Rudder For Pond Prowler...help?

[CC268]

Hey guys, I have read through a good portion of the Bass Raider thread and there are about 50 different designs for rudders...I am just wondering if there is way I can make one out of materials that I can pick up from Home Depot? I don't really have any scrap metal or old trolling motors to work with. If someone knows of some materials I can pick up from Home Depot and make a decent rudder out of that would be greatly appreciated! Also...how long should the shaft be as well as the actual rudder?

 

Offtopic...but any recommendation on a battery for 55lb Min Kotta? 1 or two batteries?

[aceman387]

It would be a lot easier if you could find an old trolling motor and take the top and bottom off it and you would have the shaft and the clamp to make a rudder out of. The clamp is especially helpful. If your not in a hurry i would try garage sales or craigslist for an old motor. Have you looked on you tube? maybe someone has a video on a homemade rudder.

[Bomber7]

Hey guys, I have read through a good portion of the Bass Raider thread and there are about 50 different designs for rudders...I am just wondering if there is way I can make one out of materials that I can pick up from Home Depot? I don't really have any scrap metal or old trolling motors to work with. If someone knows of some materials I can pick up from Home Depot and make a decent rudder out of that would be greatly appreciated! Also...how long should the shaft be as well as the actual rudder?

 

Offtopic...but any recommendation on a battery for 55lb Min Kotta? 1 or two batteries?

I bought a mounting bracket for a Minn Kota TM off ebay for like $30 and I'm glad I did cause several times while fishing shallow water I have had to tilt it up cause it was hitting bottom.  Not sure how something that doesn't tilt would work if in shallows.  Anyway I tried to find it again on ebay with no luck but here is a site that does have them - a few more bucks then what I paid but just thought I would provide it anyway.

 

The steal pipe I used I got at Lowe's and the sheet metal I got from a friend - but I have seen where someone used a piece of plexiglass - I'm sure you can get that at Lowe's or Home Depot as well. 

 

http://www.northlandmarine.com/MinnKotaTransomMountBracket07.htm

[Jim Mac]

I agree with trying to find an old trolling motor. I cut the motor off a dead trolling motor, and bolted a piece of plywood thru the shaft. Works great.

[Fishes in trees]

If you can't go to Home Depot or Lowe's and find enough parts to put together a pond boat rudder, you need to turn in your Macgyver card.

[CC268]

I got an old Minn Kota trolling motor from my buddy and used the mount and then bought an oar and mounted it to it. It looks really clean, I will post a picture of it tomorrow.