how level does a trolling motor need?

[kbryant]

mounted Minnkota trolling motor to 1994 bayliner 1700. How level does the mount need to be? Can I just mount bracket to the bow just the angle it is on boat?

 

[smokeonthewater]

as long as it doesn't hit anything and isn't at an extreme angle such that thrust is wasted pushing up or down level is not an issue....

we talking about 10* here, 30*?

 

[kbryant]

will try and send you a picture

 

[kbryant]

can not get the picture to work...I think it is to much of a angle

 

[smokeonthewater]

Compared to how the boat sits in the water what IS the angle?

 

[kbryant]

here is the angle...do I need it more level...that is what the mounting bracket angle would be

 

[smokeonthewater]

Can't really tell.....
Is the boat vs the camera as it would be vs the water floating?

 

[kbryant]

yes

 

[smokeonthewater]

Yeah that's pretty steep... It would probably be a good idea to level it....

Gonna take some design n fabrication...

Just an example

http://www.boatus.com/magazine/trailering/2014/october/mounting-a-trolling-motor.asp

 

[kbryant]

Thank you

 

[gm280]

Try all you can to make it level, plumb and straight. Reason is because then the motor's thrust actually does the job of pulling the boat rather then wasting so much effort. And if you can, try to drop the trolling motor shaft dead center of the bow. That way there is zero effort to steer one sided. Either direction you want to go will pull the same. And that allows longer battery life from each charge. If you install it down one side, it will pull better one direct then the opposite direction. JMHO!

 

[Silvertip]

The motor does not need to be dead center but it should land dead vertical off the bow. The angle you are showing with the board would create some very unfavorable thrust angles during turns. The motor thrust angle would be straight and level even with that mounting angle when moving forward. However when you made a turn to the right, the prop would be angled sharply down and much of the thrust would be lost trying to push the bow upward. The opposite happens in a left turn. If you have any woodworking skills, you can easily fashion a mount that fits the contour of the boat where the motor must sit. Glass the mount and paint it the color of the boat. If you don't have those skills, then enlist some help from a knowledgeable neighbor or friend. A metal fab shop could also fabricate an aluminum plate in probably less than an hour and it would not cost a fortune.