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Author Topic:   Trolling motor with Bow Rail

BWdaunt18 posted 04-01-2003 09:45 PM ET (US)
I have a Daunt 18 with Bow rail. I want to install a trolling motor and am not excited about removing the rail. There is not much room for a stern/transom mount. Any suggestions? I am leary of the Lenco electric trolling tabs.
Stonacek posted 04-06-2003 10:08 AM ET (US)
I have been struggling with the same question regarding my Dauntless 16. Cabela's advertises some engine mounted electric motors that attached to cavitation plate on your outboard. Seems like possible ideal location but I'm afraid they woundn't be very effective for two reasons. 1)only as much directional thurst as your outboard turning radius and 2) a lack of "clean" water in front of electric prop given you'd essentially be pushing above the bottom of a hull whereas a bow mounted trolling moter sits down there all by itself. Not an expert on trolling motors so don't know if this matters but seems like it might. Any insights on success of these types motor much appreciated.
JohnJ80 posted 04-08-2003 11:01 PM ET (US)
Another problem would be the hydrodynamic drag with the lower unit still down in the water. I would think that this would also make for inefficiency that would not be fun.
Conversely, there would have to be some drag that would not be small with the motor mounted on the OB and when running under gas power.
Seems to me, those motor mounted trolling motors, you lose in both cases.
BWdaunt18 posted 04-11-2003 03:49 PM ET (US)
I am looking at rail removal.
Anybody want to buy a rail?
rkong posted 04-11-2003 07:36 PM ET (US)
Couldn't you put on a motor mount on the transom and put a trolling motor on that?
rkong posted 05-20-2003 10:40 PM ET (US)
Did you ever install your trolling motor? After doing some research, I found out that a Minn Kota Power Drive motor may fit under the bow rail, because you can extend it and tilt it independently. Not positive on this though.
RLSmith posted 05-23-2003 01:10 AM ET (US)
BWdaunt18, I am looking to buy a rail but for a 16' Dauntless.
Stonacek - If you decide to remove the rail, please contact me.
pstollie posted 05-23-2003 07:54 AM ET (US)
I'm new to this forum. Similar question here on my 16 Ventura with the bow rail.. I've found a trolling motor bracket in the Bass Pro catalog item # 20-562-081-00. Looks to me as it will accept a transom mount trolling motor. I was thinking I could mount it on the bow and reverse the head on the trolling motor and use a handle extension. Any one have any experience with this type of set-up?
Want_a_Whaler posted 05-23-2003 01:27 PM ET (US)
Hey...Pst...Let me know how that mount works out if you use. I am curions as to how easily the motor would clear the rail. I have an OutRage II 17 that I would like to do the same and what I like about that one is that it only leaves the 1" square piece when not in use. Still hate to put holes in the bow though.
leapinlunker posted 05-31-2003 09:18 AM ET (US)
I have jury-rigged a trolling motor bracket for my Dauntlass 15 by using a kicker bracket and an old trolling motor bracket. Without posting a picture I will explain it the best I can. The kicker bracket is laid flat on the bow and the trolling motor bracket is bolted thru the kicker bracket to make a 90 degree angle to which the trolling motor is attached. Instead of bolting the bracket(s) to the bow, I have used a ratchet strap attached to the brackets with tie down battery clamps. I attach one end of the ratchet strap to the bow eyelet and the other end to the bow eyelet by the anchor locker. By tightening the strap and positioning the bracket the trolling motor can be installed outside the railing and operated without difficulty. If anyone is interested I will photograph it and post it on fishing works for viewing. Wrote to whaler a few years back to see if it was something they might like to perfect and sell as an option but never heard back from them.
Aldog posted 05-31-2003 09:26 AM ET (US)
For what its worth... on my 92 Outrage 19, and now on my Montauk 17 (98 model) I have the Minn Kota Power Drive series with sliding mounting bracket. Both mounted under the rail and work flawlessly. The Outrage required a custom bracket under the factory sliding one, the Mountauk was a direct fasten to the bow.
jasvan10 posted 01-30-2006 05:17 PM ET (US)
i have a 22 daunt i was looking at the
rip tide by min kota it has a slide mount.
mount the bracket to the bow the shaft
slides thru a sleeve till it clears the bow
rail ten tilts down into the water
jasvan10 posted 01-30-2006 05:24 PM ET (US)
i am lookin for a rear motor mount to install a kicker on my 22 daunt, whaler suggest for me to call tanner marine says it is a all ss bracket fixed mount and they use it on a lot lot of charter boats on the west coast anyone have one of these .
andygere posted 02-01-2006 06:12 PM ET (US)
A good rigging shop can modify your bow rail to add hinged section that will swing out of the way to deploy the trolling motor. I've seen this on a Dauntless 16 and it looks sharp and seems to work well.
lurkynot posted 02-01-2006 10:10 PM ET (US)
I have been thru this entire project on my own 02' Dauntless. It was not a fast project but it was well worth it. The link below should start the wheels turning. I am willing to provide any details I can. Also I have plenty more pictures, it's just linking to this site not such a straight forward matter for the computer illiterate. Tony
http://photobucket.com/albums/b7/lurkynot/
cmarques posted 02-02-2006 06:23 PM ET (US)
Lurkynot-your link requires a password to view, I'd really like to get in and see how you made things work.
