Transom mount trolling motor on a pontoon

[Juan Grande]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but would it be possible to mount a transom trolling motor on the bow of a pontoon? I think the screw down bracket would fit on the front lip of the boat, but I'm wondering if transom mount trollers can be configured so that the control handle and prop face the same direction? Normally, the handle would face in towards the boat and the prop would face out. That wouldn't work if you moved it to the bow though. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[fishfearme]

You can do it! Switching the orientation of the head is easy. You will have to fabricate some sort of bracket to hang the motor from. The only question is, Is the shaft on the motor long enough? Most bow mounts have a longer shaft than transom mounts.

[Juan Grande]

Good question. The water is within arms length from where I'd mount the motor. I guess I'd need something with at least a 36" shaft.

[fishfearme]

So do you own a motor or are you looking to get one? They do make motors just for pontoons that have hand controls.

[Juan Grande]

Looking at buying one (cheap) on Craig's list. It would nice to have one of the pontoon trolling motors, but they cost too much new.

[jigglestick]

keep in mind, if the shaft is just long enough, every time you ride a wave that power head is going to come out of the water.

had this trouble. it was a pain.

I have a bow mount unit that I dont use any more.

its an old auto pilot. pretty short shaft though.

has the bow mount but not the quick attach plate and the foot control.

id sell it cheap enough but not sure the shaft length would be long enough for a pontoon.

[fishfearme]

The hand control bow mounts Minnkota makes for a pontoon have a 54" shaft.

[CAMAN]

I've done it before with a 36" shaft and it worked great. I suppose it wouldn't work very well on a lake like Mille Lacs or Tonka but for the smaller lakes it's great. Didn't even need to make a 'transom' for it to clamp to either. I was able to clamp it directly to the floor and it worked awesome. Also with it being clamped to the floor it actually lowered the motor by about 4-6" in the water because the way the mount was designed. Never had any cavitation or issues with waves either.

[Big Tom]

Juan,

Another option is a drift sock or trolling sock off the front and then just back trolling with the main. My 20 footer, with a 65" sock, 70 horse 4-stroke suzuki, back trolls at 0.7mph at idle with a lot of control.

[Ed Carlson]

Minn Kota Pontoon Series Trolling Motors

Pontoon 55 (55 Lbs. Thrust, 52" Shaft) $440

Pontoon 70 (70 Lbs. Thrust, 52" Shaft) $525

Two Year Warranty

Pontoon 55 (55 Lbs. Thrust, 52" Shaft)

Bow-Mount Trolling Motor

Maximum Thrust: 55 Lbs

Shaft Length: 52 In

Latch & Door Mount

Deploy-Assist Lever

Composite Shaft

Pontoon 70 (70 Lbs. Thrust, 52" Shaft)

Bow-Mount Trolling Motor

Maximum Thrust: 55 lbs.

Shaft Length: 52"

Pontoon Series features:

- Optimized for Freshwater use

- Deploy-Assist Lever

- Compact Hand Control Mount

- Aluminum Quick Release Bracket

- Hand-controlled Tilt Twist Tiller

- Indestructible Composite Shaft

- Includes Weedless Wedge 2™ propeller

Pontoon 70 features:

- 5-Speed Motor

I suggest you check in with Gander. If I remember correctly there may be some clearance deals on these models now...not 100% sure...but it is worth a call anyhow.

[Juan Grande]

Thanks guys. I saw those pontoon trolling motors Ed, but I don't want to spend $400-500 for one. I'm putting it on my in-laws pontoon so I don't want to invest too much.

I ended up buying a used Minnkota 3X on you know who's list. It's 70 pound with a 42" shaft and he already had it on a gator mount. The thing is heavier than sh**, but it should do the job.

Thanks much for all the input.

[Ed Carlson]

A Minnkota 3X is a very good choice and offers a wide range of utility.

If you found a deal...SWEET!