trouble mounting trolling motor to bow of aluminum v hull

[NJ Tom]

I recenly purchased a 1988 14' aluminum v hull Sea Nymph and it came with a 36" shaft transom trolling motor. I turned the head of the motor around to mount to the bow and bought the bass pro jon boat bow trolling motor mount that clamps to the rails. The shaft is to short, So I bought a minnkota endura 42" shaft and tried that. when 2 people in the boat it still barely makes it. Since the mount holds the motor like 8inches above the rail I am trying to find a way to clamp the motor to the rail. Has anyone done this and if so how? Pics? I'm a newbee to the forum but have been reading up for awhile, and know if this can be done I will find my answer here. Thanks for any input

[Dave D]

Is this the mount that you bought?

I'd say this might be the way to go if you can return the one you bought. 45" shaft.

[Wayne P.]

If the motor mount has enough "bite" to go over the rail (gunnel) just clamp it directly to the boat hull and use a piece of wood (about 1" thick) between the hull and clamps.

[NJ Tom]

Dave it looks kind of like this one. Its made by Minnkota. My boats bow looks just like the picture. There is only about a 4" or so aluminum plate on the front. I don't have a deck to mount a bow mount TM.

[Calcutta]

You need to find a guy that can weld aluminum and have him weld up a piece that will rivet to you boat with a piece that sticks up high enough for the trolling motor to clamp to.(Or let the welder come up with a design)

[TeamBerettaGold]

Yep, Calcutta has the right idea.  I had a buddy that had to do the same thing to his boat.  He took, I think 1/4" aluminum plating and made a 14" piece shaped like the "V" up front, and welded a 1" wide aluminum strap along both sides of the new "V".  Then he drilled 3 holes on each side of the V, through the 1" wide piece, and 3 holes on each side of the gunnel.  Then he used some 2" or 2.5" or maybe even 3" bolts and some nylon lock nuts and fastened it to the front. He then mounted his trolling motor to the new piece. Works perfect, and is very sturdy.  Looks like it was stock on his boat.  Sorry if this is kinda confusing.

[NJ Tom]

Yeah a friend also told me to have an aluminum plate welded to the bow. I may have to find someone who can weld aluminum. Then I can put a bow mount TM up there. Thank you all for your input. Greatly appreciated