Redneck DIY trollin' motor mount

[Nueces Bay]

I came across a freebie trolling motor, so i decided to make a handsfree mount for it that was somewhat "portable" that did not require drilling my yak. I wanted to be able to drop it on, plug in and play. I also wanted to still have use of my rudder for stearing. The entire thing is made of pvc and is attached to a standard milkcrate which houses the battery so i drop it into the tankwell and bungee it down using the existing tankwell bungees. I also made it so that it easily flips up out of the water when going skinny. The on off switch is mounted to the crate behind the seat for easy access. Looks god awful but I think it will work for those long trips on windy days. Still have to water test it. Here are some pics....

[Nueces Bay]

[phoenixphishing]

That's awesome man!

[Circlehook]

Looks Great! Keep us updated on how it works in the water..

[Jeepin Yaker]

How did you wire up the switch and where did you put it?
Tim

[richg99]

Hmmm...paint it black and sell them! Great idea.

When I get back home, one of my first projects was to add a removable trolling motor mount. I think I just found my plan!

I especially like your idea of putting the battery in the crate, which adds the necessary weight to keep the TM balanced.

I'd also like to know if your yak rudder does the job for changing directions. I was thinking of adding some bungees and steering lines, but....I might not have to do it with your design. The rig does seem to add a lot of weight way out the stern.

PLEASE keep us posted on this wonderful idea. thanks, rich

[mpg2yahoo]

Your last photo brings images in my mind of a hair cut if you forget to turn off the trolling motor before you lift it...


Other than that it looks cool!

[chronacast]

Looks good!!


Chronacast

[Nueces Bay]

F150, here is a pic of the on/off switch mounted to the milkcrate. I just recycled it off of the trolling motor head and rewired it.

[richg99]

If you don't want to mess around with the switch on the TM, you can add a "Big Foot" switch in the main power line. It has a device that allows it to be always on///or//always off..

I use it intermittently on my PB. I leave the TM on about 1/2 speed, and then tap the Big Foot to nudge her forward from time to time. Under $20.00 bucks and available at Academy and many other places. Rich

http://www.basspro.com/Trolling-Motor-F ... googlebase" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[yakPIRATE]

Similar to what I did.. I don't have foot peddles on mine so I ran some line from either side of the TM along the top of PVC and dropped it down side of the seat for steering.. I made a case for the variable switch mine is a 54lb thrust it scoots. I used the flush mount rod holders to secure it.

edit with pics:

how it sits now.. I still have some tinkering to do it works well as it sits but want to add some rod holders in the front across the seat back portion. I also need a new battery, the one I use only gets me around 2-3 miles at 1/2-3/4 throttle

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee16 ... 5D6ACA.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee16 ... B67AF6.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[kneekap]

Is there anything you can't do with PVC and imagination?

At 54 LBS, I'll bet it goes like a scaled cat!

[Terror Dactyl]

Is there any mounting configuration that does not require state registration of the TM powered yak??

[JPChavez]

Sweet rig. Ingenious idea.

[JPChavez]

Is there any mounting configuration that does not require state registration of the TM powered yak??

Nope. Once you put a motor, of any kind, it has to be registered with TPWD.

[richg99]

Don't feel too bad about the TX powered yak registration. In Illinois, where I have been spending some of my Summers.....ANY kayak...power or no power...must be registered.

They get every dime out of sportsman that they can up here. Few of those Dollars seems to go into the resource, either. I fish in Wisconsin, even though I live in Illinois during the Summers! Rich

[strowheim]

I want to do this with my Endura -- how do you modify the Endura's hand controls so that you can mount the motor in the back but still control it? are there any additional parts to buy to make this change?

By control I only mean forward/back. I can handle the steering.

[BigGabe63]

I want to do this with my Endura -- how do you modify the Endura's hand controls so that you can mount the motor in the back but still control it? are there any additional parts to buy to make this change?

By control I only mean forward/back. I can handle the steering.

Every or atleast most troling motors consist of a motor and prop at the bottom with wires going up the shaft to the head at the top where your controls are. Most people just cut this shaft short then make the wires longer and run them to somewhere close to them around the seat area. For example if you had an on/off switch on the control head of your trolling motor you should be able to buy a similar switch put it somwhere on your kayak and then connect your extended power wires to it and the same would go for your forward and reverse controls.

[texan4ut]

Looks good. Paint it the color of your yak and it would look to bad. I would do something like that but I carr too much stuff now and I don't want to have to register my yak and pay the yearly fee as I probably wouldn't be under power most of the time.

[Nueces Bay]

I took the DIY mount for its first test run. Ran into the problem that the motor wanted to spin on the pvc pipe that it attaches to. Using a sander and slivers of pvc i was able to build up and square off the pipe where the motor attaches. Ready for test run number two. This should solve the problem....

[richg99]

If you have a heat gun, ( or a wife's big hair drier)...you may be able to soften the PVC and smash it flat with a board and two clamps. Experiment on a scrap piece first, of course.

Personally, I think I'd have to bolt it through, just to be sure I didn't leave my Trolling Motor on a reef someplace.
regards, rich

[Nueces Bay]

Feels rock solid as it is now. The bolts are stainless of coarse.

[tatertot7]

That's fantastic. You should setup some outriggers to come off of it now