transom motor on bow?

oldtimer · 10-22-2009, 05:04 PM

I've got an older 14ft Starcraft boat with a 6hp merc and a small electric motor on the transom. This is not a very large boat and mostly I fish pretty small lakes. I was thinking maybe I would like to fish out of the bow sometimes. I see MotorGuide has now a varimax transom mount 45 lbs thrust with a 36inch or 42inch shaft for about $200.00. The Ad says the head can be easily turned to mount the motor on the bow or even the side of the boat. My question is has anyone ever mounted a transom motor up front and what are the disadvantages? I temporary stuck my small electric motor up front on the bow, out of the water, and looks like it would maybe work if I made a small wooden block to shim out the gunnel. Seems to me maybe the worst case would be if I hit something in the water it would have no way to break away, probably bending the shaft.
Thanks for any ideas or help.
Luck

fishhunter44 · 10-22-2009, 05:50 PM

No matter where you mount a trolling motor there's always a chance you'll hit something underwater.
As for mounting it, you're on the right track. Just make your own 'transom' up front somewhere, like a block of wood, and you'll be set. Remember: it's always easier to pull a boat than it is to push it. Just make the 'transom' big enough that you can really make it secure so it won't break off and you should be good. The biggest disadvantage that I can think of would be the length of the shaft on the motor. If you've got a long enough motor, I say use it. And with smaller boats, a lot of times you don't need a 48-54" shaft like you do on an 18' walleye boat, so maybe you'll be ok.

The other thing that some people might deem a disadvantage would be that it'll be a hand control motor instead of foot control. I've gotten to the point the last couple of years where I'm using my rear electric a lot more than my front one, as I really like the control I have with it. I'm able to get out in 40mph wind now and just hover and cast jigs for whatever reason, it's been real nice. You might find that it works well for you too, who knows.

Hope this helps--

Dad O. · 10-22-2009, 06:00 PM

I changed a Minn Kota to use on the front of my pontoon. Just had to pull a pin out then twist the shaft 180 degrees, and insert the pin.

flushmaster · 10-23-2009, 05:42 AM

I turned a transom mount to fit a bow, Turn the top where the control is 180 degrees. Do not turn the motor end as it has a sealant on the threads so water does not leak into the motor, or at least mine did. I drew an arrow with permant marker on mine so I knew which way I went as I put it on a buddies transom every year when we went to the Refuge lakes and didn't want to keep twisting wires up. If you are sitting close enough to the motor you will not mind the hand control on the bow mount, you will learn to adjust the motor right before each cast.

Harold · 10-29-2009, 02:15 PM

I loosened and rotated the HEAD (HALF WAY) of my 28lb Minnkota transom mount on my 12' Aluminum boat. I had a local welding shop bend me a 90 degree mount from a piece of heavy Aluminum, which I attached to the front of the boat.

Worked GREAT!

Harold F.

Note, you do NOT want the blade up front of the head, unless you are willing to keep a couple extra blades and constantly cleaning off the weeds!

10-22-2009, 05:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
oldtimer oldtimer has no status. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: south central nebr Posts: 47 Thanks: 45 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	transom motor on bow? I've got an older 14ft Starcraft boat with a 6hp merc and a small electric motor on the transom. This is not a very large boat and mostly I fish pretty small lakes. I was thinking maybe I would like to fish out of the bow sometimes. I see MotorGuide has now a varimax transom mount 45 lbs thrust with a 36inch or 42inch shaft for about $200.00. The Ad says the head can be easily turned to mount the motor on the bow or even the side of the boat. My question is has anyone ever mounted a transom motor up front and what are the disadvantages? I temporary stuck my small electric motor up front on the bow, out of the water, and looks like it would maybe work if I made a small wooden block to shim out the gunnel. Seems to me maybe the worst case would be if I hit something in the water it would have no way to break away, probably bending the shaft. Thanks for any ideas or help. Luck

10-22-2009, 06:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dad O. Dad O. is Jobless Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lake Havasu City, Az. Posts: 1,204 Thanks: 6 Thanked 141 Times in 97 Posts	I changed a Minn Kota to use on the front of my pontoon. Just had to pull a pin out then twist the shaft 180 degrees, and insert the pin. __________________ Photo Album

10-23-2009, 05:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
flushmaster flushmaster is vertical Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Stanton Posts: 178 Thanks: 1 Thanked 26 Times in 17 Posts	I turned a transom mount to fit a bow, Turn the top where the control is 180 degrees. Do not turn the motor end as it has a sealant on the threads so water does not leak into the motor, or at least mine did. I drew an arrow with permant marker on mine so I knew which way I went as I put it on a buddies transom every year when we went to the Refuge lakes and didn't want to keep twisting wires up. If you are sitting close enough to the motor you will not mind the hand control on the bow mount, you will learn to adjust the motor right before each cast. __________________ Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.-Dr. Seuss

10-29-2009, 02:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
Harold Harold is missing his friend, OBG. 2008 Catch and Continue Finalist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kearney Certified Youth Fishing Instructor NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 2,395 Thanks: 1,780 Thanked 717 Times in 416 Posts	I loosened and rotated the HEAD (HALF WAY) of my 28lb Minnkota transom mount on my 12' Aluminum boat. I had a local welding shop bend me a 90 degree mount from a piece of heavy Aluminum, which I attached to the front of the boat. Worked GREAT! Harold F. Note, you do NOT want the blade up front of the head, unless you are willing to keep a couple extra blades and constantly cleaning off the weeds! __________________ "If I had a picture, I wouldn't have given you 1,000 words..." (OBG) "Perhaps a better way of measuring wealth is by the number of unique experiences you have had..." Esther Dyson These are OUR FISHERIES! Report All Violations! .............1-800-742-SNAP

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10-22-2009, 05:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
fishhunter44 fishhunter44 has no status. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Overton NE Posts: 651 Thanks: 11 Thanked 44 Times in 36 Posts	No matter where you mount a trolling motor there's always a chance you'll hit something underwater. As for mounting it, you're on the right track. Just make your own 'transom' up front somewhere, like a block of wood, and you'll be set. Remember: it's always easier to pull a boat than it is to push it. Just make the 'transom' big enough that you can really make it secure so it won't break off and you should be good. The biggest disadvantage that I can think of would be the length of the shaft on the motor. If you've got a long enough motor, I say use it. And with smaller boats, a lot of times you don't need a 48-54" shaft like you do on an 18' walleye boat, so maybe you'll be ok. The other thing that some people might deem a disadvantage would be that it'll be a hand control motor instead of foot control. I've gotten to the point the last couple of years where I'm using my rear electric a lot more than my front one, as I really like the control I have with it. I'm able to get out in 40mph wind now and just hover and cast jigs for whatever reason, it's been real nice. You might find that it works well for you too, who knows. Hope this helps--