Leveling a trolling motor mounting bracket

[Xelaw]

I want to mount my trolling motor onto my 2007 Four Winns Horizon with a quick release bracket. I have a Minn Kota Riptide SP. The only quick release mounts I can find online are these. Problem is, the area on my bow where I can install the bracket isn't level. The part of the quick release mount that gets installed onto my bow looks pretty small. Anybody know if I can get away with leveling the small part that gets installed onto the bow or if I should make some kind of small level platform out of star board or something and install the bracket onto it? Alternatively, does anybody know if there is a quick release bracket with a larger bottom piece that I can use with this motor?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Leveling a trolling motor mounting bracket

For a mount use this MinnKota style.

http://www.iboats.com/Mka16-02-Minn-Kota/dm/*******.282601145--**********.836864119--view_id.66077

It is cheaper and far more robust than the molded styles. The molded plastic units will warp if you don't mount them on a perfectly flat surface. To level whatever you use, go to your local hardware store and purchase a bunch of hard rubber washers. Stack them in combinations in each of the four corners to get the base plaste level. Then simply bolt it down. The motor can be locked to the plate with a padlock.

 

[arks]

Re: Leveling a trolling motor mounting bracket

Don't know if it'll work for you but I used a piece of 2"x6" rectangular aluminum tubing as a base for my bow troller bracket. Worked perfectly and is very solid.
I got lucky because my local metal fabricator just happened to have a leftover piece. 10 bucks

 

[Xelaw]

Re: Leveling a trolling motor mounting bracket

For a mount use this MinnKota style.

http://www.iboats.com/Mka16-02-Minn-Kota/dm/*******.282601145--**********.836864119--view_id.66077

It is cheaper and far more robust than the molded styles. The molded plastic units will warp if you don't mount them on a perfectly flat surface. To level whatever you use, go to your local hardware store and purchase a bunch of hard rubber washers. Stack them in combinations in each of the four corners to get the base plaste level. Then simply bolt it down. The motor can be locked to the plate with a padlock.

Will that work for my Riptide? No site I look at says that it will work with my motor. They all only list the bracket that I linked above.

 

[Xelaw]

Re: Leveling a trolling motor mounting bracket

Looks like they sell an adapter plate (link). I could level the adapter plate. I also like the aluminum tubing idea, it's cheaper. The adapter plate has a lower profile though.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Leveling a trolling motor mounting bracket

The RTA quick release bracket fits nearly every MinnKota motor including the Power Drive and Power Drive V2. I checked the MinnKota catalog. Since that is true, then either the MKA-16-02 or the longer MKA-42 will work for the Riptide because I know they work for the PD and PDV2. Both of those are extruded aluminum. I know these units well as I've used them on four of my boats. I still contend that the composite plates will warp very easily unless mounted perfectly flat.

 

[Xelaw]

Re: Leveling a trolling motor mounting bracket

Thanks, silvertip. I agree, I think aluminum is better. Also, the quick release mount + adapter costs considerably more. My only concern is the fit. I wonder why Minn Kota doesn't state that these mounts will work with the Riptide series. I wanted to buy it locally so I could return it with little hassle if it doesn't fit. Called West Marine and they only keep the quick releases in stock. I have a Gander Mountain and a Bass Pro nearby, so I'll give both of them a try. I'm also going to look online to see if anybody has a good return policy. I wonder how iboats.com is with returns.

 

[Xelaw]

Re: Leveling a trolling motor mounting bracket

Amazon has a decent return policy, so I got an MKA-16-02 from them for $37 including 2 day shipping. Guess I'll find out if it'll work this week.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Leveling a trolling motor mounting bracket

There is a very simple way to determine if what you want will work.
1) Measure the hole spacing on the base of your RipTide.
2) Go to ANY store that sells boating supplies. Heck, even my local farm store has the Minnkota quick release plates I've listed. Measure the hole spacing on those.

One plate bolts to the base of the motor and the other bolts to the boat. Slide the two together and go fishing. Even if the bolt spacing is not the same, drill new holes.

Of course the real easy way to find out if the PD, PD V2 and RipTide can use the same plate is to call MinnKota and ask.

 

[Xelaw]

Re: Leveling a trolling motor mounting bracket

For the record, the MKA-16-02 did work with my motor, even though nothing says it's supported.