Mounting Minnkota Maxxum

[berfish]

I have a 1998 Lund Mr. Pike 16. It has an autopilot on it and I want to upgrade to a maxxum. The mounting area on a maxxum is approx. 24 inches long. My deck space is roughly the same size maybe an inch or two shorter. My question is can I mount it and not use one or two of the six holes? Or what is the length of the sliding mounting bracket? Any advice or info welcome. Thanks.

gettin ready for open water

[katoguy]

As long as you get at least 4 of the screws in you should be fine. I would recommend the composite quick release bracket. It has a smaller foot print and, thus, smaller puck left on boat when the motor is pulled off.

[berfish]

Yep, I got a good deal on the motor. I looked at the motor mount a little closer and it will fit fine. THe salesman didn;t know anything about mounting them which is scary since he worked at a boat dealership. I will have to check out that mounting bracket. Thanks

[Big Dave2]

Quote:

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I have a 1998 Lund Mr. Pike 16. It has an autopilot on it and I want to upgrade to a maxxum. The mounting area on a maxxum is approx. 24 inches long. My deck space is roughly the same size maybe an inch or two shorter. My question is can I mount it and not use one or two of the six holes? Or what is the length of the sliding mounting bracket? Any advice or info welcome. Thanks.

gettin ready for open water

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This is a little off the subject but I was wondering what you think is better about the maxxum vs. the autopilot? My 16' lund angler has a maxxum that I have used for about 5 years or so now and it works great. The only problem is that I like to fish from the back of the boat rather than the bow because there just isn't much room up there for my 6'5" long legs. I was thinking of getting rid of my maxxum and getting an autopilot or just a powerdrive because they come with the 18' cord.

Would I be making a mistake? What is it that you like better about the maxxum?

Thanks

[berfish]

Better late than never on this reply...I guess. I really like the realtime turning control. I fish around docks for bass from time to time and if the wind is blowing then it is tough if you have to wait a second or two for the motor to turn if your boat is getting too close to the dock. I also fish slop for bass from time to time and it is a pain pulling up an auto pilot/powerdrive to pull off the pesky milfoil or the spring time curly leaf pondweed. Give the rope a jerk and hit the button and away you go...with the maxxum anyway. And finally, all my fishing partners have cable driven motors and I am used to them. Oh, one more thing is I have been in two boats where the electric motor crapped out for the steering...not fun turning the motor by hand. That is basically it.

So to answer your question...for you it sounds like the longer cord might be the way to go. I guess you have to evaluate the way you fish most. Do you need fast turning control or fish in the weeds? Then I would get the maxxum. If not then the auto pilot or power drive would be the way to go.