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Author Topic: Bow rail vs trolling motor  (Read 7246 times)

February 28, 2014, 07:46:25 PM
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Aquamaniac

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Bow rail vs trolling motor
« on: February 28, 2014, 07:46:25 PM »
Has anyone come up with a way to have your cake and eat it too????
I just hate to ponder removing or cutting up the bow rail on my '90 200 Osprey.
Yes, there is room in the transom to mount a trolling motor, but it seems it would not give the same control as one in the front.
Any creative solution????

February 28, 2014, 08:32:36 PM
Reply #1

Capt Matt

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Re: Bow rail vs trolling mmotor
« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2014, 08:32:36 PM »
Stern mount trolling motors just don't have the manoverability
What are the advantages of a bow rail, unless u have kids
Capt Matt
www.captmattmitchell.com
Light tackle sportfishing

March 01, 2014, 08:00:38 AM
Reply #2

MarshMarlowe196

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Re: Bow rail vs trolling mmotor
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2014, 08:00:38 AM »
One of the first things I did when I got my 19-6 (and my KW186) was remove the bow-rail and install a bow-mount troll motor.  I’m with Matt, I see no use for a bow-rail other than a partially effective kid fence, and maybe an extra place to tie off, but that’s what cleats are for.  I know when I was a kid, I saw a bow-rail as nothing more than something to hold on to so I could ride on the bow when the boat was underway, which is dangerous and illegal most places, but it was fun.  When people go to board a boat from the dock, they naturally want to board on the bow, and with the bow-rail in place you and your passengers will have some pucker moments.  A bow-rail also gets in the way if you like to throw the cast net.  Besides, these AS's have such pretty lines, and the bow rail takes away from that.

If you really want to keep the bow-rail and have a bow mount troll motor, the Minn Kota Powerdrive might work.  You can tilt the motor up before you retract it inboard, so you could maneuver it under the bow-rail this way.  This a freshwater designated troll motor though...
Key West 1720 / Yam C90

Sold: 1973 Aquasport 19-6

March 01, 2014, 09:51:34 AM
Reply #3

ceejkay

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Re: Bow rail vs trolling mmotor
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2014, 09:51:34 AM »
on an aquasport i dont see the point of a bow rail. my hydrasport on the other hand, i have almost fallen off the boat with it on the trailer with out the bow rail.

March 02, 2014, 12:23:30 AM
Reply #4

wingtime

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Re: Bow rail vs trolling mmotor
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2014, 12:23:30 AM »
on the 170, 19-6, and 222 there is no need for the bow rail.  I've never felt like I was going to fall off one...  And I think it would just be in the way... impede boarding etc.  

Now on my 245 Explorer its a different story..  the free board is much higher and on a trailer the ground is a LONG way down!
1998 Explorer w/ Etec 250


1987 170 w/ Evinrude 90

March 02, 2014, 06:40:45 AM
Reply #5

Aswaff400

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Re: Bow rail vs trolling mmotor
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2014, 06:40:45 AM »
i am for removing the bow rail, heres my trolling motor



and to solve the problem of moving the bow light, i took my LED light apart, and swapped sides, and mounted it upside down to the trolling motor, and since i have a quick connect base, i installed a plug so the TM  can be removed without cutting wires...

Aaron
1996 200 Osprey SOLD
1968 22-2 Flatback SOLD
1993 210 Explorer SOLD
1991 Fountain 31TE SOLD
1989 Fountain 12-meter SOLD
1992 Talon F-20 SOLD
2021 Fountain 38TE QUAD 400's

March 02, 2014, 07:22:06 AM
Reply #6

MarshMarlowe196

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Re: Bow rail vs trolling mmotor
« Reply #6 on: March 02, 2014, 07:22:06 AM »
Aaron's mod for the bow light looks good. I had a bow light, a vent, a cleat, and two anchor rode guides in my way, so I mounted my troll motor off to the side on the gunwale. Not an ideal location, but it worked

