Question Trolling Motor Mount

TheDude · 09-22-2009, 07:53 AM

I have a foot controlled trolling motor on my boat. The boat is fiber-glass and I of course have it mounted on the bow. You could say the motor is mounted at kind of an angle, following the curve of the bow.

When engaging the motor it seems like the mount kind of twists and pulls on the screws that are holding it onto the boat. So much that they seem like they are starting to slip. I simply have it mounted to the surface with some small 1/8" rubber spacers between the mount and the boat, but simply have deep thread screws going into the fiber-glass.

Should I be doing something different to get a more solid mount? Maybe should have had it done professionally, but it didn't seem like it would be this hard.

xtreme76 · 09-22-2009, 08:51 AM

If you can post a pic I am sure we could be more helpful. What do you mean by slip? You likely at least need some large fender washers on the backside or better yet a backing plate. How curved is the mounting surface? Do you have a gap between the mount and surface of the boat?

TheDude · 09-22-2009, 09:01 AM

I wish I had pictures as well. There is a 1/8 inc gap or so betweent the mount and the surface of the boat. And, to clarify the slip thing, the screw seem like they are starting to kind of pull out of the fiber glass.

We were thinking about trying to put a board under the part of the fiberglass, so we could screw through the mount, through the fiber-glass, and into the board.

xtreme76 · 09-22-2009, 09:29 AM

Is it mounted now with screws or bolts and nuts? If you currently have screws get rid of them. Yes a backing plate is needed. If you can use something composite (I have used a composite cutting board cut to fit before) in lieu of wood then do. Drill matching holes into the backing plate and then bolt through the fiberglass and the backing plate and then secure with washers and lock nuts.

ArizonaNative · 09-22-2009, 04:34 PM

Definitely use bolts!! For that motor, 1/4" or 5/16" grade 8 should be plenty strong. Might want to consider galvanized or better yet, stainless, while you're at it so the bolts don't rust up.

**Ty S** · 09-22-2009, 06:02 PM

Lose the screws

Put the board underneath and drill thru it all and make it one solid mount. Perhaps even get a 2X12 and mount the motor on top of that to make up that clearance issue.

TheDude · 10-01-2009, 07:32 AM

Thanks for the suggestions fellas. We managed to get the trolling motor mounted, AZ native, you would probably recognize the motor, as my buddy Joe purchased the Foot Contol motor a couple weeks ago. We weren't able to get one solid board under on the "inside" of the boat but we got a couple pieces in there and it feels REAL solid, and the test run last week verified. Thanks to all.

09-22-2009, 07:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
TheDude TheDude is "very anal about keeping his ice hole clean and free of obstructions." Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Seward Posts: 260 Thanks: 33 Thanked 54 Times in 33 Posts	Trolling Motor Mount I have a foot controlled trolling motor on my boat. The boat is fiber-glass and I of course have it mounted on the bow. You could say the motor is mounted at kind of an angle, following the curve of the bow. When engaging the motor it seems like the mount kind of twists and pulls on the screws that are holding it onto the boat. So much that they seem like they are starting to slip. I simply have it mounted to the surface with some small 1/8" rubber spacers between the mount and the boat, but simply have deep thread screws going into the fiber-glass. Should I be doing something different to get a more solid mount? Maybe should have had it done professionally, but it didn't seem like it would be this hard. __________________ "Many Men Go Fishing All of Their Lives Without Knowing That It Is not Fish They Are After."

09-22-2009, 09:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
TheDude TheDude is "very anal about keeping his ice hole clean and free of obstructions." Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Seward Posts: 260 Thanks: 33 Thanked 54 Times in 33 Posts	I wish I had pictures as well. There is a 1/8 inc gap or so betweent the mount and the surface of the boat. And, to clarify the slip thing, the screw seem like they are starting to kind of pull out of the fiber glass. We were thinking about trying to put a board under the part of the fiberglass, so we could screw through the mount, through the fiber-glass, and into the board. __________________ "Many Men Go Fishing All of Their Lives Without Knowing That It Is not Fish They Are After."

09-22-2009, 04:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
ArizonaNative ArizonaNative is tired Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pawnee County Posts: 620 Thanks: 54 Thanked 161 Times in 90 Posts	Definitely use bolts!! For that motor, 1/4" or 5/16" grade 8 should be plenty strong. Might want to consider galvanized or better yet, stainless, while you're at it so the bolts don't rust up. __________________ . So much to do, so little time.

09-22-2009, 06:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ty S Ty S is sunburnt, bloody, and beat! Moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nebraska Posts: 6,117 Thanks: 508 Thanked 399 Times in 266 Posts	Lose the screws Put the board underneath and drill thru it all and make it one solid mount. Perhaps even get a 2X12 and mount the motor on top of that to make up that clearance issue. __________________ Ducks Unlimited Waterfowlers Party , Norfolk, NE April 24 100s of decoys, 11 guns, beer, food, and good times included in the $25 ticket price. Contact me for details! Not just for duck hunters. Lots of different prizes.

10-01-2009, 07:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
TheDude TheDude is "very anal about keeping his ice hole clean and free of obstructions." Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Seward Posts: 260 Thanks: 33 Thanked 54 Times in 33 Posts	Thanks for the suggestions fellas. We managed to get the trolling motor mounted, AZ native, you would probably recognize the motor, as my buddy Joe purchased the Foot Contol motor a couple weeks ago. We weren't able to get one solid board under on the "inside" of the boat but we got a couple pieces in there and it feels REAL solid, and the test run last week verified. Thanks to all. __________________ "Many Men Go Fishing All of Their Lives Without Knowing That It Is not Fish They Are After."

09-22-2009, 08:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
xtreme76 xtreme76 is waiting for april Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Central Ne Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor Posts: 163 Thanks: 81 Thanked 46 Times in 36 Posts	If you can post a pic I am sure we could be more helpful. What do you mean by slip? You likely at least need some large fender washers on the backside or better yet a backing plate. How curved is the mounting surface? Do you have a gap between the mount and surface of the boat?

09-22-2009, 09:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
xtreme76 xtreme76 is waiting for april Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Central Ne Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor Posts: 163 Thanks: 81 Thanked 46 Times in 36 Posts	Is it mounted now with screws or bolts and nuts? If you currently have screws get rid of them. Yes a backing plate is needed. If you can use something composite (I have used a composite cutting board cut to fit before) in lieu of wood then do. Drill matching holes into the backing plate and then bolt through the fiberglass and the backing plate and then secure with washers and lock nuts.

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