Chris
lurkynot posted 02-02-2006 09:48 PM ET (US)
Try again. Sorry bout that. Tony
timsr posted 02-04-2006 09:52 PM ET (US)
lurkynot I have installed a trolling motor like yours on my 2005 Montauk. I can just slip it under the bow rail but it's kind of a pain in the neck. Can you either post some more pics or e-mail me the pics of how your bow rail was modified or the steps you took to accomplish what you've done. It really looks like a great setup.
Thanks.
Tim
cmarques posted 02-13-2006 09:16 PM ET (US)
I just started to install one on my Dauntless 160 this weekend-oh joy. Picked up a Minn-kota Riptide but got the 55lb model. Hopefully I can have it installed over a few nights this week and maybe into the weekend. Last night I ran the cables through the rigging tube from the console to the bow and cut the opening for the switch panel. Two 6 gauge Anchor marine cables will just fit through. I pretty much laid out where the motor will mount up and can just get it to deploy under the rail but will need to get fixed in place to make sure it still will without sliding around. I also installed a bow light socket to put a 10 inch high removable bow light in.
I have a few pictures here so far- the motor is not bolted down yet so you'll see it is not far enough forward to clear the rubrail. I will post a few more pictures later with the progress.
Thanks to lurkynot and all the others who have posted about this previously- i searched and read MANY posts mostly on Montauks before finally buying one this weekend.
Chris
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/089873.JPG
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/089876.JPG
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/089874.JPG
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/089875.JPG
lurkynot posted 02-15-2006 03:00 AM ET (US)
Chris, looks very familiar. You probably already know you can tap the "whale board" below your mounting foot print. If you have any questions regarding the procedure their are some good links within the forum and I could also share my experiences as well. Also just curious. How much height do you have between the bow rail and the area the motor will mount to? From your pics there looks to be more space than there was on my 18 Dauntless. If I remember it was about 12 inches in my case. Good luck, and post some pics when you are finished. Thanks. Tony
cmarques posted 02-15-2006 01:11 PM ET (US)
It is about 14 1/4 inches at the lowest point I need to clear. I'm hoping to work on it a little tonight and maybe be able to try it out this weekend.
Thanks
Chris
cmarques posted 02-22-2006 09:19 PM ET (US)
I got everything installed and it even works! There is plenty of clearance to deploy the motor under the rail with the motor in the lowest position. I tapped into the whalerboard and no problems. Only mod so far was getting the trolling motor plug/panel to sit flush in the bow. It worked fine until I had to get an adapter for the plug to accept the 6 gauge wire and I had to cut a piece of starboard to space it out a little and now all is good. I still have to secure the new bow light socket and all will be done. Tried it out on saturday and all seemed to work o.k. and moved the boat around good but very slow. Found the battery I was using needed to be charged and have not taken it back out with a fully charged battery (it was free-we get deep cycle batteries at work sometimes).
I found the interior console is very tight for multiple batteries in a Dauntless 160. I mounted 1 group 27 battery box for the trolling battery and had to trim the handles off the ends to squeeze in front to back and then installed a group 24 box and battery for starting mounted side to side. The steering and throttle cables take up lots of space in the console but maybe some gel or smaller batteries can allow 3 batteries to fit for starting and a 24v motor. I'll have some pictures of the final installation soon.
Chris
lurkynot posted 02-25-2006 08:02 PM ET (US)
Great news Chris. Post the pics when you have a chance. Tony
cmarques posted 03-02-2006 10:06 PM ET (US)
Here's the pictures of my final installation. After time if the rail ecomes an issue, I may cut it like lurkynot did- I don't know if the rail will interfere with the motor operation if I have to adjust the height like for shallow water.
http://photobucket.com/albums/e43/cmarques1/trollingmotor/
Chris
lurkynot posted 03-03-2006 04:14 PM ET (US)
Nice job Chris. That is a very clean install. Where did you get the bow mounted plug-in panel. I have been looking for on as well.
cmarques posted 03-03-2006 06:58 PM ET (US)
Thanks.
There is a surplus place in Daytona Beach, Fl. where I bought it about 2 years ago just in case I ever got around to putting a motor on. Cost me only $12.00. They have lots of Whaler stuff, panels, cushions, etc. I got the actual trolling plug at Bass Pro Shops and cut a hole in the panel to fit.
