Best mounting orientation for my trolling motor?

[NMShooter]

Hope I have this in the correct forum.

I purchased a Powerdrive V2 55 used off of craigslist for my 17' aluminum bluefin. I have a fairly large triangular deck at the bow to mount it on, but it seems as though i have to cantilever the motor frame well off of the deck to get the motor to swing down.

I'm also trying to figure out the best way to mount this so that when stowed it does not crowd passengers riding in the bow.

Also considering using longer mounting bolts and using wing nuts as a way to attatch / detach fairly quickly. I'm afraid I might invite theft if I do so though.

If anyone has pix of how their trolling motor is mounted to the bow, I'd appreciate if you could post.

Any and all suggestions welcome!

Thanks,

Frank

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Best mounting orientation for my trolling motor?

Most trolling motors are mounted to follow the port side gunnel, don't know why it's the port side, but that's the way most I've seen are mounted. MK has quick disconnect plates that separate, 1/2 goes on the TM and the other half on the boat, quick and easy way to remove and install the TM. Here's how I mounted mine, it's a Motor Guide, but you'll get the idea.

 

[NMShooter]

Re: Best mounting orientation for my trolling motor?

Thanks...

Maybe they run on the port side to keep visibility better on the drivers side?

In looking at your motor, it appears that the base does not extend over the edge of the bow. Can you clarify? My V2 appears to need to extend over the bow by about 4 or 5 inches. Also.. can you tell me where you got your fishing seat base, and what the pedestal height is? That's next on my purchase list

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Best mounting orientation for my trolling motor?

Driver visibility sounds good to me

The TM does extend over the rail a couple inches, not sure how much, but you can see the shadow in the pic, maybe 2" or so past the rub rail. It just needs to be far enough out to where the motor doesn't whack the boat when deploying/stowing. I temp mounted mine to see how close I could get it to the rub rail, then bolted it down. MK might have a measurement in the PD install instructions, probably on their website..

The front seat base is a Springfield Plug-In 238 with a 28" post, swivel seat base and $10 Cabelas butt rest. I did it on the cheap (no height adjustment), but it works good for me... I don't remember where I got the seat parts, Ebay, online sales, etc. Iboats has everything though. If your boat already has seat bases, I'd go with that style so you can swap things around, I do.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Best mounting orientation for my trolling motor?

mine is similar to Fisherdan, you have to just throw it on the boat and see where it will fit.

It will be a compromise either way but get the best average placement and go, every boat is abit different so no one can give you measurements or anything and watch thatsti doesn't block your bow lights.

 

[John_S]

Re: Best mounting orientation for my trolling motor?

Here are a couple of shots of my installation. It is the MG version of the powerdrive. I did not want to remove the railing on mine, so had to keep it further out. You don't have to do that, and don't recommend it. You have to remember to be careful around pulling up to docks on the port side.

PS: There are many here that have Powerdrives, so bet there will be a couple pics soon. Also, searching might pull them up.