Trolling motor mounting on DLV

[al_e._gator]

Has anyone put a trolling motor on their DLV? What length shaft did you get? How did you mount it? Where did you mount the batteries? Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

[al_e._gator]

Well, I bought a Minn Kota Riptide Pro, 101lbs, 36VDC, with 62" shaft from Johnson Outdoors through Amazon,com. I don't know if it's ok to post prices here but it was cheaper than a 50" 71lb Motorguide costs at Bass Pro and it had free shipping. If anyone else is interested they only have two left and shipping is free. Now I have to figure out how to mount the thing. I haven't seen any info on mounting trolling motors on DLVs on this site and what I found on the MSn site wasn't encouraging or very helpful. If anyone here has mounted one of these on their DLV please give me some pointers.

[Harry]

Wish I could help you out gator, but I don't have one on my boat......

Is there any kind of mounting bracket that came with it? Maybe the manufacture of the motor has idea's ? 006

[al_e._gator]

I just ordered the motor yesterday and used free shipping so the delivery estimate is between Oct 3rd and 9th. Once I get it I'll have a better idea of what I'm facing. I found out, after i placed the order, that the Riptide "SE" line have compact bases and are designed for bay boats. It would be nice if Minn Kota made that information easier to find. Anyway, for as little as I paid for this motor I'll find a way to mount it or try to trade it for an SE. Even if I ended up with an 80lb motor I'd still come out ahead moneywise. When I get the motor mounted I'll post pictures.

[Harry]

Well what kind of deal $$ wise did you get ??

[al_e._gator]

I was leery of posting the price but since you asked and it's your board.... It was $649 delivered, plus another $30 credit for applying for and using the Amazon Visa that that I will never use again. So my total price was $619. They had two left at this price yesterday. Make sure you search for the Riptide PRO. There is another listing for that isn't the pro, that motor is $749. You have to click on "CLick here to see price" to see the price. (That was redundant wasn't it)

[Harry]

No problem, and not sure if thats a good price or a GREAT price, but if it helps our members get a deal that's GREAT !!

Thanks

[Shakespeare]

When I get the motor mounted I'll post pictures.


Hey Al... that would be great to see how you mount the troller. Inquiring minds want to know. ;D

[al_e._gator]

Hey Shakespeare. I'm originally from Salisbury NC and most of my family still lives in that area. Anyway, I received the trolling motor Friday and finally unboxed it last night. Boy, that thing is BIG! I just bought a quick release mount for it off of ebay from a guy in Wilmington NC because the mounting footprint is smaller and it should give me more mounting options. I have seen one picture of a trolling motor on a DLV and it was mounted on the right side deck rail and it folded straight back. I couldn't see how it was attached and couldn't find a way to set mine up like that and use all six standard mounting holes. I don't expect to have this motor on the boat for at least two weeks. I will plan this out carefully and only drill the minimum number of holes. One other thing I have noticed is that I will probably need to use some kind of blind mounting nuts because most of the area the bolt holes go over isn't accessible without removing the deck. I recommend that the next person to do this look at the SE models from Minn Kota since they have a smaller footprint and should be easier to install.

[mudduck]

I mounted a minnkota on my 198 on the front and just off center to the left. I have a fishing seat up front. You have to have a 4 inch high 6 in. wide alum. platform made to mount the back on. You can reach the bolts through the hatch on the front and also on the platform. Batteries and 2 post charger installed under front deck.

[Shakespeare]

Hey Shakespeare. I'm originally from Salisbury NC and most of my family still lives in that area. 

Yeah, Salisbury is just a roll down the hill from here. I ripped through there yesterday on my way to Bass Pro. While I was there I looked over all the trolling motors. It (a trolling motor) is on the list... is all I gotta say. Can't do it all at once [big sigh]. In the mean time I'll just live vicariously through you {very big grin}.

