mounting a bow mount trollin motor on an aluminum fishing boat

[moby1]

Hi
Can anyone help me out on where or what kind of bracket to get that will enable me to mount a bow mount trolling motor on a small aluminum fishing boat. I have been told cabelas has a bracket but I have been unable to find it on their HSOforum. At this point I am open to all brands or options. The boat does not have a flat "platform" area to mount to, only the thin rail.
Thanks

[minneman]

whoever owned my 16' lund pryor to me had cut a pc of 3/4"plywood to the shape needed and fastened it w/predrilled holes useing small lag bolts to hold it to the gunnel. the heads are countersunk in the plywood and the whole thing was carpeted. I never had a bowmount on it but Im sure it would do the trick. its been there for 10 years. good luck!

[delmuts]

on my old lund i bought a couple of pcs of alum. angle ( L shape )( i bought them at a local trailer manf.) screwed them to the inside of the gunnal then bolted my ply wood so it was flush with the top edge . then i built a storage space off the front seat to the top pc.. i bolted the trolling motor on top and stored the batt. for it in the storage area. del

[Guest]

minneman - sounds like my old boat! I had a 16 lund and put on a platform and board for bow mount. It worked great.

With a thin rail one could probably screw on some brackets with angle iron and attach to that??

[Ufatz]

Cabela's DOES sell such a bracket and it works great. In fact I have one sitting in my shed I no longer need. Just used it part of last season but if really does just what you want to do. I changed boats last week and don't need it. Look in the Cabela's catalog and you'll find it.

[moby1]

ufatz
Do you want to get rid of the one you have sitting in your shed?

[RuKiddingMe]

I just put a bow mount on my boat. Purty simple... I cut a piece of plywood to fit across the bow and sit right on the rails, the board is about 15 inches deep. I didn't want to drill any holes in the rails, and also wanted it to be removable with out much effort. I went out and bought 4, 2inch C - Clamps, 2 on each side. Works out perfect and it's sturdy enough for me to travel with.

RU

[Justfishing]

I have one of those brackets, got it at Cabelas a couple of years ago. I think it was in this years spring catalog. I believe it is made by Minn Kota.

I would not recommend it unless you already have the motor. I had to extend my shaft to use it on the front, I have a 16' Aluminum resort style boat with the bench seats. Got a spare 60" shaft for a Motor Guide if anyone is looking for a replacement shaft.

You will need to turn the controller around to use it on the front. Also I modified mine to improve the mouning clamp in the front. They give you a stap to sung the front of the bracket down with but it was not very functional.

If you dont have a motor yet I would go with a standard bow mount. Like others have said build a plywood platform. Cover it with carpet and it will look like it came with the boat. I think you would be happier doing this than with a transom mount. If you would like I can take a picture of my setup.

[moby1]

just fishing, or anyone else with pics, please send me pics if you can. As of now I have a transom mount motor. I am hoping to upgrade but who knows how long before it acutally happens $$$$$$$
b.lavasseur at att.net.

[Justfishing]

Just ran across my copy of the Cableas Spring catalog Edition 1 - page 105. Minn Kota small craft motor mount. Hope this helps

When you are looking at the picture there is a strap running down the front of the the boat that attaches to the hook on the front of the boat. In my opinion that is a weaknes as it doesnot look the fron of the mount securley. I fashioed piece of metal tub with a long bolt. I will try to take some pictures tonight and show my modification.

What brand of motor do you have and how long is the shaft.

How do I post pictures?

[This message has been edited by Justfishing (edited 07-14-2004).]

[danny berg]

Moby1
I'll see if I can borrow the work Digital camera tonight and send you pictures of how I mounted my platform and Bow mount this past spring. Actually turned out real simple to do.
I bought a full sheet of green treated 3/4" plywood Put it on the bow and traced the outline of the boat on the wood. Cut it out with a skill saw, painted and mounted on the boat. I will try and get pictures tomorrow with a little more elaborite instructions.

DAnny

[danny berg]

Moby1
You have mail

[moby1]

thanks for the tips and pics