Trolling Motor on 22-2 flatback

[fishbonz]

Has anybody out there mounted a bow mount on a flatback?  I am working on a platform to get the motor over the raised lip and to get it flat, and I'd love to see what others might have done.  Copying is much easier than creating!


Look at my gallery to get a feel for how the bow looks.

[GoneFission]

You will want to go with a removable mount, so you can take it off when you don't need it (also cuts down on theft potential).  I used a sliding mount that allows me to move the motor back 6" or so when I don't need it (keeps it out of the way from bumps and makes the bow clear).  

I like the MotorGuide mount better than the MinnKota because of the ability to slide the motor back and forth.  However, as you might expect, the bolt patterns are different, so you will have to drill new holes if you want to use a MotorGuide mount with a MinnKota motor.  One advantage of MinnKota's mount is that it is available in white, whereas the MotorGuide is not - I had to paint mine to match my boat.  Check it out and see what you think:

MotorGuide mount:  http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog. ... get=browse

MinnKota mount:  http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog. ... get=browse

Also, you will need a motor with a shaft long enough - typically 50" or more.  My 22-2 CCP requires a motor with a 60" shaft.  That really rules out the MotorGuide motors, as they get very heavy with that big stainless steel shaft.  MinnKota has a composite shaft that is lighter and flexes rather than bending.  I went with a MinnKota Riptide 70 PowerDrive Autopilot, with the cordless remote.  The remote allows you to operate the motor from anywhere on the boat using a little key fob remote.  I also have used it to move the boat away from a dock when I stepped off, then move the boat back to the dock when I was ready to get back on the boat.  Robo-boat!  

If you are going to use the motor in salt water, make sure the motor is designed for salt use.  MinnKota motors for salt water are called Riptides; MotorGuides are called Great Whites.  Bass Pro Shops has a nice selection:  

MinnKota:  http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog. ... =CROSSSELL

MotorGuide:  http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog. ... get=browse

Remember that long shaft and a high-power motor combine to make some torque!  Use large stainless backing washers on the underside of the deck.  Also, you will need #4 or #6 wiring from the battery (or batteries for 24 or 36 volt motors) to the trolling motor.  

I will try to post some pictures of the mount and setup, but now it's time to see if I can catch some fish!  You can see the overall boat with the motor on the bow at:  http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery ... 500/page/1

Hope this helps!!

[Wilson]

Head over to Mahoney's.  I know they have done it before.  I was talking to them about it at one point.

[fishbonz]

Wilson-  I bought the motor from them and asked- little help other than "you need to shim it."  I kind of already figured that one out!  I'm going to build a small platform out of Starboard to level the surface and then use the MinnKota quick release mount (Starboard, not slide).  THe challenge is just getting the angles right.  I'll be sweating over it tomorrow at TYCC if you need a little entertainment.  I'm in the first covered slip on the left.

[osprey170]

Have you thought about mounting it at an angle?  Check out how I mounted mine in my photo gallery:

http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery ... 500/page/1

This is not the best picture for demonstration but it's the only one I have.  

I know mine is not a 222 but I have seen some and the bow area looks similar.  Mounting it at an angle and pointing it towards bow allows the motor to be out of the way when in the stowed position and still allows you to use the entire front deck unobstructed.

Mine mounted just fine on my smaller 170, only problem was that the motor was about 2 inches too short so I took it off and put it on a smaller boat I had.

[GoneFission]

Here is a shot of my motor in the retracted position ( about 5" back)
http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery ... 500/page/1

And here is a shot with in the deployed position:
http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery ... 500/page/1

Also the whole deal can be removed by turning the thumbscrew knob, pulling the locator pin, and sliding the motor off the mount.  Note this is a MotorGuide large quick-disconnect mount, not a MinnKota mount.  

Hope this helps!!