[koolj]

well Goosecreek Marine just mounted a minn kota riptide 80lb trust 60" shaft with the auto-pilot and co-pilot on it - my boat is a 198dlx - it is still there at the at Goosecreek if you are down that way and want to look at it - it is gonna be Thanksgiving before I get back to pick it up - they called yesterday and said it was ready for me when I got there - my father-in-law lives in Goosecreek Landing is the reason I chose them - they gave me a good deal as I had an on board charger installed as well - ask to speak to Charlie if you go by - my father-in-law went by and said they did an excellent job of the instalation - this was there first install on a Carolina Skiff but he has a Bay Runner as that what he sells and he has been rigging those for a while now - they have been good folks to deal with I cannot quote you exactly what they charged me as my in-laws paid for some of it as a gift - I know he was cheaper than other places I called and it was right next to where I fish out of most of the time - they are right there on 24 on the way to Morehead City - I bought my boat at Chatlee's and they was real close in the price quote but they are a 100 miles from my house and it was gonna take a little longer to get it done - Chatlee's has been real good to work with since I have had my boat as well but it is just out of my way - when I have used them for different things I just take 421 down instead of I 40 and US 70 - a little longer for me just an option I thought I would tell you about since I noticed some of you guys was in the Emerald Isle area and from piedmont, NC

[jadunn]

Does anyone have photos of a mounted troll motor on there DLV yet?

[koolj]

not a dlv but here is mine

[al_e._gator]

Does anyone have photos of a mounted troll motor on there DLV yet?


I finally got mine mounted but not wired yet. I took some pictures the other day but they weren't very good so I decided to take new ones before posting. Now, the boat is at the dealer for an oil leak so I don't know when I'll get new pictures. I'll try to post the ones I have tonight sometime.

[yellowdog]

I have a 238DLV with a m\Minn Kota TM mounted on it.

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj279/yellowdog7/DSC01556.jpg

Here's a shot of it deployed.

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj279/yellowdog7/DSC01607.jpg

This is the only picture I have with it stowed. I can take additional photos is you need to see different angles. Hope this helps.

[al_e._gator]

Here are the pics of my 60" Riptide Pro 101. Please forgive the dirty boat.

This is from inside the boat in the stowed position. The top of the head is almost even with the gunnel and the deck hatch has plenty of room to open. The motor is mounted to a minn kota quick disconnect mount. The riptide pro normally takes six mounting bolts but the correct quick release mount only takes four bolts. This greatly simplified installation. The front two bolts go through the bow lip and are mounted with an aluminum reinforcement plate underneath. The rear bolts go into the raised deck and are through bolted with fender washers accessed through the hole visible under the mount in this picture. This hole is where my marinco power connector and Lowes marine rated plastic electrical box plate will be mounted. One problem I had is the underside of the raised deck is not flat. the areas with tread surface on top are thicker than areas that don't have tread. I didn't know this when I started the project so one bolt is on the tread area and one is on the smooth. This drove using fender washers instead of a reinforcement plate on the rear mounting bolts. I may readdress this later but so far I don't see a problem when I try to flex the motor. After I've had it in the water I'll see if more reinforcement is needed.


http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh207/dwinecof/S2300011.jpg


This picture shows the motor stowed form outside the boat. I don't have a picture of it in the deployed position but with the built in bracket extension it put the motor almost directly on the centerline of the boat. The running light does not interfere with the motor but I may need a taller mast to ensure proper visibility at night

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh207/dwinecof/S2300013.jpg


Here is a closeup of the crude reinforcing plate under the bow lip. Somehow the measurements didn't transfer correctly so it's not as pretty as it could have been.

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh207/dwinecof/S2300014.jpg


This is a closeup of the mount showing the spacers I needed to get the removable mount off of the deck so it would be flat and not bind on the locking pin. They are made out of an old 1/2" poly cutting board I stole from the kitchen and drilled with a hole saw. The material is very similar to starboard and worked out well


http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh207/dwinecof/S2300016.jpg

Overall everything worked out good but if I had it to do again I would have put the motor on the port side instead and I would make sure that both rear mounting bolts went through the same type of deck area. If I hadn't got the RP Pro for a steal I would have bought the SE version instead since it is designed for bay boats and has a smaller mount. I think the SE mount would have made installation much easier. I recommend the long shaft for DLVs if you get a hand control model. With it set up like i have it now the prop is just below the level of my keel. When I get it all wire and test everything I'll post more information and pictures.

Sorry about the pic size, they are supposed to be all the same size but for some reason only the last picture is the right size. I'm afraid to reduce the size to 320 x 240 because i don't want to lose detail.

EDIT: Weird, my pics are all the right size now. I guess photobucket did something on their end.

[Loki]

Great info al_e._gator, thanks for posting it.

Mike