one.

Definitely not doing that either - I lack the know how and the motivation after doing this build, lol.

I think it's just a matter of setting the motor up in a position that will work. Just gotta fool with it, but hopefully the pedestal seat fits between the hatches. If not, the deck is not attached so I can always fab something.

 

[Zum]

Your using a tiller motor,right?
You might want to put the TM on the other side(port),makes it alittle easier to see over,when motoring.Also,make sure it doesn't hang over the side of the boat to much,may hit your guide-ons when launching or docking.

 

[ober51]

Your using a tiller motor,right?
You might want to put the TM on the other side(port),makes it alittle easier to see over,when motoring.Also,make sure it doesn't hang over the side of the boat to much,may hit your guide-ons when launching or docking.

No it's actually a foot controlled motor. I hated having to always touch the motor with my hand and sacrificing fishing time.

 

[Zum]

Sorry,meant your outboard motor=tiller.
If you sit on that side,it may be easier to see more,if the TM is on the other side....maybe just a personnal preference.

 

[ober51]

Sorry,meant your outboard motor=tiller.
If you sit on that side,it may be easier to see more,if the TM is on the other side....maybe just a personnal preference.

Oh, yeah I use a tiller steer motor, which is why I was thinking of putting it on the starboard side, since I steer from the port side. I think I do it opposite than most?

 

[ober51]

How hard is it to wire up a 12V plug and recept for these motors? I bought one off eBay today for a good price and figured with some guidance it would be doable.