2020 AR210 Trolling Motor

[HangOutdoors]

Well I have been working back and forth on different mount locations all day, and to be honest I am not pleased with any of them. I have the MinnKota Terrova 80# 24v 60" shaft. I also have the MinnKota quick release mount with the puck.

I was going to do what @Evil Sports did here, but my front nav light is much further back and I would have to extend the starboard out even further, like a mini gang plank, the edge of my puck needs to be around 2" from the edge of the boat at the shortest point. My concern is that my nav lights may be harder to see, although the Starboard base will be higher as can be seen in the post below.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/trolling-motor-mount-for-yamaha-195-series-boats-non-fishing.25478/post-488570

IF you go up in the same thread there is an idea to put it on the bow gunwale, which would work, but I don't see a way to get behind it. I am assuming there is no hole behind the backrest cushions and the speaker is to far back from me to get my arm up there. The concern in this location is the strength of the fiberglass. I would need to put some backing plates or something there I think, not just large SS Fender washers and and nylon bolts.

Since I would assume there isn't access behind the cushion, I would have to cut an access hole after removing the cushion, which I may not be super fond of doing. Additionally I cant figure out how to remove the cushion. I thought you just pop it up, but that doesn't seem to work and I don't want to break something.

Anyhow I am a bit remiss over it tonight and trying to cipher it out. Any suggestions or thoughts would be great. I need to mount it by Sunday or I will only have a couple of days to return the Trolling Motor and the two LiFePo4 batteries to Bass Pro Shops so I don't eat the cost.

Also any advice on how to remove that bow back cushion or how to get a mounting plate up there would be appreciated.

Trying to figure it all out and come to terms with it before I started drilling.

 

[HangOutdoors]

Also How would I determine what would be level on the boat sitting in the water while it is on the trailer? If I can figure this out the mount (puck) should be level while the boat is in the water, which makes it tough since the surface I am mounting to is going to be uneven or curved.

 

[BDriver886]

Just out of curiosity have you tried the factory trolling motor mount that fits on the FSH models? Didn’t know if it wouldn’t fit or you didn’t want to drill holes.

Might be possible to get more starboard and double stack it to clear nav lights.

Not exactly sure what you mean by level to water. The trolling motor shaft height will be adjustable position it where the motor is under water.

 

[HangOutdoors]

@BDriver886 Thanks for the input. The one for the FSH will not fit the gunwales are widely different between the boats. The FSH is flat and wide. I have no problem in drilling holes

I can get it to clear the Nav lights, but my Nav lights are back a bit so I will have to extend the starboard out a ways link a gang plank off to the right or left side.. I may just mock that up with some 3/4 Pine I have to see how it looks, before I cut into the expensive starboard. Only problem with the Anchor locker mount is you basically lose usage of anchor locker while the trolling motor is mounted.

The top of the mounting puck should be level to to the water, so the mounting surface I have to build up needs to be level to the water. While the boat is on the trailer it is hard to ascertain where that will be. I was hoping there was a rule of thumb or reference to go by. I wasn't referring to the shaft.

 

[RobbieO]

If you look in the anchor locker, can you see any mounting bolts for those cushions? In some automotive applications, seat back are slid down on mounting brackets and snap into place. I would be curious to see if you can lift those cushions off. Just an idea. I have no idea how Yamaha mounts their seats. Seems to be logical if you can't find any mounting hardware

 

[HangOutdoors]

No can't see anything with the anchor locker enclosure. I found a thread that mentioned what you indicated about sliding off, but it wasn't working.

 

[RobbieO]

No can't see anything with the anchor locker enclosure. I found a thread that mentioned what you indicated about sliding off, but it wasn't working.

No wing nuts under the bottom of the cushion? Maybe have to remove fasteners before lifting up?

 

[BDriver886]

It’s a shame the NAV lights are not molded into the gunwales like some of the new bass boats. Then maybe you wouldn’t have a plank.

I’ve only messed with trolling motors on bass boats they have a flatter surface to work with. As far as level goes I’d make sure the trailer was level then check to see if boat was level. Pretend the ground was water eyeball it and wing it from there. I’m not generally known for over thinking.

 

[BDriver886]

Found a couple of forward sliding trolling motor brackets that may work. Would allow you to mount further back and slide forward when in use. I have never seen or used either but they look interesting.

TROLLING MOTOR BRACKET

TROLLING MOTOR BRACKET, SLIDE MOUNT, QUICK RELEASE, XI5, BASS BOAT, MOTOR GUIDE, MINN KOTA, BILLET BRACKET, SLIDING

www.accuratecncllc.com

SS-7-HD – ShuttleSlide

shuttleslide.com

 

[HangOutdoors]

@BDriver886 I saw that sliding mount. Not sure it would get me any closer to my objective, but it could help with the anchor locker more. Not sure dropping another few hundred on this will be approved by the Admiral, since we have a lot into the trolling motor and batteries, wiring, plug, bigger on board charger.

She came out yesterday while I was sitting on the bow looking and trying different ideas and said "If you can't do it or don't know what you are doing, let's just take the stuff back this weekend" So I am agitated and determined.

 

[HangOutdoors]

Well it looks like they are screwed in, in 3 locations and then a slide clip in one. This is from the Service Manual. Not sure how I am going to get up there though.

 

[HangOutdoors]

Perhaps I just give it a whirl on the Anchor Locker. I planned to seadek the top anyhow, so if I move it I can fill the 4-6 holes and just seadek over it. Although the gunwale mount is far more attractive and usable.

 

[RobbieO]

Maybe if you just remove the nut #9 and then it slides up. All those screws look like they secure the slide brackets.

 

[HangOutdoors]

Doesn't look like nut #9 is part of it. The ones in question are #21 #19 #16 for the Port side back cushion rest up against the side.

 

[RobbieO]

I'm thinking those brackets screw into the bow, and the cushions are released at both #21. They want to make it as easy as possible to assemble the boat. I'm going to try and get one of mine off today. It would be a shame if you had to send that stuff back. Tell the Admiral, "I know what I'm doing, I'm an engineer, fabricator, and problem solver, that's why I make the big bucks"

 

[HangOutdoors]

Don't do anything that would break something. I searched here on the forums and didn't find any info on it. I am sure someone has had to remove them already on my model of boat at least in the last few years. Was hoping to get some insight.

 

[RobbieO]

I'm sure you saw this?

 

[HangOutdoors]

Is there a link for that?

 

[RobbieO]

Is there a link for that?

 

[RobbieO]

Another one :