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Author Topic:   trolling motor addition

Ozark posted 08-16-2003 06:29 PM ET (US)
I want to add a trolling motor up front on my 1980 Montauk for crappie fishing here in the Midwest, but the idea of wiring it has me stumped. Anyone tackled this job?
I want to keep the wiring out of sight, but I see no way to do so from the console--is there a wiring channel to use going to the bow?
Thanks for any help.
Whaler72 posted 08-16-2003 11:03 PM ET (US)
I've had the same problem on my 71 Nauset. At first I simple put the two trolling motor batteries up front in boxes and ran cables across the deck. Now I'm rennovating the boat and tentatively planning to put all three batteries in the console which has been moved back about four feet. Then I'll run a cable up through the original access port in the front to the trolling motor. Unfortunately that still leaves me with a very heavy cable crossing acoss the front of the deck. Any suggestions?
Ozark posted 08-17-2003 08:36 AM ET (US)
My battery plan is similar to yours. Now if I can just conceal those wires somehow.
Today's my birthday--someone give me the answer for a present!
Dick posted 08-17-2003 09:40 AM ET (US)
I mounted a group 27 deep cycle in the anchor locker of my Montauk. It is necessary to charge it at home but the set up has worked for me.
Dick
Gene in NC posted 08-26-2003 01:41 PM ET (US)
Consider the product developers slogan, "If you can't fix it, feature it".
A friend put batt under the console. Cut hole in shelf so batt sits on deck. Run wire out side of console or at a corner and then up to and behind (outside) the bowrail bases.
Get some wire loom cover in a color that suits your style and you're done. With a few plastic wire ties it will look planned, and be out of the way.
Ozark posted 08-26-2003 03:04 PM ET (US)
Thanks,Gene; that was the same conclusion I had drawn.
I am wanting the trolling motor for fresh water usage here at home and will remove it when I go to the Gulf coast for the winter--I have no use for it there and I don't want the salt water effects on it.
I plan to get a 55lb. thrust Minnkota at Bass Pro tomorrow.
jstachowiak posted 08-28-2003 04:31 PM ET (US)
Additional idea. Get two Marinco Plug sets. Two male and two female. $15.00 each set. http://www.basspro-shops.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=23099&hvarDept=200&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=2&hvarSubCode=3&hvarTarget=browse
Put the plugs on the line between the battery and the motor. Then get yourself a battery charger and put the male plug on the end of the charging cable and you have a quick way to unplug the motor and plug in the charger to the battery. You'll want to unplug the motor easily as there could be a drain on battery if the pedal is left on. BEen there, done that.
I also am considering putting battery in front anchor locker.
If you run cable from trolling motor to a battery aft you will need gauge 6 ($$$) or larger cable. Usually about $.80/ft. for each cable. The guys at Bass Pro can advise you.
Tom2697 posted 08-28-2003 05:09 PM ET (US)
I don't have a Montauk but I must assume that if you have bow lights and you cannot see the wires, there must be a channel leading up to the bow. Follow this channel and use jstachowiak's idea of the trolling motor plugs. You might need to mount a small electrical box (available at Radio Shack) to mount the female connector in.

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Author	Topic: trolling motor addition
Ozark	posted 08-16-2003 06:29 PM ET (US) I want to add a trolling motor up front on my 1980 Montauk for crappie fishing here in the Midwest, but the idea of wiring it has me stumped. Anyone tackled this job? I want to keep the wiring out of sight, but I see no way to do so from the console--is there a wiring channel to use going to the bow? Thanks for any help.
Whaler72	posted 08-16-2003 11:03 PM ET (US) I've had the same problem on my 71 Nauset. At first I simple put the two trolling motor batteries up front in boxes and ran cables across the deck. Now I'm rennovating the boat and tentatively planning to put all three batteries in the console which has been moved back about four feet. Then I'll run a cable up through the original access port in the front to the trolling motor. Unfortunately that still leaves me with a very heavy cable crossing acoss the front of the deck. Any suggestions?
Ozark	posted 08-17-2003 08:36 AM ET (US) My battery plan is similar to yours. Now if I can just conceal those wires somehow. Today's my birthday--someone give me the answer for a present!
Dick	posted 08-17-2003 09:40 AM ET (US) I mounted a group 27 deep cycle in the anchor locker of my Montauk. It is necessary to charge it at home but the set up has worked for me. Dick
Gene in NC	posted 08-26-2003 01:41 PM ET (US) Consider the product developers slogan, "If you can't fix it, feature it". A friend put batt under the console. Cut hole in shelf so batt sits on deck. Run wire out side of console or at a corner and then up to and behind (outside) the bowrail bases. Get some wire loom cover in a color that suits your style and you're done. With a few plastic wire ties it will look planned, and be out of the way.
Ozark	posted 08-26-2003 03:04 PM ET (US) Thanks,Gene; that was the same conclusion I had drawn. I am wanting the trolling motor for fresh water usage here at home and will remove it when I go to the Gulf coast for the winter--I have no use for it there and I don't want the salt water effects on it. I plan to get a 55lb. thrust Minnkota at Bass Pro tomorrow.
jstachowiak	posted 08-28-2003 04:31 PM ET (US) Additional idea. Get two Marinco Plug sets. Two male and two female. $15.00 each set. http://www.basspro-shops.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=23099&hvarDept=200&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=2&hvarSubCode=3&hvarTarget=browse Put the plugs on the line between the battery and the motor. Then get yourself a battery charger and put the male plug on the end of the charging cable and you have a quick way to unplug the motor and plug in the charger to the battery. You'll want to unplug the motor easily as there could be a drain on battery if the pedal is left on. BEen there, done that. I also am considering putting battery in front anchor locker. If you run cable from trolling motor to a battery aft you will need gauge 6 ($$$) or larger cable. Usually about $.80/ft. for each cable. The guys at Bass Pro can advise you.
Tom2697	posted 08-28-2003 05:09 PM ET (US) I don't have a Montauk but I must assume that if you have bow lights and you cannot see the wires, there must be a channel leading up to the bow. Follow this channel and use jstachowiak's idea of the trolling motor plugs. You might need to mount a small electrical box (available at Radio Shack) to mount the female connector in.