I have to replace the existing trolling motor on my Hewes flats boat. The original owner had a hardwire through a hole in the deck just in front of the trolling motor. Has some kind of cap that tightens up to keep the wire sealed and tight.
I am planning on mounting the quick release bracket and need to know how to wire the plug. I am planning to utilize the hole in the deck for the wire, I just don’t know what kind of plug to use. I had thought about mounting the plug flush to the deck, but I am concerned about water getting in the hole and shorting the plug out.
i stepped on my plug so many times that the plug kept breaking. so i did hardwire mine. but it does make it tough to quick release the trolling motor. i thought about some sorta brace over the plug so i would step on the support instead of the plug. chris V can lead you to the best plug i bet. jan
After talking with several people on several different forums, I picked up the parts for an idea that I am going to try. Joe with Tailwalker Marine suggested installing a deck fill cap to the deck while wiring the Marinco plug inside it.
I picked up a 1-1/2" deck fill cap and the Marinco plugs from West Marine in Little River. These guys have been very helpful. They actually pulled prices off the internet and matched the lowest price we could find while I was there.
The Marinco plug fits perfect inside the deck fill cap. Pull the plug on the trolling motor, drop the plug back down inside the deck fill, screw the cap on and waterproof(hopefully) storage for the plug while the motor is removed. Joe suggested fastening the plug to the deck fill, but I am not quite sure how to go about this.
Now all I have to do is break the bank and pick up a new trolling motor.
Unless it is impossible to get a gas nozzle in the hole, …if the fill cap looks like what it is, a fuel fill, I’d get a brass label/tag or other made that says it is NOT a fuel fill. This site, and every other boating site on the web has posts about people pumping gas into a rod holder. Putting a second fuel fill fitting on the boat sounds like an invitation to have anyone helping you with the boat to put the fuel in the wrong hole.
I thought it was a great idea. The female end of the plug sits just below the threads of the cap. Unless someone pumps gas with the hose out of the fill tube, it should not be a problem. You try to stick the hose in the tube and you are going to hit something solid.
I have seriously thought about it though because the one that I bought clearly says gas on it. I thought about trying to etch it off, just didn’t know what would happen to the stainless finish.
Your idea sounds good. I always use the waterproof pass throughs that the previous owner used. The most important thing is to use heavy enough wire, especially if your batteries are at any distance.
First time posting photos. These are before and after with the deck fill. I ran the trolling motor wire through the deck fill. Unplug the wire, cap the deck fill and water tight seal. All I have to do now is put some Marine Tex on the old holes in the deck.
