Bowmount Location

[Ralph Wiggum]

I'll be mounting a new Terrova on my boat this week. Is the decision on which side to mount the motor a personal preference, or is there something to consider when making a decision?

[katoguy]

The motor should pull from as close of a center line of the boat as possible. Strictly a personal preference on which side the motor lies down when stowed. Most are on the port. Most pre-made boat covers have reinforcements sewn in on the port side to prevent wear.

[Fish Head]

I can't remember seeing any that didn't lay down on the port side (Which means the shaft is actually going down on the starboard side when in the water). I'd go with that.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Yeah, I have normally seen them on the port, too. My boat has evidence of one being on each side at some points in it's career. I think the holes in the boat will line up with the new bracket if I have it lay on the starboard side when stowed. Just wanted to see if there was a reason not to.

[Dale Rueber]

The main thing that I can think of would be to put the motor on the side where it will be the least likely to be in the way when it is stowed. Generally when you dock, do you dock on the starboard or port side? If starboard then put the shaft of the motor (stowed position) along the port side because you wont have to step over it and the motor head is less likely to get damaged by the dock.

[PerchJerker]

I've had them on both sides of my boats and I don't really have a preference and haven't had any problems either way. I think whereever it fits best ----- so it doesn't interfer with your bow lights or cleats or antennas or bow electronics, etc. --- is the best place to put them. One nice thing about having them on the port side when stowed is that they are less likely to interfer with your line of sight when driving......

[lookin4fish]

also, if on starbird side, it may get in the way of seeing in front of you if you have a stearing wheel on that side. typically you are a little to that side also if you have a tiller so i would say it makes your vision less obstructed

[Eric Wettschreck]

Mine is mounted stbd side. I like it there. When we drift or are at anchor I like to fish off the port side. That way the console isn't in my way. The trolling motor doesn't interfer with my vision while driving.

Personal preferance.

One thing to remember, make sure you mount it so that if it accidentally gets turned on while stowed, it doesn't whack the junk out of your hull. This has happened to me, props are expensive.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Impatience got the better of me. I just mounted it I've got it mounted so the shaft is on the port side when it's stowed.

Quote:

One thing to remember, make sure you mount it so that if it accidentally gets turned on while stowed, it doesn't whack the junk out of your hull.

Great point! But if I am reading the manual correctly, the Terrova has a feature that prevents it from being turned on unless it is fully deployed. I have turned on an older Powerdrive accidentally too many times to count, though!

[polarsusd81]

One thing to remember, make sure you mount it so that if it accidentally gets turned on while stowed, it doesn't whack the junk out of your hull. This has happened to me, props are expensive.

I was there, but it wasn't me. Rob says sorry by the way.

I whacked my transom mount prop with the outboard prop the other day on the river. Just barely got it luckily and didn't do much damage. Forgot to lift the T.M. before moving a short distance up stream.

[Mid-Lake Rock]

Quote:

Great point! But if I am reading the manual correctly, the Terrova has a feature that prevents it from being turned on unless it is fully deployed.

You are correct, sir.

[delmuts]

That is one feature that was WAY over due! Both the bass boat i used to have and now my fisherman series got dinged !

[Eric Wettschreck]

I was there, but it wasn't me. Rob says sorry by the way.

Tell Rob no worries dude. That wasn't the first or last time that happened to me. I moved the motor location when I did the major boat overhaul last summer.