Mounting a front trolling motor question?

[endless]

I just bought me a bow mount trolling motor and I'm not sure how to go about mounting it. Do you have to mount it with the motor center with the boat or can you mount it close to the side of the boat. Thanks in advance.

[slonezp]

If I understand you correctly you are asking if the motor is mounted straight  in line with the bow or on either side of the centerpoint? Normaly the motor is mountrd on the port(left) side of the bow, and when the shaft is deployed it will be center starboard(center right) of the centerpoint of the bow.

[endless]

Here's my boat do I have to mount it like this or can I mount it along the side the boat like the second pic where the paint is.

[slonezp]

The problem with mounting it off to the side is you're going to have difficulty with the boat tracking straight. It will take alot more effort than if the prop is centered with the hull.

[slonezp]

I see you're limited on space. Is it possible to fabricate some type of mount and mount the motor at a 22 degree angle from the bow rather than a 45 degree which is what you're proposing.

[Catt]

The problem with mounting it off to the side is you're going to have difficulty with the boat tracking straight. It will take alot more effort than if the prop is centered with the hull.

That is a complete myth

It's no different than mounting it on the transom next to your big motor, your boat will still track straight.

[Hot Rod]

Just an observation, those pictures with the motor off to the side are mounted on larger/deeper boats.  I'd be concerned mounting on the side of the OP boat may cause it to list to the side unless there was some sort of counter balance thru weight distribution of gear/occupants or the like.  Just food for thought.

[ksboy]

Looks to me like it almost wants to go at the side where you drew the rectangle. In any case with a boat that size and with a depth like that one has, I would think your challenge would be ruttering it. Seems to me it would be like those 2 man FG boats with the motor in the front.

I don't know, just my 2 cents worth.

[Hamby]

Looks to me like it almost wants to go at the side where you drew the rectangle. In any case with a boat that size and with a depth like that one has, I would think your challenge would be ruttering it. Seems to me it would be like those 2 man FG boats with the motor in the front.

I don't know, just my 2 cents worth.

This is always something i wondered about too. On my 14ft aluminum v hull, the boat is way too hard to control without the motor in the water. The back end swings out and if i try to correct it, it just goes the other way. I have to use the main motor as a rudder. My boat is longer, but i bet it would be like trying to keep an office chair straight when you're racing down the hallway. 

Try it out, but if you have problems with the boat tracking straight, then add some sort of rudder.

[bass or bass ?]

Here's my mounting setup.

[CWB]

I would try to mount it so when it is deployed it is as close to the center as possible. There are many other variables to consider. Do you have a boat cover it needs to fit under? Will stowing it or deploying it interfere with the front running light or graph? Will it be convenient to raise and lower without straining yourself or falling out of the boat? Consider all variables and remember-

measure twice, cut once!

Good luck.

[J Francho]

Personally, I'd mount it where you're least likely to smash it on a dock or ramp when its in the stowed position.