How do I mount Minn Kota Terrova on 14' V-Hull?

[Quarry Man]

I want to mount my trolling motor onto my 14' Smoker Craft Big Fisherman. My trolling motor will likely be an 80lb Minn Kota Terrova with a 45" shaft. I will be using a MKA - 21 Quick Release Bracket. My boat is similar to the one shown below. It has a metal plate in the front like the picture. I removed it for the time being. I want to make a platform out of plywood and carpet it, just like the image, but leave the plate off. I also want to mount the motor parallel to the left side of the boat so it will be of the way when I am casting. I am considering mounting a fish finder or two (7" and 9" units) so I would like to have room for those as well as somewhere to tie off to boat docks. My problem is that the gunnel (I think that's the name) is not level (flat), and the bottom of the gunnel (I think that's the name) is curved. This will make it hard to bolt into place. 

 

I would like to use plywood, like the rest of my boat will be, as that will look the best, but may consider using aluminum and riveting or welding it into place. How do you recommend I do this and why?

[slonezp]

If you can move the navigational light back, you can parallel the port(left) gunwale with the base and when the motor is deployed it will be at the nose on the starboard(right) side

[Quarry Man]

1 hour ago, slonezp said:

If you can move the navigational light back, you can parallel the port(left) gunwale with the base and when the motor is deployed it will be at the nose on the starboard(right) side

Thanks for the help, I meant to say that I am looking for help on building the actual mount for the trolling motor, the triangle platform at the bow, hope this makes sense

[redmexican5081]

I just took a tm mounting platform off of my boat because it was rotted.  The previous owner had carpeted it and left it exposed to the elements.  It was installed over the aluminum bow plate and through bolted to the rails along the sides of the boat much like the one in your picture.  I plan on putting one back on and doing it the same way but I will make it out of the proper materials.  I believe it was 1/2" marine plywood and it definitely had a bow/curve to it where it was bolted to the sides.

[Quarry Man]

Can I bolt it even though the bottom isn't flat?

[slonezp]

You can either use lag bolts or thru bolts. Thru bolts will be a more solid solution. You may need to stack a couple washers. Use a lockwasher and loctite on the threads

[VolFan]

I think for for what you're asking, you need a spacer under the platform, either by stacking plywood or whatever to make it rock solid. Pics of your actual boat would help a lot. Do you have a front casting platform or no?

[Further North]

On 8/12/2018 at 6:28 PM, slonezp said:

If you can move the navigational light back, you can parallel the port(left) gunwale with the base and when the motor is deployed it will be at the nose on the starboard(right) side

That's what I'd do.

[Quarry Man]

23 hours ago, VolFan said:

I think for for what you're asking, you need a spacer under the platform, either by stacking plywood or whatever to make it rock solid. Pics of your actual boat would help a lot. Do you have a front casting platform or no?

I don't have a casting deck built yet. Cant figure out how to upload images. I know where to put the actual motor, but am having trouble figuring out how to make the platform.

[Bdnoble84]

Im going to do the same thing to my little 14ft alumacraft. Im debating between aluminum pop rivets or aluminum self tappers fastened to the gunwale. I was going to run a couple 2x2s underneath to stiffen it up. Not sure if this is the best way to do it but that was the route i was thinking i would go. Not sure if i can mention other forums on here but tinboats.com has a ton of builds like we are doing. Great resource for that sort of thing. If this isnt kosher i will remove.

[Quarry Man]

On 8/17/2018 at 9:37 PM, Bdnoble84 said:

Im going to do the same thing to my little 14ft alumacraft. Im debating between aluminum pop rivets or aluminum self tappers fastened to the gunwale. I was going to run a couple 2x2s underneath to stiffen it up. Not sure if this is the best way to do it but that was the route i was thinking i would go. Not sure if i can mention other forums on here but tinboats.com has a ton of builds like we are doing. Great resource for that sort of thing. If this isnt kosher i will remove.

What trolling motor are you going to use? And are you going to mount electronics on the platform as well?

[Bdnoble84]

I’m trying to figure out trolling motor as noted in my recent post. My buddy wants to sell me a mg 55lb for 100$. I might take him up on it, gotta see how long shaft is. I know for a fact a 70lb would be better for the river fishing i want to do as suggested by Scott F. but ill make it work for that price. I only plan on being in this boat another year or 2. I would like a second depthfinder but we will see how my budget lines up.