Trolling Motor mount designs for fish cat pontoons?

[CBR]

I am looking for some slick designs for a motor mount for my fish cat pontoon. I am purchasing a minn kota 40 lb thrust trolling motor end of this week and would like to throw something together quick like.

Suggestions?
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[TubeDude]

[url "javascript: addTag('cool')"][cool][/url][#0000ff]I'm sure you have seen the factory made jobs on some of the new craft. You can make a serviceable substitute with angled metal or screwed-together wood. Measure to fit across your frame, behind your seat, and lash it to the frame with nylon rope. No need to drill and screw into the frame. Just make some holes in the fabbed platform and motor mount and tie it down. That will allow you to try it out and maybe come up with a better design as you go along.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Next come the twin 250's. Right?[/#0000ff]
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[CBR]

I have been going over some concept designs, I think I might just be able to pull it off. Will post my solution once done. I would prefer metal over wood just because of the water breaking down wood part. I know you can seal it but does it really make a long term solution?

Heh, next step actually is mounting a good fish/depth finder.
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[TubeDude]

[url "javascript: addTag('cool')"][cool][/url][#0000ff]Wood is easier to find and to work with, for a prototype design. It should not get too wet, unless you are doing it wrong. And, there are lots of good wood sealers that would hold up for many trips. Just be sure to do the sealing after all the cutting, sanding, drilling, screwing, etc.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have been using wood based rod racks on float tubes for years. I coat the wood with three or four coats of urethane after assembly and they hold up fine, and they are constantly in the water.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]By using wood, you can also custom build a battery box to lash the battery into.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Let us know when you are ready for electronics. We have lots of past threads on that subject, with lots of pics of different ways to mount them.[/#0000ff]
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[CBR]

Well, off the bat with electronics, one question is, if I have a fish/depth finder, and a trolling motor, are there batteries that will hold up with both running off 1 12 volt? Or will I have to have 2 12 volts? Also what batteries are the best buy for best quality?
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[TubeDude]

[url "javascript: addTag('cool')"][cool][/url][#0000ff]Off the bat, the simple answer is that you will probably want two batteries. Have a good deep cycle marine 12 volt for running the electric motor. Then, have a 6 or 7 amp/hour SLA battery for running the sonar. That way, you can take the sonar on trips where you may not want the trolling motor. You can also use it for ice fishing.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You can run both sonar and trolling motor off the same 12 volt system. Bassers do it all the time. Just be sure that if you have a sonar hooked up to it that you install the fuse ahead of the display unit. That is not always necessary with a smaller SLA battery.[/#0000ff]
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[Henerysfork]

This is my first post, but I have been lurking for some time getting all the info for mods and how too's for my toons. This has been a great group and alot of help, even if now one new they helped so much. A big thanks [laugh].
CBR I have two toons, on the TU colardo I used a min kota 46 thrust, bucause I needed the long shaft to clear the pontoon. On my FC cougar I use the min kota 30 thrust.All I ever use is 1 speed and is ideal for slow trol. The 30 will get 14 hrs. on 1 speed. I use a group 27 deepcycle bat. Alittle over kill, but keeps from getting into trouble. I use the bottem line fishing buddy sonar. It has every thing I need, and it uses three c-size bats. Ive' put about 40 hours on it and they are still good. Hope this will give you some Ideas
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[Stoneyman]

Jedburton made a really nice trolling motor mount out of two pieces of wood held together with hinges and bolted onto his pontoon with u-bolts. The thing i like about Jed's design is it's simple and universal and really better then anything i've seen on the market, and psst...cheap $10.00. His post is in the float tube forum down the first page a little.
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[TubeDude]

[url "javascript: addTag('cool')"][cool][/url][#0000ff]Hey newbie, welcome aboard. Good to have you register and drop in. By the sound of your handle you are either from my home state (Idaho) or spend some quality time on the waters up there.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Always appreciate helpful input, and we hope we can always help out when anyone comes here for assistance.[/#0000ff]
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[tubeN2]

Henerysfork, Hi and welcome to the BFT message boards and welcome especially to the Float Tubing forum.

We are always in the market for newbies coming aboard and being able to know that our info is helping others.

Please feel free to drop us a report from time to time. Once again, Welcome[url "javascript: addTag('cool')"][cool][/url]
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[Stoneyman]

What brand is that battery your getting 14hours on? i'm looking for something similiar to your setup.
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[Henerysfork]

Thanks for the welcome TubeDude
I from Utah and sorry to say I haven't fished that Henerys Fork yet. I picked my name from a place I have camped,fished and hunted for 30+ yrs. Its on the north slops of the Uintas. Called Henerys fork drainage. Its just east of China Meadows.
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[Henerysfork]

Stoney, I'm useing an interstate battery group 27 deep cycle. On top of the Minn Kota 30 and 46 there is a graph showing approx hrs use for each speed setting.I use 1 speed 99% of the time. I have used 5 speed to make a mad dash to shore for a relief stop [] I was useing a car battery and as luck would happen it, it died right when a storm showed up. I was about 1/2 mile from my launch point. That is a lot of rowing against the wind and chop. The rv batt weights about 60lbs,but well worth it.
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[Stoneyman]

thanks for the info henerysfork. disreguard the pm i sent you.
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[CBR]

Thanks for all the info here. Has given me some great ideas. I have decided to get a Minn Kota 48 pound thrust that has the extension arm on it, and also have built a nice little motor block that still needs to get painted so it matches my pontoons colors, I will post pics once I have finished and mounted it. Now to build a waterproof box for 2 12 volt batteries to mount behind my seat where the stand platform is.

cheers
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Good luck and have fun. I am looking forward to seeing what you come up with. A couple of those Cougars are on our wish list for Santy Claus.[/#0000ff]
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[Jedburton]

Here are some pics of my setup. I love mounting it this way because it is very maneuverable and I haven't had any problems yet,
jed
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