Mounting a transom trolling motor bracket

[catsmeow1]

I have a 17' 1985 Aluminum Sea Nymph center console boat. Want to mount a trolling bracket to the transom. The transom next to the motor mount area are enclosed. I believe they have foam flotation in them. Need to mount the bracket with some type of stainless steel toggle bolts for strength. Being the foam is inside and the toggles have to open how can I clear the foam when only drilling holes just big enough to the closed toggles to fit into. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Walt

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Mounting a transom trolling motor bracket

Hi. First, are you sure that mounting the bracket to the outer aluminum skin will be strong enough?
If you go ahead, the hole you drill will be large enough to get a bent piece of metal in there and scrape out enough foam to allow the toggles to open.
Make sure you seal it properly - you do not want water getting into the foam

 

[airshot]

Re: Mounting a transom trolling motor bracket

Why not drill all the way thru then add large washers on the inside or even an aluminium plate to help strengthen even more. Just seal thru holes very well so no water enters boat or foam. Be sure you use SS bolts and hardware, I would not trust just a toggle holding to the outside skin. They will probably be OK for an electric motor, but for a gas engine I definetly would go thru completely with a backup plate, that is how my Starcraft is done.

 

[grzzzz]

Re: Mounting a transom trolling motor bracket

Make SURE when you pick your spot to install the mount, that it is IMPOSSIBLE for the 2 props (main out drive and trolling motor) to hit each other. Try it in all trims/positions/heights etc. The previous owner of my boat did not do that and in the heat of battle (with a fish) I have ran my 2 props to together now twice. If my main drive drifts all the way to the right, and is down, and the kicker is turned all the way to the left and down ..... it is a ghastly sound!! Replacing 2 props at a time is a bit costly.

Grzzzz

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Mounting a transom trolling motor bracket

you are gonna HAVE to open up the cavity and remove the foam... you need to build a structure behind the skin to mount the bracket to.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Mounting a transom trolling motor bracket

Why not drill all the way thru then add large washers on the inside or even an aluminium plate to help strengthen even more.

Yah, can't do that unfortunately. Those blocks of foam are huge back there, no access. (kinda what smoke is suggesting up there ^^^)

Real quick, have you checked the condition of your transom lately?

The foam in my SN held water right up against my transom and rotted it right down to the consistency of worthless wet mulch.