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I am looking for info/pictures in any who mounted a trolling motor to 17' Montauk. I picked up a nice Minnkota 55# Riptide.

Much Thanks

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There are plenty of pictures from many different members if you search this subject. The way I did mine is a little extreme but the end result is a spotless install and no bulky add ons. I also like the fact that it is bolted and not screwed. No worries of it coming apart. The wood is sandwiched between the rods and the plate. You can see pics on my project page.

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Take a look at my personal page.

Todd

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Thanks for the link. Can you you tell me in specific terms where to attach screws for the mounting bracket? i don't want to make any extra holes. I have the Minn-Kota quick release bracket.

Much thanks.

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msd58, I also have the quick release bracket. I only mounted the small block to the bow. The initial is more work but it leaves no extra holes just the four that hold the bracket. Pics are on my project page. Good luck

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I saw you work, very nice. But I am not looking to do that much engineering to the mount the bracket. But great job! : )

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Msd58,

My trolling motor mount would require you to remove the railings from your boat. I cut out a piece of 1/4 inch aluminum plate that acts as the mounting deck for the troll motor. As you can see I drilled 3 holes on each end of the plate and through bolted it next to the rubrail lip. That motor has been on the boat for about 9 years now.

Todd

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msd58, I mounted my trolling motor on my 13' whaler the same way as Todd12. I have no bow rail on that boat. Just an idea you could drill for the quick mount then hollow out below the wood with an allen chucked in a drill then fill with epoxy. Redrill and run in 2" long screws. I did this for my bow locker hinges and wow it works great. Creates a solid block for the screws. Between silicone under the mount and 2" or so of solid epoxy to screw into I don't think it would have a chance of stripping out. Easy to do and should do the trick. Just another suggestion.

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bottomfish,

What shaft length trolling motor did you put on your 13' ? Is it hand or foot control. I just put a minnkota edge 40lb thrust on my 13' .It has a 45" shaft and is hand controled. It is probably a bit overkill but I bought it pretty cheap.

Todd

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Todd12, I would have to measure as I put that one on many years ago. Mine is a foot controlled Mercury trolling motor. Very old school but works wonderfully. The shaft is pretty short but it can practically put that boat on plane with just me in it. I also got this one for the low low price of free.

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Thanks for the good ideas. However I would like to keep bow rails in place. I have seen quite a few with bow rail in place and a bow mount motor .
Just wondering how to fasten quick release on the step. I can see when I could get three of the four screws just behind rub rail like you did. I was wondering about the fourth one. Is the wood under there to put a lag bolt in?

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Msd58,

The wood is their to spread the load on the fiberglass. I used machine 1/4 - 20 bolts and lock nuts. The other members you refer to have specific types of trolling motors that will slide into the water a certain way. The model of electric motor that I am using is different from those members. What model do you have ? Also, there is no wood in the step you are refering too. If you could post a picture of the trolling motor on your personal page.

Todd

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I have a riptide MinnKota 55# 12v I uploaded that to personal page. In addition I was able to get a hold of wood locating diagram for 17' hull. It shows clearly that there is peace of wood about 24" long x 2" at the narrowest that the two inboard lag bolts can anchor to in the step area. I would guess I could bolt through the area just inside the rubrail gunnal area for the outboard screws.

I have the pdf of the wood diagram but can't upload it to this site.

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My mistake on the wood located in the bow steps

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No worries. I just wanted to make sure we were talking about the same thing. : )

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I measured the footprint of the MinnKota Quick Release bracket; its 18" x 7" The piece of wood under fiberglass according to the diagram is 24" long. So I assume that I will be ok on the inboard wood screws. Just don't know how thick the wood is ?? The diagram apprears to read 4" but that can't be right.

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If you are talking about the wood under the bow step platform I believe it is 1/2".

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Yes! Thanks.

