Trolling Motor Foot Pedal Recess Cover?

[tcbass]

I have a 2014 Stratos VLO with the factory manufactured recessed trolling motor foot pedal compartment. This is good for cable driven TMs, but not for electric ones like the Minn Kota Terrova or Ulterra that have the small directional/power buttons on the end of the footpedal. I use the small back buttons to control my Terrova because I find the foot pedal so much harder to use. I am short, and have small feet, so using the foot pedal is almost impossible. If it wasn't for Minn Kota's awesome foot pedal design with the small directional buttons and thrust button I wouldn't be able to use a TM.

The issue is if I put my Terrova's foot pedal in the compartment the smaller buttons are below the deck of the boat and can't be used. I ended up putting 2 pieces of 2x8' to lift the foot pedal enough to make it work. It works, but I was wondering if there was a more sophisticated solution to the problem. I searched the internet and didn't find anything.

Do any boat manufacturers or aftermarket companies make a Trolling Motor Foot Pedal recess cover so that it makes the recessed compartment flush with the rest of the deck?

[Ski213]

I would check with Stratos. I'm assuming it is a factory recess rather than something aftermarket that was cut in. I think Triton offered something to accomplish that. Stratos may also. 

[Ski213]

Is this something like you're looking for?

[tcbass]

11 minutes ago, Ski213 said:

Is this something like you're looking for?

Exactly!

[slonezp]

I would bet you can call Stratos and get one

[Ski213]

That particular picture is from a Ranger and the cover came from Ranger. Id imagine Stratos gets the same request from time to time. I really like that strap. I'm assuming that the pedal is not screwed down allowing you to move it around the deck when in use but secure it when running.

[gim]

When I bought my Ranger RT178 this spring, the salesman tried to sell me a Power Drive model with a goofy foot pedal that didn't fit well into the recessed area of the front deck.  I put a stop to that immediately.  It sat too low and didn't fit in there properly.  Most of the recessed areas in true bass boats are designed for a cable drive model like a Maxxum or Fortrex so obviously a different style isn't going to work very well.

[Scott F]

When buying a new boat, isn't the recessed area for a trolling motor pedal an option?

[A-Jay]

7 minutes ago, Scott F said:

When buying a new boat, isn't the recessed area for a trolling motor pedal an option?

Was for me.

A-Jay

[tcbass]

1 hour ago, Ski213 said:

That particular picture is from a Ranger and the cover came from Ranger. Id imagine Stratos gets the same request from time to time. I really like that strap. I'm assuming that the pedal is not screwed down allowing you to move it around the deck when in use but secure it when running.

 

Thanks. I emailed Stratos. Awaiting their reply.

[tcbass]

On August 23, 2016 at 6:50 PM, Ski213 said:

Is this something like you're looking for?

 

I emailed Stratos twice and haven't heard from them.  I also emailed a Stratos dealer and haven't heard from them either.

 

 

Do you know the exact name of the cover? I looked for a Ranger one too and couldn't find it when I looked. I haven't been able to find one in my searches for Stratos either.

 

Maybe a Ranger cover would fit in the Stratos recessed tray. 

[slonezp]

On ‎8‎/‎23‎/‎2016 at 7:44 PM, Scott F said:

When buying a new boat, isn't the recessed area for a trolling motor pedal an option?

It is an option and I know for a fact Lund and Ranger include the blank off

 

tcbass, forget emails, pick up the phone. Some company's have email boxes that never get looked at

[tcbass]

2 hours ago, slonezp said:

It is an option and I know for a fact Lund and Ranger include the blank off

 

tcbass, forget emails, pick up the phone. Some company's have email boxes that never get looked at

 

Thanks. I will have to call them. What is a blank off?

[slonezp]

9 hours ago, tcbass said:

 

Thanks. I will have to call them. What is a blank off?

The filler plate

[tcbass]

2 hours ago, slonezp said:

The filler plate

 

Is that the recess cover's official name? Maybe that's why I can't find it.

[slonezp]

2 hours ago, tcbass said:

 

Is that the recess cover's official name? Maybe that's why I can't find it.

I dont know what the official name is. Im a tradesman and blank off and filler plate are terms i use to describe a cover.

[J Francho]

Seems simple enough to make.

And yeah, it never ceases to amaze me how often people turn to email before calling.  For a business, email is time consuming and expensive.  Much easier to have a phone call and talk to a person that knows what you need.

And as far as whether it's option or not, it's moot.  Pretty sure tcbass bought the boat used.

[WRB]

Stratos Boats was purchased by BPS, the dealer may no longer exist.

There should be a after market supplier who makes the recessed well.

Tom

[Ski213]

I doubt the ranger one would fit.

I agree with above. Call rather than email if possible. Also, as said, it should be something fairly easy to fabricate. Hardest part would probably be matching the carpet.  

Try this number 615-797-4760.  You want to talk to Carol.  She is a go to for Stratos parts.  

 

 

[tcbass]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Stratos Boats was purchased by BPS, the dealer may no longer exist.

There should be a after market supplier who makes the recessed well.

Tom

 

I'm gonna try to call tomorrow. 

 

 

I've looked for aftermarket ones and haven't found anything. I haven't even found the Ranger one, and I know that that one exists.

[WRB]

Also try contacting EZ-Troll rodney@eztroll.com

They make the trays and may know of or make a cover?

Tom

[tcbass]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Also try contacting EZ-Troll rodney@eztroll.com

They make the trays and may know of or make a cover?

Tom

Thanks.

[J Francho]

How about a pic of your tray, with and without the pedal?

[RFSims]

Just make one out of plywood, seal with polyester resin and carpet.

[tcbass]