trolling motor mods

[Jon P.]

<p> I was watching a video on YouTube on modifying a transom mount motor to work as a bow mount motor by opening up the head of the motor and rotating the prop so it was backwards and then just attaching it to the bow. But I was wondering if it would be possible to reverse a foot control bow mount to be used on the back of a kayak. Now while I do not personally own a bow mount motor I was hoping that someone out there who did could tell me if my idea was possible. </p>

[tstraub]

Every foot controlled bow mount motor I've used is capable of turning at least 360 degrees because they don't have a reverse speed like tiller operated motors.  To back up you just turn all the way left or right until the motor is pointing backwards.  So I don't know why you would need to modify anything.  If you have room and the boat is rated for the extra weight of motor and battery. I've never seen anyone do it but I don't see a reason it would not work.

[J Francho]

Every kayak I've seen rigged with a TM uses the foot pegs to steer.  Usually the system is modified using parts from a rudder system.

See these: http://bassyaks.com/

[Jon P.]

On ‎8‎/‎22‎/‎2016 at 1:08 PM, tstraub said:

Every foot controlled bow mount motor I've used is capable of turning at least 360 degrees because they don't have a reverse speed like tiller operated motors.  To back up you just turn all the way left or right until the motor is pointing backwards.  So I don't know why you would need to modify anything.  If you have room and the boat is rated for the extra weight of motor and battery. I've never seen anyone do it but I don't see a reason it would not work.

the problem with just rotating the motor backwards is that the motor looses weedlessness and hydrodynamics. And while that would work it wouldn't be optimal.

On ‎8‎/‎22‎/‎2016 at 1:12 PM, J Francho said:

Every kayak I've seen rigged with a TM uses the foot pegs to steer.  Usually the system is modified using parts from a rudder system.

See these: http://bassyaks.com/

the problem with rudder control is that I can't control it while standing.

presently my idea is to use an ascend kayaks FS128T and build a small aluminum platform on the back to hold the bow mount motor and a larger aluminum platform with a casting brace on the front for casting and mounting the foot controller. My only issue is that I need the power cable pointing into the boat and the motor head facing back. That requires me to either rotate the head of the motor or rotate that case that the power cable is housed in.

[J Francho]

OK, dumb question time...can you stand one footed in that boat?

I'm not sure what you plan is going to work the way you want it too.  Usually, we would use proplulsion to get to and from spots, and then use traditional methods for boat control while fishing - drag chain, anchor, leash and brush clip, skulling paddle, etc.

[Jon P.]

15 hours ago, J Francho said:

OK, dumb question time...can you stand one footed in that boat?

I'm not sure what you plan is going to work the way you want it too.  Usually, we would use proplulsion to get to and from spots, and then use traditional methods for boat control while fishing - drag chain, anchor, leash and brush clip, skulling paddle, etc.

15 hours ago, J Francho said:

OK, dumb question time...can you stand one footed in that boat?

I'm not sure what you plan is going to work the way you want it too.  Usually, we would use proplulsion to get to and from spots, and then use traditional methods for boat control while fishing - drag chain, anchor, leash and brush clip, skulling paddle, etc.

the kayak I am looking at is an ascend FS128T, the YouTube videos I have seen boast spectacular stability. Definitely enough for one foot standing. But if it is a lil wobbly I can always add outrigger pontoons.

["hamma"]

electric controlled trolling motors have a wire instead of a cable. also there is one called the bulldog that is designed to be a foot controlled transom mount. 

I think the point other posters are trying to impart is that kayaks arent designed to be "stand up" platforms. At times, even while standing on a large deck, when you turn on that motor your balance is thrown off.  And you are grateful for that extra deckspace, saving you from a dip in the lake.

[J Francho]

51 minutes ago, Keith "Hamma" Hatch said:

I think the point other posters are trying to impart is that kayaks arent designed to be "stand up" platforms.

Not true, at all.  However, with over a decade of experience standing and fishing in kayaks, I have serious doubts about what the OP plans.  Most good stand up fishing kayaks have what's called "secondary stablility," meaning, you have to lean into one side or the other to gain the stability benefits of the hull design.  In others, like my Commander 140, stability is inherent in the double tunnel hull.  The FS128T, while a stable platform and standing can be achieved, does not benefit from either design.

 

[Further North]

On 8/22/2016 at 3:08 PM, tstraub said:

Every foot controlled bow mount motor I've used is capable of turning at least 360 degrees because they don't have a reverse speed like tiller operated motors.  To back up you just turn all the way left or right until the motor is pointing backwards.  So I don't know why you would need to modify anything.  If you have room and the boat is rated for the extra weight of motor and battery. I've never seen anyone do it but I don't see a reason it would not work.

You'd have to learn to steer opposite of where you wanted to go.  Left would be right and right would be left...I think...

It'd be easier for the OP to just buy a Predator with the motor already in it...probably cheaper, too.