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i just mounted a minn kota quick release mount to my montauk. it works very well although i do still have the front rail mounted. its not the quickest to deploy, but i'm not a tournament fisherman, so it really doesnt matter. i used the mka 16-02 mount. the way i mounted it, i had to drill four 1/2 inch holes though the step . three of them went through the wood, one didnt. the reason for the half inch holes is because i bought a set of "motorguide" rubber mount isolaters.i got them from west marine, but you can find them here(http://www.duskyonline.com/Merchant2/...ct_Count=7) they are shaped like a "t" but the mounting screws pull the rubber up to compress against the underside if the wood, creating a cushioned mount, as well as lifting the motor mount above the rubrail so there isnt any rocking. i did use some sealer around the rubber before i put the mount in the holes to sheild against water intrusion. it is a very sturdy way to mount a trolling motor especially if you dont use it very often. i'm still working on plans for the wiring of my motor which i think i will put a plug in the center console. i will try to take some picture soon. man, i was nervous making those holes, but i thought about it for awhile and double checked deployment of the motor and found a position i could deal with so i went for it.. im happy with the results.

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Great thanks for posting. I too have the MinnKota 16-2 mount. You are about two weeks a head of me so I will wait to see your pics. How does the rubber t's anchor into the wood? Are they just an expansion type attachments into the wood? I especially want to see pics of the rubber mounts and your wiring. What is the proper side to mount motor? Port or starboard? I have seen both. I cast with my right hand.

Sorry for all the questions. My boat has been in storage for a few years while my son got a little older. I'm just very excited about geting my Whaler where I want it to be. I just got back out in the water Summer of 2009!

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I put my trolling motor plug in the center of my console above the lower lip behing the ice chest. You can't see it unless you look for it. Then just run cord under the ice chest to your motor. It can be done many different ways but mine is not an every time use so when I am not using the motor and cord are gone. Just a clean plug at the lower front of the console. The console is going back in the boat this weekend I can take pics if you like.

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Much thanks, any and all pictures are greatly appreciated! : )

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Any pictures yet?

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msd58, you know I have been so busy wireing and soldering and wireing oh and wireing that I forgot. I will take some pics tomorrow morning of the almost complete console wiring for ya

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msd58, finally took some pics of the work in progress. I posted them on my project page. Theres pics of inside and out.

http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...oto_id=891
http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...oto_id=892
http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...oto_id=893
http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...oto_id=894

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Great work thanks for the pictures

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I decided to go with a different mounting bracket. I saw this one at Bass Pro Shop today.
[url]http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/accessories/quick_release_brackets/saltwater.aspx
[/url]
This RTA-19 bracket only leaves a 10" x 4" starboard type block when trolling motor is not on boat. The other when its not on the boat leaves a 18" x 7 black aluminum thing on the bow step that has some sharp edges on it. I don't like that. The RTA-19 bracket also will allow me to sink all four screws into plywood located inside the fiberglass. I did see the rubber t's that a poster used on his mount. But as of know I am still debating about those rubber. I did notice that on some of the bass boats at Bass Pro used the rubber t's on the bow mounted motors

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msd58, that is the mount I have. It works great. I have it mounted on the port bow step. I ran it screwed and siliconed to the deck for 2 years with no trouble. Wood held good. It is now throughbolted so I shouldn't have any future trouble. You will like it. Small block and easy on and off. Good luck!!

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You know I saw your photos a week or two ago. I was not paying attention to the type of mount you used! Duh I like the idea the rta-19 mount. Comes in white too! Can't wait to get it mounted.

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msd58, good luck. I think you will like it alot. It is smooth Starboard. No sharp corners. Doesn't really distract from the overall appearence of the boat either. Post pics when your done.

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its 41* and raining right now : ( I will when things dry out!

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Wow, 41 brrrrr. Gonna be 90 here this weekend. I am down to rubrail and fuel tank and a few small things left. Quail opener is Saturday, 4 softball games on sunday and fishing in the sierras with my son next weekend. Gonna have to finish in November. Darnit!! Good luck

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Go Phillies!

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Yep, go Phillies and go Angels. I hope the Phillies crush the Doyers!

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I finally got this done! Special thanks to "rlryder's", "bottomfish", "todd12" & "nvacarro"

See my personal page http://whalercentral.com/infusions/pe...er_id=1337