Will this work-electric trolling motor?

[Simnut]

Good evening all!!!

I have an Endura C2 40/36 electric trolling motor, transom mount. As most of you will know.....this becomes a little difficult to control a 14' aluminum in a breeze/wind. So, in an effort to make the control a BIT better, I've thought about this idea....as shown in the attached image. Basically creating a rudder as part of the trolling motor, which in my mind would give more positive steering with the trolling motor in a wind. I plan on making it out of 1/8 aluminum, which would have a little give on the upper left hand corner (in the image) and would bend slightly, taking some of the pressure off the leg of the motor in a hard turn. These motors have a composite shaft that flex, so a little stress on it doesn't seem, to me anyways....a big deal.

Is this worth the trouble.....or a "nerdy" idea.....has anyone tried it?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Simnut]

Re: Will this work-electric trolling motor?

Well, I was doing some looking on the internet...and guess what I found?

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4634388.html

I guess someone else thought of it too! I'm going to give it a try....I'll let y'all know how it works, or if it makes a difference!

 

[pootnic]

Re: Will this work-electric trolling motor?

Nothing there to stop the bow from moving,wind is still going to catch it and spin you.
A bow mount with that outboard in the stern(rudder)would help more.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Will this work-electric trolling motor?

Agreed -- the rudder will do little or nothing for you. The stern of the boat is the pivot point and the boat itself is a very long lever. A gust of wind on the bow will still spin the boat. Rudders need water moving past them to control direction. At trolling motor speed they would near useless.

 

[mike64]

Re: Will this work-electric trolling motor?

I have a transom mounted trolling motor on a 16' glass boat. If there's wind I'll just troll backwards. That works pretty well.

 

[Paul Pro]

Re: Will this work-electric trolling motor?

Hmm,I just added a removeable rudder for the stern.worked great.How do you think the boat will handle with a rudder mounted to the bow?Its just an idea,I know it sounds complicated to install,also depending on boat.I almost tried it on my jonboat,I thought wedging a rudder up through the bow handle.I allready turned the head 180 on my motorguide,so its staying like that for now.I think it would be more helpfull, other than a drawback?