2012 17’ DLX (Flat Bottom, not V)
Need to put on my trolling motor. Internet says to get the motor as close to the centerline of the boat as possible, but many Carolina Skiffs I see on the 'netz have it mounted to one side or the other. I like the idea of mounting it to one side so it’s kind of out of the way, but is the boat still pretty maneuverable like that, or will it drive me crazy?
Mounted catty-corner towards the centerline…
Mounted to the side (my preference):
Any thoughts?
The more you venture from the center-line, the more your “straight” heading will pull you to that side. It will bother you at first, but become second nature very soon after you get some seat time on it.
Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat
Who you getting, to mount it for you:question:
I had a J16cc with one on the side like you show. It worked fine to me. Always much better control from the front than the back. Know that. It’s in the (**() way in the middle IMO. Most bass boats are closer to side than center.
J Ford
quote:Neighbor!!! :smiley:
Originally posted by EasyWho you getting, to mount it for you:question:
Okay cool. So, from what I am reading here, it seems that I should be good to mount it to the side. Not 100% optimal, but definitely usable with small tweaks needed in my driving (i.e. nothing major)…
offset is not going to cause you any issue
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Most bass boats mount them on an angle with the motor near the centerline when it’s deployed. If you have an I-pilot it probably will self correct anyway, regardless of how you mount it.
Another option if you want to keep it more centered is instead of mounting it permanently to the boat, mount a Minnkota quick release bracket and only attach it when you know you will be using it.
Even if you prefer to have it on the boat all the time, you may still want to look into a quick release bracket to at least have the option to pull it off at any time for repair or just to kept it out of the weather.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
I would also mount it on the side. It will work fine and not be in the way like it would in the center. It doesn’t have to be centered.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
I have a J14 and have mine mounted in the center of the boat. I had happy bobby from this site make me a removable flush mount similar to the Birdsall mount. The catch is you have to use a transom mounting trolling motor, so this may not work for you! But when I am not using the trolling motor I have no mounting bracket in the way! Let me know if you are interested I can email you pics.
Cool. Thanks guys! Yes, I do have the quick release mount for it. That was an expensive piece of plastic!!!
Larry, love those cup holders… I assume that boat is one of your builds? Nice!
What kind of TM and mount do you have? If it’s a MK, you want to make sure you can through bolt and get to the forward bolts on the mount! I had to add a pulpit to do that!
quote:
Larry, love those cup holders... I assume that boat is one of your builds? Nice!
Yes, I built it. Funny, the client wanted cup holders everywhere and bought 24 of them! I only could find room for 12 That trolling motor is on a quick release mount. Not much to it with the motor off. Just a small starboard base.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
quote:It is a MK mount... I can tell it's going to be difficult. Hopefully the quick release bolt locations will give a little bit more buffer since the MK motor mounts themselves go out to the edges.
Originally posted by EasyWhat kind of TM and mount do you have? If it’s a MK, you want to make sure you can through bolt and get to the forward bolts on the mount! I had to add a pulpit to do that!
I’ve had quite a few of those and just about every time I needed to move a hole or two on the deck base.
quote:
Hopefully the quick release bolt locations will give a little bit more buffer since the MK motor mounts themselves go out to the edges.
It will. The motor base is much larger than the quick release mounting base. If you can’t figure it out, bring it to me and I’ll put it on there right.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
quote:
Originally posted by fishcrazyI have a J14 and have mine mounted in the center of the boat. I had happy bobby</font id=“red”> from this site make me a removable flush mount similar to the Birdsall mount. The catch is you have to use a transom mounting trolling motor, so this may not work for you! But when I am not using the trolling motor I have no mounting bracket in the way! Let me know if you are interested I can email you pics.
Glad the mount is working for you. BUT, I really, really, prefer Happy Bob </font id=“red”>. Bobby is what my mother and grandmothers’ called me. They were the only ones I could let get away with it, once I grew up. Everyone else calls me Bob. PLEASE!!
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
At least you had the option of Bob. It’s harder to take the “Y” off of Larry. Just call me Lar
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper