Trolling motor mount for Yamaha 195 series boats - Non Fishing

[gwrace1]

I've seen this discussed in other forums but was wondering if anyone has come up with a mount for a trolling motor for the newer 19 foot boats. Thinking AR195 or 195S? We don't do a lot of fishing but thought it might make the boat a little more usable during the cooler months. Plus provide a backup to the single engine. We use the boat year round here in Texas.

 

[marcham]

A few options here...

https://jetboaters.net/threads/trolling-motor-help-needed.12427/

Let us know what you come up with!

 

[mrtrav]

I am looking to mount a trolling motor to our 2019 AR195. Looking to reduce hours but also reduce Co2 while trolling. I would like to be able to mount it somewhere where I can still put the cover on. Some of the mounts I have seen here show a mounting bracket sticking out the side of the boat, which isn't ideal. Anyone come up with any solution for a trolling motor on these style boats? We also use the boat heavily for swimming/surfing/skiing/etc., so a removable motor would be something I am looking to do as well. Thoughts anyone?

 

[biffdotorg]

Minn Kota bow mounts have a "puck" mount that literally leaves nothing more than a smooth puck on your bow. This was to allow fisherman to remove the motor and still get a cover on.

Albeit, you still need to build up the base under the puck to level it at trolling speeds. From what i have seen, folks took long bolts on each corner of the puck and sleeved them with heavy PVC with an inside diameter the same as the bolt's outside diameter. This allowed them to shape the ends of the PVC to match the curvature of the bow and keep the bolts straight up and down. Flat on the tops side of the PVC, under the puck, and curved to match the hull on the bottom.

This was documented on a 210 class Yamaha on the "other site" I was truly intrigued, but didn't want to give up bow space to batteries. But I am having second thoughts now, as I want to fish more. And my bow filler cushions do have that nice seadeck back on them for a fishing platform.

Good luck!

 

[biffdotorg]

OK, I stole these photos off the other site. DM me for a link, as I am unsure if I can share that here. But we are all adults and know how to use search for "Trolling Motor" over there if needed.

I like the install, and may consider it on my boat. As I love the comfort of our boat over a 16' Lund. It's just not a good walleye boat.

 

[Evil Sports]

I didnt want to drill any holes in my hull so I sacrificed the anchor locker door. Figured we could fill those holes and put a seadek mat over it when I sell the boat. We fabricated a base out of star board and mounted the Minnkota puck to that on top of the door. I dont have any pics at the moment. You can store the motor in the ski locker when not in use which is a huge help. Been doing this for 7 years now. Keep in mind with no out drive or steering device in the water the ass can get moved around by wind. Thats my only complaint is the wind blowing us off track.

 

[biffdotorg]

That's a lot of force on the door. The hinges are holding up fine? I would guess if not, you would have stopped using it years ago.

Nice work!

It's crazy contemplating this again, as I would love to have a trolling motor. Small 14' lund with a 10-15hp motor are $1200-2000. Heck, a 60" 24v Minn Kota is more than that. Hmmm.

 

[Evil Sports]

Just Do it, its the greatest thing to have a nice comfy boat that fishes. We have guys fishing while the girls are drinking so all are happy. If the hinges go bad I will replace them. Thats short $$ but theres things you can can do to help them.

 

[HangOutdoors]

@Evil Sports Do you have some additional pictures such as the sides and top down. It also looks like you have some wing nuts on the lid. Could you elaborate? Is that for additional strength? Are they only on one side? Where did you run your power to, a port ?

How long of a shaft and how many lbs of thrust?

This looks fantastic, I am very interested.

 

[Evil Sports]

Those were to offer support for the hinges, they are not in use any more. There is power in the side, I will show a pic. Its a 60 shaft 24V 80# thrust. I highly recommend the motors with auto pilot function as you can set the motor to go in a direction and it tries to stay on track. You just adjust the speed and can pay attention to fishing not standing on a peddle all day. I have 2 dedicated trolling motor batteries and 1 house battery. A 3 bank Procharge onboard charger covers all of them. I spent a ton of time thinking and configuring this set up. I even had a center post fishing seat put in the front but it just seem to get in the way so its been deleted. Also had a small fish finder installed under one of the front jump seats to connect to the trolling motor, never use it.
Let me see if I can get more pics or a video this weekend.

 

[HangOutdoors]

That would be awesome. I have a triple bank pro mariner that I never installed but got it for this scenario. I was also thinking about a front seat, wasn't sure if it would just be a pain.

 

[Evil Sports]

Yeah skip the front seat, It totally clogs up the bow and becomes a storage issue. I also removed my front cushions, had starboard deck pieces cut to fit and covered them with a form of seadek so you can stand on either side of the bow and fish. I will show that mod as well. Who ever gets my boat will have virtually brand new front seats. And get the Trolling motor that has a remote, its fun fishing off the back of the boat and being able to control it from there.

 

[HangOutdoors]

Definitely looking forward to those pictures and open to any additional advice or gotchya's I am encounter.

 

[HangOutdoors]

This is the trolling motor I have been eyeing.

https://minnkotamotors.johnsonoutdoors.com/freshwater-trolling-motors/terrova

 

[Evil Sports]

Thats the exact one I have but 7 years older. Not sure you will ever need the sonar. I thought I would but there isn't really a good place for one up front. If I get a new one I will opt out of the sonar if I can and save that extra $$. If you plan to store rods in the ski locker the biggest I can fit is 6.3, not many good places to store rods out of the way. Im a big fan of these, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C3WRLBJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 to protect my seats and passengers from rods stored in the cabin.

 

[Evil Sports]

As promised,

 

[Justin2431]

What is the correct shaft length for a AR195 everyone is using?

 

[Evil Sports]

60 inch shaft is what I use

 

[biffdotorg]

As promised,

Very nice work. That's a slick mod, and as mentioned, little change to the boat overall.

 

[biffdotorg]

This is the trolling motor I have been eyeing.

https://minnkotamotors.johnsonoutdoors.com/freshwater-trolling-motors/terrova

Not that I recommend it, but you should see the amount of guys that fish solo up here with those motors.

To avoid the hassle of tying up their boat at the landing, they literally hop off, and run their $50k-$80K fishing boats out away from the landing and spot lock them with the remote while they go get their truck! That a liability, but they are not clogging up the landing.

Then they run them back to the dock, jump on, fire up the big motor and power load.