Kayak Trolling Motor Mount
Here is a trolling motor mount that was sent to me from another avid yak fisherman. This might be a future mod for my Drifter.
Here are some details about the TM set-up:
- Minn Kota 112: 12 volt, 43 pounds thrust with Maximizer for variable speed, Kipawa prop.
- Cabela's AGM battery: Group size 22, 38.5 pounds
- Outer permanent mount (PM): 20" x 2" x 2", 1/8 inch wall aluminum square tubing.
- Removable motor mount (RMM): 28 x 1.5 x 1.5 onto which a piece of 6 x 3 x 2 tubing attached via a 5" square hinge which had been trimmed to fit.
On the ends of the permanent mount, I used 1/4" bolts run through rubber stoppers which acted as shims to compensate for the hull's curvature. The middle was flush. Inside the hull is a backing strip of 1 x 1/8" aluminum stock. I removed the rod holder to give me access. I put
duct tape on my fingertip to temporarily hold the nut when inserting the bolt to attach the PM. One of the few times that I gave the 'yak "the bird" while doing this mod.
The inside dimensions of the PM are 1.75" which is .25" greater the outside dimensions of the RMM. Fortunately the bolts had 1/4 inch high heads which took care of the vertical difference. For the horizontal "slop", I drilled 5/32" holes at each end. Using 3/16" thumbscrews, they
tapped themselves and when tightened, push the RMM forward. Flushing the starboard ends, I drilled a 1/4 inch hole for a lynch pin which prevents any side-to-side slippage.
The purpose for the hinge to to allow the TM to pivot when it hits an obstacle. When reversing thrust, I must hold on to the handle to prevent the motor from climbing. I have the TM's shaft adjusted for height so that there is an inch of prop clearance when it pivots under the hull. This places the handle level with my ear where it's not uncomfortable to grasp.
Notice the plug next to the right rear corner of the seat. From there, 8 gauge wire runs forward to the battery which is mounted in front of the starboard footwell. This nicely balances the load.
The battery is prevented from shifting by a stout bungee cord which hooks into pad eyes riveted inside the hull. There is also an 30 amp inline fuse.
RL
The battery is prevented from shifting by a stout bungee cord which hooks into pad eyes riveted inside the hull. There is also an 30 amp inline fuse.
RL
