Recessed trolling motor installation

[BoatSquirrel]

Anyone ever try try to cut a trolling motor recess into the front deck of a Tracker Aluminum?  Thanks for any tips guys.

[Functional]

For the foot pedal? Just did it about a month or 2 ago. Retained full use of the 8' rod tubes also on the 175 tracker and I modified up front to gain 8+" of deck space.

 

What are you specifically needing to know.

[BoatSquirrel]

Yes, modifying to recess the foot pedal.  I have a 185 and wanted to be sure there was not anything under the deck that could possibly be damaged by cutting a hole in it!

[Functional]

The first 2 photos are of whats under there. The fully stripped hull is from a guy on another forum, the one with carpet is mine after the cut. You will have to pull off the angled front panel and drill out the 2 rivets holding the rod tubes. I also drilled out the 2 rivets holding them in from the rod locker end and removed them completely. I had to cut mine down I believe 3" but after installing the tray I was able to reinstall them and push them to the sides of the tray and re-rivet everything in place. The carpeted rod tray you see through the hold I had to wack with a rubber mallet just to bend the "ears" off to the side more for the tray to fit low enough. I havent had any issues with rod storage even with the tray in though.

 

These photos in the next post are of the full mods I did to the front to gain the 8" or so that angled piece takes up. 8" doesnt sound like a lot but on my 175 when you put the tray in you are practically standing in the middle of the deck or further back...very little room.

And the remaining... You can buy Kydex sheets fair cheap, cut easy with a razor and bending (similar to drywall) and hold up to the weather very well. Under the angle piece that comes on the tracker they skimped on plywood and left about a 2" gap around the whole nose under that piece. I made a filler piece and screwed it down to the 2 aluminum angle supports. I could have done a better job with the filler piece but I plan on redoing the carpet in the next year or so.

 

[BoatSquirrel]

Very nice- and a Garmin trolling motor too!  A+ job!

[gim]

Looks real good @Functional.

[FishinBuck07]

I put one in the deck of my 170 and didn't have any issues.  Best thing I did to that boat, so much strain off my back afterwards.

[TnRiver46]

4 hours ago, Functional said:

The first 2 photos are of whats under there. The fully stripped hull is from a guy on another forum, the one with carpet is mine after the cut. You will have to pull off the angled front panel and drill out the 2 rivets holding the rod tubes. I also drilled out the 2 rivets holding them in from the rod locker end and removed them completely. I had to cut mine down I believe 3" but after installing the tray I was able to reinstall them and push them to the sides of the tray and re-rivet everything in place. The carpeted rod tray you see through the hold I had to wack with a rubber mallet just to bend the "ears" off to the side more for the tray to fit low enough. I havent had any issues with rod storage even with the tray in though.

 

These photos in the next post are of the full mods I did to the front to gain the 8" or so that angled piece takes up. 8" doesnt sound like a lot but on my 175 when you put the tray in you are practically standing in the middle of the deck or further back...very little room.

And the remaining... You can buy Kydex sheets fair cheap, cut easy with a razor and bending (similar to drywall) and hold up to the weather very well. Under the angle piece that comes on the tracker they skimped on plywood and left about a 2" gap around the whole nose under that piece. I made a filler piece and screwed it down to the 2 aluminum angle supports. I could have done a better job with the filler piece but I plan on redoing the carpet in the next year or so.

 

That’s slicker’n a peeled onion 

[Functional]

Thanks guys, didnt want to show off, just wanted to provide him with the option before he cuts a hole in his deck and its harder to go back!

 

Agreed 100% though, worth every effort to do a recessed box. Fishing has been significantly more comfortable. Do it and dont look back.