Chris

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Author	Topic: Trolling motor with Bow Rail
BWdaunt18	posted 04-01-2003 09:45 PM ET (US) I have a Daunt 18 with Bow rail. I want to install a trolling motor and am not excited about removing the rail. There is not much room for a stern/transom mount. Any suggestions? I am leary of the Lenco electric trolling tabs.
Stonacek	posted 04-06-2003 10:08 AM ET (US) I have been struggling with the same question regarding my Dauntless 16. Cabela's advertises some engine mounted electric motors that attached to cavitation plate on your outboard. Seems like possible ideal location but I'm afraid they woundn't be very effective for two reasons. 1)only as much directional thurst as your outboard turning radius and 2) a lack of "clean" water in front of electric prop given you'd essentially be pushing above the bottom of a hull whereas a bow mounted trolling moter sits down there all by itself. Not an expert on trolling motors so don't know if this matters but seems like it might. Any insights on success of these types motor much appreciated.
JohnJ80	posted 04-08-2003 11:01 PM ET (US) Another problem would be the hydrodynamic drag with the lower unit still down in the water. I would think that this would also make for inefficiency that would not be fun. Conversely, there would have to be some drag that would not be small with the motor mounted on the OB and when running under gas power. Seems to me, those motor mounted trolling motors, you lose in both cases.
BWdaunt18	posted 04-11-2003 03:49 PM ET (US) I am looking at rail removal. Anybody want to buy a rail?
rkong	posted 04-11-2003 07:36 PM ET (US) Couldn't you put on a motor mount on the transom and put a trolling motor on that?
rkong	posted 05-20-2003 10:40 PM ET (US) Did you ever install your trolling motor? After doing some research, I found out that a Minn Kota Power Drive motor may fit under the bow rail, because you can extend it and tilt it independently. Not positive on this though.
RLSmith	posted 05-23-2003 01:10 AM ET (US) BWdaunt18, I am looking to buy a rail but for a 16' Dauntless. Stonacek - If you decide to remove the rail, please contact me.
pstollie	posted 05-23-2003 07:54 AM ET (US) I'm new to this forum. Similar question here on my 16 Ventura with the bow rail.. I've found a trolling motor bracket in the Bass Pro catalog item # 20-562-081-00. Looks to me as it will accept a transom mount trolling motor. I was thinking I could mount it on the bow and reverse the head on the trolling motor and use a handle extension. Any one have any experience with this type of set-up?
Want_a_Whaler	posted 05-23-2003 01:27 PM ET (US) Hey...Pst...Let me know how that mount works out if you use. I am curions as to how easily the motor would clear the rail. I have an OutRage II 17 that I would like to do the same and what I like about that one is that it only leaves the 1" square piece when not in use. Still hate to put holes in the bow though.
leapinlunker	posted 05-31-2003 09:18 AM ET (US) I have jury-rigged a trolling motor bracket for my Dauntlass 15 by using a kicker bracket and an old trolling motor bracket. Without posting a picture I will explain it the best I can. The kicker bracket is laid flat on the bow and the trolling motor bracket is bolted thru the kicker bracket to make a 90 degree angle to which the trolling motor is attached. Instead of bolting the bracket(s) to the bow, I have used a ratchet strap attached to the brackets with tie down battery clamps. I attach one end of the ratchet strap to the bow eyelet and the other end to the bow eyelet by the anchor locker. By tightening the strap and positioning the bracket the trolling motor can be installed outside the railing and operated without difficulty. If anyone is interested I will photograph it and post it on fishing works for viewing. Wrote to whaler a few years back to see if it was something they might like to perfect and sell as an option but never heard back from them.
Aldog	posted 05-31-2003 09:26 AM ET (US) For what its worth... on my 92 Outrage 19, and now on my Montauk 17 (98 model) I have the Minn Kota Power Drive series with sliding mounting bracket. Both mounted under the rail and work flawlessly. The Outrage required a custom bracket under the factory sliding one, the Mountauk was a direct fasten to the bow.
jasvan10	posted 01-30-2006 05:17 PM ET (US) i have a 22 daunt i was looking at the rip tide by min kota it has a slide mount. mount the bracket to the bow the shaft slides thru a sleeve till it clears the bow rail ten tilts down into the water
jasvan10	posted 01-30-2006 05:24 PM ET (US) i am lookin for a rear motor mount to install a kicker on my 22 daunt, whaler suggest for me to call tanner marine says it is a all ss bracket fixed mount and they use it on a lot lot of charter boats on the west coast anyone have one of these .
andygere	posted 02-01-2006 06:12 PM ET (US) A good rigging shop can modify your bow rail to add hinged section that will swing out of the way to deploy the trolling motor. I've seen this on a Dauntless 16 and it looks sharp and seems to work well.
