Transom mounted trolling motors

[14cwater]

I was on this sight last night and saw a photo of a boat with transom mounted 36 volt trolling motors.  The motors were mounted on a swivel straight out of the transom.  When I logged back on I can't find the photo now.  Has anyone seen the photo I'm talking about?

[GoneFission]

You probably don't want to hear this, but I would not recommend a transom-mount trolling motor.  However, I have heard a few good things about the twin trollers attached to trim tabs...

Do the pencil test - take a pencil and push it from the eraser end and see how well you can control it.  Then take ahold of the tip and pull it along - no probem!  The same applies to trolling motors...

[Capt Matt]

unless you plan on chasing tarpon with the transom mount trolling motors they are not worth the hassle. Stay away from the trim tab models, at least the stern mount motors on brackets can be taken  off when not tarpon fishing the other nine months of the year. These bracket models can be rigged with air switches. If you want to fish shorelines and have some steering/control a bow mount is the only way to go
Capt Matt

[wessnapp]

I replaced a kicker bracket on my transom with a custom made platform (left of power pole) for a 80# thrust 24v Wireless Minn Kota.  The platform cost me only a couple of bucks and was easy.



The bow's layout as shown below is difficult for clearance when attaching the quick release mount and motor off the shelf.  The extension of the bow is greater than the clearance needed:



Without Mega $$ to custom make everything, let alone junking up the front of the boat from where I fish, the transom seemed like the only solution.  (Side note:  I tried for almost 4 months to get a local shop T.A. Mahoney to help me and it was like pulling teeth to even get a call back)

I typically fish alone at bay break and stand on the bow for a better line of sight.  Using the trolling motor and power pole has proven great success for me!   I never like to run the trolling motor at full speed as it may spook the fish (I am floating in 12+" of water).  Plus the motor is 20' back giving me that added distance from the noise and disturbance of the motor to hopefully gain that added advantage.  Going slow and steady, I am able to direct the boat as I need.  The remote control is so key from up front!

All that being said, if the wind picks up or the current is moving quickly you will wish you had a bow mount motor.  When my pockets get deeper, I will certainly start re-investigating how I can place a motor up front and keep the wife happy when we do the family thing at the Sandbar or Egmont  

As for chasing Tarpon - NOT A CHANCE.  But in my opinion, on the beaches it is better to just pick a spot, anchor up with ball, throw crabs/threads/cutbait, crack a beer, and wait.  I also throw out a Diver Down flag to hopefully deter idiot boaters from getting right up on me.

[seabob4]

Wess,
Not to derail, but on Mahoney's website, they say, "If we don't have it, you can stop lookin'!"  I call BS!!  I get down in Mahoney's neck of the woods quite often, sometimes they piss me off more than West!!

[14cwater]

Thanks for the reply so far.  I am trying to find a photo of transom mounted trooling motors I saw somewhere.  Now I can't find the photos.  They looked to be custom made and were attached to the back side of the transom close to the gunnels.  I suppose when you wanted to use them they could be swiveled down and into the water.  When you were not using them they turn up and out of the way.

[Aswaff400]

are these what you saw?
http://www.lencomarine.com/trollntabs.html

[14cwater]

No.  I have trollin tabs on my boat.  I was just curious about this other installation.  Thought it looked like it would work really well, pluss keep the trollin motors from being in the water all tha time.

[GoneFission]

Check out some of these threads:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4534&p=28662&hilit=trolling+motor#p28662  

viewtopic.php?p=28662#p28662

viewtopic.php?p=31988#p31988

Good luck!