NFT: Trolling motor bow mount on aluminum boat with front cleat

I have a Minn Kota trolling motor and have it mounted on the front deck with a quick release bracket and it works well. I forget exactly which model but here are some options.
RIGGING ACCESSORIES - ( New Window )

To a removable bracket?

I have the older bracket of the two he is showing.
Link - ( New Window )

Getting ready for shad / Striper season. Can't wait

the bow of your boat, I can't tell what the problem is. But if you think the cleat is in the way, if you have room, mount it on an angle that skirts the cleat. The motor mount doesn't have to be facing dead center because the motor can turn 360 degrees

Purely weight reduction for the stern, or something else?

In comment 12107545 jcn56 said:

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Purely weight reduction for the stern, or something else?

much better turning control, plus it allows you to fish from the bow while controlling the motor

In comment 12107540 mattlawson said:

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Getting ready for shad / Striper season. Can't wait

No problem, I hope it helped.

Yeah I have a real bad itch to get out on the water myself, so I understand.

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/miBjKBz.jpg[/IMG]

If it wont work directly on the front, no reason it shouldn't fit fine off to the right side some.

If you look at that video I linked you can see how small a footprint the bracket is with the newer model, and even with the older one that I have I think it would easily work.

Yeah I keep looking at these amounts and thinking I have no room to do it but I appreciate the advice

Definitely get a quick release though. You don't want to permanently mount it there.

Good luck with it, I hope it works out. The are real nice to have like that. I couldn't imagine fishing on my boat without it. Matter of fact if my battery would happen to run low I think I would just quit rather than not use my trolling motor and up front you have great control.

If you are buying a new trolling motor, I highly recommend the hand held control over the foot pedal. They are real sweet. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

just make sure you don't install at an angle to where the shaft or head of the motor would hit that cleat when in the closed position.

Since I was a kid I've only ever used transome mounts

to set it up to where you have a dedicated battery just for the trolling motor. It makes a big difference especially if using in the wind. You can probably mount one right under it in the bow itself.

I also have a two bank battery charger installed in my boat so all I have to do is plug in and easily charge up both batteries. You may one to consider getting one if you end up with two batteries.

not sure what happened there LOL

I Assume you mean instead of running the trolling motor and the fishfinder off the same battery

I have one battery dedicated just for the trolling motor and a second one for everything else, starter, fish finder, lights, bilge pump, live well, etc. All those things run easily off one battery especially since when the outboard motor is running is re-charging that one. However with the trolling motor IMO you want as much power available for it alone with nothing else drawing from it, especially in the wind where it will be really working hard and drawing hard on the battery. At least for me I think it is well worth it. I want as much time with the trolling motor available as possible.

But I see what you mean

if you use only one that you don't find yourself with a drained battery after a long day of fishing and in need of running lights. Would be illegal and very dangerous to not have lights if it ended up getting dark on you. Safer to have two batteries.

illegal.

In comment 12107643 mattlawson said:

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Since I was a kid I've only ever used transome mounts

You will love the maneuverability the bow mount gives you

You can mount a trolling motor onto anything. I have done it on a kayak too.

Here is what I recommend. Do not try to mount it onto the cleat. Instead, remove that cleat. It should be on there with bolts. Then use those same holes (where the bolts were) to attach something else that would do a better job of holding the trolling motor. The trolling motor mount that was made for your motor may even work too. OR.. you can make a mount out of wood or slotted angle iron.

I am serious when I say that this can be done in about 30 min.