lurkynot	posted 02-01-2006 10:10 PM ET (US) I have been thru this entire project on my own 02' Dauntless. It was not a fast project but it was well worth it. The link below should start the wheels turning. I am willing to provide any details I can. Also I have plenty more pictures, it's just linking to this site not such a straight forward matter for the computer illiterate. Tony http://photobucket.com/albums/b7/lurkynot/
cmarques	posted 02-02-2006 06:23 PM ET (US) Lurkynot-your link requires a password to view, I'd really like to get in and see how you made things work. Chris
lurkynot	posted 02-02-2006 09:48 PM ET (US) Try again. Sorry bout that. Tony
timsr	posted 02-04-2006 09:52 PM ET (US) lurkynot I have installed a trolling motor like yours on my 2005 Montauk. I can just slip it under the bow rail but it's kind of a pain in the neck. Can you either post some more pics or e-mail me the pics of how your bow rail was modified or the steps you took to accomplish what you've done. It really looks like a great setup. Thanks. Tim
cmarques	posted 02-13-2006 09:16 PM ET (US) I just started to install one on my Dauntless 160 this weekend-oh joy. Picked up a Minn-kota Riptide but got the 55lb model. Hopefully I can have it installed over a few nights this week and maybe into the weekend. Last night I ran the cables through the rigging tube from the console to the bow and cut the opening for the switch panel. Two 6 gauge Anchor marine cables will just fit through. I pretty much laid out where the motor will mount up and can just get it to deploy under the rail but will need to get fixed in place to make sure it still will without sliding around. I also installed a bow light socket to put a 10 inch high removable bow light in. I have a few pictures here so far- the motor is not bolted down yet so you'll see it is not far enough forward to clear the rubrail. I will post a few more pictures later with the progress. Thanks to lurkynot and all the others who have posted about this previously- i searched and read MANY posts mostly on Montauks before finally buying one this weekend. Chris http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/089873.JPG http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/089876.JPG http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/089874.JPG http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/089875.JPG
lurkynot	posted 02-15-2006 03:00 AM ET (US) Chris, looks very familiar. You probably already know you can tap the "whale board" below your mounting foot print. If you have any questions regarding the procedure their are some good links within the forum and I could also share my experiences as well. Also just curious. How much height do you have between the bow rail and the area the motor will mount to? From your pics there looks to be more space than there was on my 18 Dauntless. If I remember it was about 12 inches in my case. Good luck, and post some pics when you are finished. Thanks. Tony
cmarques	posted 02-15-2006 01:11 PM ET (US) It is about 14 1/4 inches at the lowest point I need to clear. I'm hoping to work on it a little tonight and maybe be able to try it out this weekend. Thanks Chris
cmarques	posted 02-22-2006 09:19 PM ET (US) I got everything installed and it even works! There is plenty of clearance to deploy the motor under the rail with the motor in the lowest position. I tapped into the whalerboard and no problems. Only mod so far was getting the trolling motor plug/panel to sit flush in the bow. It worked fine until I had to get an adapter for the plug to accept the 6 gauge wire and I had to cut a piece of starboard to space it out a little and now all is good. I still have to secure the new bow light socket and all will be done. Tried it out on saturday and all seemed to work o.k. and moved the boat around good but very slow. Found the battery I was using needed to be charged and have not taken it back out with a fully charged battery (it was free-we get deep cycle batteries at work sometimes). I found the interior console is very tight for multiple batteries in a Dauntless 160. I mounted 1 group 27 battery box for the trolling battery and had to trim the handles off the ends to squeeze in front to back and then installed a group 24 box and battery for starting mounted side to side. The steering and throttle cables take up lots of space in the console but maybe some gel or smaller batteries can allow 3 batteries to fit for starting and a 24v motor. I'll have some pictures of the final installation soon. Chris
lurkynot	posted 02-25-2006 08:02 PM ET (US) Great news Chris. Post the pics when you have a chance. Tony
cmarques	posted 03-02-2006 10:06 PM ET (US) Here's the pictures of my final installation. After time if the rail ecomes an issue, I may cut it like lurkynot did- I don't know if the rail will interfere with the motor operation if I have to adjust the height like for shallow water. http://photobucket.com/albums/e43/cmarques1/trollingmotor/ Chris
lurkynot	posted 03-03-2006 04:14 PM ET (US) Nice job Chris. That is a very clean install. Where did you get the bow mounted plug-in panel. I have been looking for on as well.
cmarques	posted 03-03-2006 06:58 PM ET (US) Thanks. There is a surplus place in Daytona Beach, Fl. where I bought it about 2 years ago just in case I ever got around to putting a motor on. Cost me only $12.00. They have lots of Whaler stuff, panels, cushions, etc. I got the actual trolling plug at Bass Pro Shops and cut a hole in the panel to fit. Chris