Bow mount on 12' GameFisher

[The RealRookie]

I will be mounting a Minn Kota PowerDrive to my 12 foot gamefisher, cept i have no idea how im gonna do it. Can i mount this thing to wood? Like, should i cover the tip with plywood or is that not acceptable? Id like to find some aluminum sheet but i think thats gonna be hard to find. Any suggestions?

 

[JB]

Re: Bow mount on 12' GameFisher

Howdy, TRR.<br /><br />Make a flat, level platform of wood and bolt it solidly to the boat. Then bolt the mount to that.<br /><br />Paint or varnish the wood to seal it.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Old Jarhead]

Re: Bow mount on 12' GameFisher

You can buy a cut to size piece of 1/4"-3/8" aluminum plate at a local metal fabrication shop. Check the yellow pages...<br /><br />I'm sure it goes without saying but if you use plywood be sure to paint or varnish BEFORE you install it.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Bow mount on 12' GameFisher

Hey Rookie,<br /><br />My boat is close to yours and I had the same problem.<br /><br />I ended up taking out the front seat and using the brackets for it to hold in a fishing platform I made out of plywood. It is sunk about 8 inches below the top of the boat. On top of that, I mounted a 2nd platform that is just large enough to hold the trolling motor and made sure I had it bolted on tight. The only problem is because of the angle, I couldn't get all bolts in all of the holes (I think there should be 6 bolts and I got maybe 4 in). Everything is carpeted and really looks nice.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[The RealRookie]

Re: Bow mount on 12' GameFisher

Me and a freind (he has same boat) where thinking about decking the fronts but we arent to sure how stable they would be with a 2 person team. We are new to these boats. Did you deck from the tip over the front bench?<br /><br />Do you posibly have any pictures?

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Bow mount on 12' GameFisher

I'll try to get some pictures this weekend. <br /><br />I made a template for the deck using the boat - I took a 4 foot by 4 foot sheet of ply and laid it on top of the boat and traced around. I then scribed that line about 4 or so inches in to account for the taper of the boat so it would sit a little lower down.<br />I took out the front bench and used the brackets from it to hold in the plywood. I also screwed a few 2x4s legs down the middle of the deck to help support it while it's being stood on. The bottoms of the legs arn't attached to anything they just sit flush agains the floor of the boat. The front of the boat comes to a "V" - the deck stops about 6 inches short of that which gives me a little pocket for my bow line to hang in. <br />There wasn't any kind of foam or anything under my front bench. It was just a piece of teak. If yours does have foam, I'd leave the bench there and maybe just screw a deck down onto it. Just make sure you have a leg or two to support someone standing on the edge of the deck. <br />I can store 2 batteries under the deck (I have to old bench stuffed under there - the batterys slide pretty nicely on it and they would be hard to move around on the carpet that is already under there) and I also stuff my PFDs under there when they arn't in use.<br /><br />My fire extingusher is mounted on the deck next to my trolling motor mount. When the trolling motor is stowed, it goes across the deck and makes it pretty useless but I figure the deck is only going to be used with the trolling motor down so it works out ok.<br /><br />Good luck - let us know what you figure out.

 

[The RealRookie]

Re: Bow mount on 12' GameFisher

I found this on ebay. I would love to deck mine out like this. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=50442&item=2466376627

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Bow mount on 12' GameFisher

Dang-it Rookie! Why did you have to post that link?! That deck is laid out much better than mine.<br /><br />The only thing I don't like is the chair in the front. I used to have mine mounted up high like that but when you were sitting up there, it made the boat REAL unsteady. It was pretty scarry when you used the electric trolling motor to turn the boat and the whole thing would dip down pretty far. I would reccomend mounting the chair MUCH lower but I guess a lot of that depends on the boat.<br /><br />Looks like I've got a project for next winter now!

 

[b_carione]

Re: Bow mount on 12' GameFisher

Are you talking about a sears gamefisher fiberglass boat. If so, I have the 14' version and am in the process of converting it right now. I can email you some pictures if you want?

 

[b_carione]

Re: Bow mount on 12' GameFisher

here are some of the pics. I haven't mounted my trolling motor yet. I plan on building up the front deck and mounting it on that. I should have it done this weekend. I will take those pictures and forward them also<br /><br /> http://www.directimagehost.com/is.php?i=14381&img=bframe.JPG <br /> http://www.directimagehost.com/is.php?i=14989&img=crptrght.JPG <br /> http://www.directimagehost.com/is.php?i=14384&img=bframerear.JPG <br /><br />I have some others with more detail. I will upload them and also post<br /><br />Hope this helps