CONTINUOUSWAVE

I discussed previously that I contacted Boston Whaler and previous owners for drawings to bow-mount a trolling motor on a 2001 Dauntless. I wound up cutting the rail to do it. This forum and its moderators are terrific, and users were very helpful. Thank you! They stated that only the port side is reinforced for a trolling motor and even sent the illustration to me (see Figure 1 below).

I asked my marina verbally and in writing to have it installed on the port side for this reason. I sent illustrations and pictures to show exactly how it should go.



I asked them to send me a picture of the finished installation yesterday. My heart sank when I saw that it was installed on the wrong side.

I don't know what to do at this point--aside from order a drink and cry at the bar! I contacted the mechanic, and he apologized for the starboard installation, and said we could move it over to the port, but then obviously there would be more drilling, holes, foam removed, and fiberglass to repair. Those are obviously not things that I would like to have.

On the other hand, leaving it on the current starboard side where the manufacturer's drawings show it's not reinforced for a trolling motor makes me worry that operating it as is will cause damage as well. It's a new Minn Kota Terrevova, so it has plenty of power and torque.

Now I feel like I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't because it wasn't installed on the port side that I requested. I'm really distraught about these 2 options that I'm faced with. I love this Whaler and don't know what to do. What would you suggest? Any help or moral support is appreciated.

Figure 2 below shows the trolling motor and the mounting hardware and position.



Note: the railing will have caps welded on and will not remain open as shown.

I would have the marina install the trolling motor properly and make the cosmetic repairs necessitated by their error. Apologies are fine but the repair should be done without an extra charge. Otherwise, there is the likelihood of the trolling motor being ripped out if the motor [drive shaft] is ever [run] aground [while underway].

Apparently the technicians at the marina either cannot read, are dyslexic, or never got your instructions. If you are not satisfied, you should work out a remedy with the marina.

Without knowing how the retainer fasteners have been secured into the hull laminate in this installation, the integrity of this mounting is unknown.

Clearly Boston Whaler provided the additional reinforcement on the Port side of the bow for a reason.

If the marina values you as a customer, and if you value the marina as a resource you want to maintain, both parties will have an interest in resolving this problem. If the marina is not a service provider in your future, or if the marina seems to have little interest in maintaining you as a customer, then coming to a mutually satisfactory agreement may be difficult.

A properly-repaired Starboard bow deck should have no effect on the structure of the boat, and, if the re-work is done well, it will be minimally cosmetically intrusive.

Note: if the embedded reinforcement by Boston Whaler is phenolic board, that material can be tapped, and machine screws can be used as the fasteners instead of self-tapping screws. I suggest you consult with the factory to confirm their preference.

Just saying, did anyone look at the hull reinforcement diagram? Maybe there is the same phenolic on the starboard side.