[Meinbeast]

My dad and I are looking at getting a trolling motor for our 2009 Keywest 1720. We are most likely going to do it ourselves and we are leaning towards a Minn Kota 55lb thrust with 52" shaft. Has anyone installed a trolling motor on this particular model? Also to install the trolling motor we need to cut a hole in the side of the anchor well and we are wondering if there is foam inbetween the hull and the anchor well. Any advice would be great, we are also emailing keywest to make sure its easy enough to do ourselves. Just want to make sure we are right before cutting a hole in the boat.

[jm_bullard]

Is it not pre-wired for a trolling motor? On my 1999 KW 1720, I just had to mark and drill holes for the rubber trolling motor mounts. The deck is reinforced, and you should not need a backing plate. I have the exact trolling motor on mine, and have had no issues with the rubber mounts pulling up or becoming loose. The entire process took about 30 minutes, and I took my time and measured everything 3 times.

[Meinbeast]

It is pre wired for a trolling motor. I dont know if the hull has changed since the 1999 model but the anchor well wall seems awfully close to the hull of the boat. Was wondering if there is foam inbetween them or something else we would have to be extra careful about. My dad is going to stop by a key west dealer tomorrow and double check. Glad to see that motor works good we should be getting it sometime soon!

[jm_bullard]

Be sure to let us know how it works out. I had to offset my trolling motor at a bit of an angle, but I had no difficulty in missing the anchor well. Your boat is a decade newer, so there may have been design changes. If you use the rubber mounts, they will seal the holes when you install the bolts, so wet foam should not be an issue. Just let us know when you have it done.

[Horsepen]

I'm not totally sure about your boat, but I accessed the under side of the bow deck by removing the port side running light. A kid/teen can get his hand in there and you don't have to disturb the anchor/rope box. I got so tired of fighting with them that I decided to make things easy and cut a round hole in the deck and mounted a 6" deck plate. I needed to be able to quickly remove the base in the event we had a play day planned. The port is mounted forward of the anchor locker box on the center line. No one even notices it there and it sure is a lifesaver. Note too, that I did not use the well nuts most people use. I used SS 1/4-20 panhead bolts with fender washers doubled or trippled on the under side and SS nylock locking nuts. It holds great with no under deck backing except the washers. Good luck.