Key West 1720 / Yam C90

Sold: 1973 Aquasport 19-6

March 02, 2014, 09:06:47 AM
Reply #7

Capt. Bob

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Re: Bow rail vs trolling mmotor
« Reply #7 on: March 02, 2014, 09:06:47 AM »
Moved to Trolling Motor forum 2 March 2014
]
Capt. Bob
1991 210 Walkaround
2018 Yamaha 150 4 Stroke
"Reef or Madness IV"

March 27, 2014, 06:28:22 PM
Reply #8

Aquamaniac

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Re: Bow rail vs trolling mmotor
« Reply #8 on: March 27, 2014, 06:28:22 PM »
So for those of you who have removed rail and installed bow mounted trolling motor.....what would be the recommended shaft length of the trolling motor on a 200 Osprey? Threw a tape up there and looked like well over 4' for sure.  :shock:

March 27, 2014, 06:55:00 PM
Reply #9

Capt. Bob

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Re: Bow rail vs trolling mmotor
« Reply #9 on: March 27, 2014, 06:55:00 PM »
Don't know a damn thing about trolling motors but a search (that I do know) seems to lean toward an minimum of 60" for your install.

Good luck. :thumleft:
]
Capt. Bob
1991 210 Walkaround
2018 Yamaha 150 4 Stroke
"Reef or Madness IV"

March 29, 2014, 03:34:12 PM
Reply #10

Aquamaniac

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Re: Bow rail vs trolling mmotor
« Reply #10 on: March 29, 2014, 03:34:12 PM »
OK...hand me my stupid sticker....but have been pondering WHY transom mounted TM would be less maneuverable than bow mounted. One is pushing, one is pulling.....boat would be headed in same direction. With today's fancy remote controls, you could still be on casting deck and control transom mounted TM.
Thoughts?????

March 29, 2014, 04:01:27 PM
Reply #11

seabob4

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Re: Bow rail vs trolling mmotor
« Reply #11 on: March 29, 2014, 04:01:27 PM »
Tom, I not gonna say it's the same, but...

Say YOU are pushing a heavy object.  Now, pull the same object.  Which is easier? :wink:


Corner of 520 and A1A...

March 29, 2014, 04:58:58 PM
Reply #12

Aquamaniac

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Re: Bow rail vs trolling mmotor
« Reply #12 on: March 29, 2014, 04:58:58 PM »
Don't tell me I have to dig up force vector analysis info to wrap my head around all this. :wink:  :wink:  
Physics was way too many years back :D

Course I do admit I have little experience pushing and pulling heavy objects through water. Hmmmm....I feel sure there is room here for a wyzazz crack or two.....but I'll behave.  :lol:

March 29, 2014, 06:56:26 PM
Reply #13

RickK

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Re: Bow rail vs trolling mmotor
« Reply #13 on: March 29, 2014, 06:56:26 PM »
Quote from: "seabob4"
Tom, I not gonna say it's the same, but...

Say YOU are pushing a heavy object.  Now, pull the same object.  Which is easier? :wink:
Safety training/guidance in most/all company in processing says you should always push instead of pull a load.  Different result with a boat and maneuverability - front is the best and that's why I just preplanned a spot on my front deck for this.
Rick
1971 "170" with 115 Johnson (It's usable but not 100% finished)

1992 230 Explorer with 250 Yamaha

March 29, 2014, 07:17:06 PM
Reply #14

Capt. Bob

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Re: Bow rail vs trolling mmotor
« Reply #14 on: March 29, 2014, 07:17:06 PM »
Quote from: "seabob4"
Say YOU are pushing a heavy object.  Now, pull the same object.  Which is easier? :wink:

What you're saying is that YOU, exert more force pulling than pushing. Power supply being equal, how does a machine do that?
]
Capt. Bob
1991 210 Walkaround
2018 Yamaha 150 4 Stroke
"Reef or Madness IV"

 

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