How to install a bow mount trolling motor to a small 14 foot boat.

[Slyster]

I thought I'd post this just for future people who search the topic. Since I hunted for info and didn't find out very much info of value.

It DOES work. Here's what I did. I used carefully cut two 2x4 sections to fit perfectly in the bow just under the gunnel including the angles of the sides of the boat. I screwed them in with 4" lag bolts. Very solid. Then.. I used 4 of the supplied bolts and lock nuts through the aluminum cap.. and then 2 lag bolts further back to secure the motor to the 2x4's. A total of 6 bolts. (They suggest a minimum of 4)... This thing is ROCK solid.

For the electrical.. since my battery is way back in the rear bench.. the easiest solution is to buy a sixteen foot 10 gauge jumper cable.. cut off the clamps.. and cut the connectors off the end of the motors cable and use twist caps to connect and electrical tape to seal.. on the battery end I used water pipe grounding clamps.

With the deck added to this 14' Lund.. the pedestal seat is VERY stable... harder to walk on the deck though. If you see my boat come say hi!

[BassAkwards]

Thanks for the info. I have a 16 ft and I really like your floor you made with the seat and storage. any tips on how to contruct that? I'm thinking it might be my winter project.

Thanks

[french_lake_kid]

Thanks for posting this. I have a 16' lund and have been tryn to think of a way to do that exact same thing, and also tryn to convince my g-pa that there is a way to do it w/o "wrecking" the boat. Thanx

[Slyster]

Yep. Check this set of photos.... http://www.slyster.com/fm/boatmod/page_01.htm

and... the informative thread here on the forum...

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=1103784&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

[french_lake_kid]

WOW , what a transformation. You should be on extreme make-over:boat edition. Really made that boat look nice. How much $ was the kota?

[Slyster]

Around $399 I think. Worth it though after using a transom mounted Minn Kota for 3 years.

[EBass]

Sweet! RAM makes a trolling motor stabilizer bar clamp deal for those power drives. That way the head of the T-motor doesn't bounce all over the place. I have one on my 14', but mine is cable driven. It's nice.

Good looking boat. Organized! I need to get my pics out here to as my boat has custom floors and decks. It's a fun winter project. Spendy though

[BassAkwards]

Wow, awesome pics sly. Thanks for sharing those.