Bow mount trolling motor?

I have a bow rider that converts over to a fishing platform. There's no place to put a foot plate, so I've been looking at the hand operated scissor types. Really the only one that might work is the Minn Kota saltwater version, but holy moly they want $450 for it! I just want something to move me around in the calmer fish-hiding areas...maybe in the 40# range.<br /><br />Ideas?

Re: Bow mount trolling motor?

YOU COULD GET THE ONES THAT MOUNT TO YOUR ENGINE.

Re: Bow mount trolling motor?

Chris<br />I used to have an old Caravell Tri hull that I converted into a " Bass Boat " and had the same problem, the way I dealt with it was to make a block of wood (mine was 5 3/4 x 5 3/4 x 18")about a 1/2 higher than the front bow gunnel and bolt the trolling motor plate through the block and the fishing deck with 5/16 carrage bolts. although I did have to extend the mount beyond the block somewhat to clear the bow I never had a problem at all.<br />Just make sure when you locate the block and mount that you try it with the motor in both up<br />and down positions and give yourself about 3/4"<br />clearance between the motor shaft and the bow for flexing of the shaft.

Re: Bow mount trolling motor?

Well, the problem is with this boat there is no real 'fishing deck'. It's a standard bow rider, but has this removable platform that you can stick a pole/seat into for fishing. The seat pads are removable and there are hatches for drinks, etc. There's no permanent place to bolt anything other than on the bow itself. <br /><br />I've seen other bow rider 'F&S' types with trolling motors, but not up close.

Re: Bow mount trolling motor?

The way mine was set up was I made a fishing platform deck in the bow seating area, I removed the seat cushions and made a template of where I wanted the deck to be, then transferred the size to a sheet of 1/2 marine ply ( you might need 3/4 if you have to span more than 15 or 20 inches)and covered it with marine grade carpet,<br />as far as mounting the entire deck, under the original cushions there were storage wells<br />and I just made some blocking cleats that "hooked" underneath the lip on the well and then bolted through the fishing deck, I also put some carpeted spacer blocking between the new deck and the fiberglass cushion ledge for wire chase and to aid in drying when things got wet.<br />The total weight of all this deck W/O trol mtr<br />was about 50 or 60 lbs. We fished with this set up for years with no problems,Although later on we did add a live well between the walk-through space.