Trolling motor AND split bow rails?

[hogtown_usa]

When I get my 238DLV, I would like to have rails and a trolling motor mounted on the bow. I want the trolling motor to be offset to one side so in doesn't take up the whole front deck when stowed. Has anyone come up with an idea for modifying one of the bow rails to clear a trolling motor. I'd hate to just cut a section out as this would significantly weaken the rail and also look like crap. My idea is to have a small hinged section in the rail that will swing out of the way when stowing or deploying the motor. When the motor is not being moved, the hinged section would lock back in place thus restoring the structural integrity and the good looks.

I hope I described that okay without losing anything between my brain and the keyboard clonk. This may be a challenge for Martin Marine Design. Any thoughts, anyone?

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

By putting a hinge the structure integrity is gone.
How about order rails without the front return towards the center of the bow?

[hogtown_usa]

My idea was to cut a section out of the "front return to center of the bow". Maybe 6 inches or so. Replace the cut piece with one that hinges on one end and some sort of locking mechanism on the other. When closed and "locked" the rail would be strong again.

Perhaps when I get some time, I'll model up the concept in CAD and post a picture. If I get the boat first, then I'll post a real picture! ;D


009 I just looked at Ray Martin's DLV bow rails in his ebay store. They don't extend toward the center of the bow as far as the factory rails do. Looking at the photos, looks like they may work (and might be cheaper and better quality too!). thumbsup

[Dave]

Raymond (MartinMarine) is very active and helpful on this site and I don't think it's just because he advertises here. He's genuinely concerned about customer satisfaction and has proven he will do what it takes to customize to your requirements, using his experience and skills and your (or his) designs to get you what you need/desire. He communicates well, keeps in touch, and has one of the shortest lead times I've ever seen for custom work.

Dave

[Big Will]

hogtown

I think I can see it.

[lakebiker]

The pic on the C.S. web site does not show bow rails and it looks damn good. No way would I spend a dime having them installed on that boat. Problem solved, leave em off. For the most part, they are just in the way most of the time. My worthless 2 cents.
012

[Dave]

I agree with lakebiker. I've thought about putting some on my skiff but I don't know where I'd put 'em without them being in the way of something I'd rather use the space for. However, they do look good ;D

Dave

[Big Will]

I have to have mine for tweedle and deedle, the two on the bow in the picture.

I had mine mounted straight on the starboard side of the bow light as seen in this picture.

Worked for us for a while but, I got tired of lifting the seat on and off to raise and lower theTM.

I remounted it later on a slight angle to just barely miss the seat (that's when I found the rot, but that's another story). I don't have a picture of that, but it worked good too.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q246/BiggWilll/fishing10-09-06-10-14066.jpg

Back in HS my wife and I lost a friend who fell over a boat's bow in a boating accident. Booze, boys, and boats a deadly combination.

I don't think she'd let me have a boat without rails. And, yes I would choose her over the boat. "Bacon and eggs this mornin' boys... bacon and eggs,"

[jzhjr]

I have a 238 with rails. I straightened the port LH side while still mounted with heat from a oxy / acetylene torch. The way I did it was by removing the forward bolt, then heating the bent area evenly, the aluminum softens real easy, getting it pretty close to how I estimated I needed it to remount further back. Then I removed the other bolts after it cooled off!! & choose the best hole line up I could find using the existing holes & remounted it. I think I still ended up drilling two new holes & filled the old holes with 5200.

Julio

[hogtown_usa]

I'm getting quotes now for my boat. I've decided to go with no rails. I'll probably go with custom rails later on if I decide I need them.

Philip

[Florida Marine]

I'll be modifying my bow rails (on my 2008 2480DLX) this week (3/10-3/15) to acccomadate a new M.Guide SW wireless. I'll post photos when completed, it will be simple but nice. Our shop, on a daily basis, modify's someones boat for something......