17 Striper 1985 Trolling Motor Base

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
geauxdeep
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2016 1:49 pm

17 Striper 1985 Trolling Motor Base

Postby geauxdeep » Sun Mar 14, 2021 4:53 pm

How can the base of a trolling motor best be secured to the bow of a 1985 STRIPER 17?

The 1985 STRIPER 17 does not have railings.

Previously I installed the base of a trolling motor using rubber grommets, but the rubber grommets pulled out.

jimh
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Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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Re: 17 Striper 1985 Trolling Motor Base

Postby jimh » Mon Mar 15, 2021 8:17 am

The base or mount for an electric trolling motor at the bow should be mechanically fastened to the boat deck using through-bolts or possibly with multiple fasteners threaded into embedded reinforcements already in the deck.

MarkCz
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Joined: Sat Jan 27, 2018 3:44 pm

Re: 17 Striper 1985 Trolling Motor Base

Postby MarkCz » Mon Mar 15, 2021 11:49 am

Were [the fasteners that you used that pulled out] expansion or well nuts?

ASIDE: You may also want to check out a product called a Shuttle Slide [to act as the base of the trolling motor mount]. A Shuttle Slide allows the bow mounted trolling motor to slide out to clear the rub rail.

https://www.shuttleslide.com/

jimh
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Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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Re: 17 Striper 1985 Trolling Motor Base

Postby jimh » Mon Mar 15, 2021 1:44 pm

Please give the URL to the manufacturer's website of the product you suggested called shuttle slide.

geauxdeep
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2016 1:49 pm

Re: 17 Striper 1985 Trolling Motor Base

Postby geauxdeep » Mon Mar 15, 2021 2:39 pm

MarkCz wrote:Were [the fasteners that you used that pulled out] expansion or well nuts?

No.

I was using the Motorguide No Access Isolator Mounting Kit

[Please give a URL to the product you mention so that readers can understand what it does--Moderator]

MarkCz
Posts: 131
Joined: Sat Jan 27, 2018 3:44 pm

Re: 17 Striper 1985 Trolling Motor Base

Postby MarkCz » Tue Mar 16, 2021 11:56 am

Since you already have the holes drilled for the rubber Motorguide fasteners (and the holes look pretty big) you have (at least) two options:

--Use large lag screws slightly bigger than the diameter of the drilled holes

--Use a threaded wood insert. The threaded wood insert nuts can be bought in brass as well as stainless steel and other metals.

If you use either a larger lag screw or the threaded insert, then carefully relieve the gelcoat close to the hole so it does not crack when the larger threaded insert or lag screw is installed.

See:
https://www.zoro.com/threaded-inserts/c/4387/