["hamma"]

22 hours ago, J Francho said:

Not true, at all.  However, with over a decade of experience standing and fishing in kayaks, I have serious doubts about what the OP plans.  Most good stand up fishing kayaks have what's called "secondary stablility," meaning, you have to lean into one side or the other to gain the stability benefits of the hull design.  In others, like my Commander 140, stability is inherent in the double tunnel hull.  The FS128T, while a stable platform and standing can be achieved, does not benefit from either design.

 

I never would have thought a kayak had that capability, at least I've never seen anyone standing in one, I have a flatbottom canoe I used to stand in, but a kayak? learn something new everyday

I just read my post and I think the transom mounted foot controlled trolling motor is called a bullfrog, not bulldog. And I believe its made by motorguide,... Guess Im just wrong all around in this thread,.... lol   gotta love pain meds

[Jon P.]

On 9/7/2016 at 10:22 PM, Further North said:

You'd have to learn to steer opposite of where you wanted to go.  Left would be right and right would be left...I think...

It'd be easier for the OP to just buy a Predator with the motor already in it...probably cheaper, too.

in the case of steering you would just switch around the positive and negative leads

also I would just like to remind everyone that I just need to know whether or not the motor head can be rotated. an assembly manual or a disassembly diagram of a bow mount would be extremely helpful. as for balance, turning issues, cost, etc. I can deal with that mess later. I just have the one simple question to answer.

[J Francho]

Owners manual contains schematic diagrams.  You only have to go to their website:

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Support/Owner-Manuals/Maxxum/

[Jon P.]

On 9/12/2016 at 7:56 AM, J Francho said:

Owners manual contains schematic diagrams.  You only have to go to their website:

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Support/Owner-Manuals/Maxxum/

thank you

[Jon P.]

just after a brief look over of the exploded parts diagram I'm 99.9% sure i can disassemble it without any damage to me or the motor and reassemble it backwards.

I suppose this concludes this topic, and to all of you, good fishing.

[Further North]

I'm sure you can...but I'd guess you can kiss any warranty goodbye...especially if you go with trying to switch polarity...and I don't think the systems work that way.

You'd have to - at the very least - re-wire the foot pedal.  I'd bet that'd kill the warranty too.

[Jon P.]

1 hour ago, Further North said:

I'm sure you can...but I'd guess you can kiss any warranty goodbye...especially if you go with trying to switch polarity...and I don't think the systems work that way.

You'd have to - at the very least - re-wire the foot pedal.  I'd bet that'd kill the warranty too.

oh well, probably going to nab one off craigslist anyway

[Fishing Rhino]

On ‎8‎/‎22‎/‎2016 at 4:08 PM, tstraub said:

Every foot controlled bow mount motor I've used is capable of turning at least 360 degrees because they don't have a reverse speed like tiller operated motors.  To back up you just turn all the way left or right until the motor is pointing backwards.  So I don't know why you would need to modify anything.  If you have room and the boat is rated for the extra weight of motor and battery. I've never seen anyone do it but I don't see a reason it would not work.

Well, it's possible to operate it that way, but, keep in mind that when used as designed forward is at the middle of the motors rotation, while to back up, the motor is near the left or right limit of its steering rotation.

[Further North]

...stupid question: Why not bow mount the motor?

[J Francho]

Never seen it done on a kayak.

[Jon P.]

On ‎9‎/‎14‎/‎2016 at 7:20 AM, Further North said:

...stupid question: Why not bow mount the motor?

the combined peddle and bowmount bracket would take up too much space on the deck to stand comfortably

[Further North]

3 minutes ago, Jon P. said:

the combined peddle and bowmount bracket would take up too much space on the deck to stand comfortably

Thanks Jon...I'm not (or haven't been) a Kayak guy.  Bought an Ocean Kayak Predator XL recently, and that one, with the motor centered in the bottom, obviously doesn't need any modifications to be powered.

[J Francho]

^^^ Sweet boat!

[Further North]

11 minutes ago, J Francho said:

^^^ Sweet boat!

It is...It's really well thought out.

...but I don't think I like it...or rather...I don't care for fishing that way...feels like it's not for me.

[J Francho]

OK has strong resale value, so no worries there, if it's not for you.

[SWMIBASSER]

On August 22, 2016 at 2:46 PM, Jon P. said:

<p> I was watching a video on YouTube on modifying a transom mount motor to work as a bow mount motor by opening up the head of the motor and rotating the prop so it was backwards and then just attaching it to the bow. But I was wondering if it would be possible to reverse a foot control bow mount to be used on the back of a kayak. Now while I do not personally own a bow mount motor I was hoping that someone out there who did could tell me if my idea was possible. </p>

There is a video of this on YouTube. Super simple if I remember right. Just reversing two wires for right/left. 

 

I intended to do this on my boat actually. I'm going to shorten the shaft on a used power drive and install it on the transom of my 17'Vhull along with a Maxxum up front