trolling motor for new 170cc

[russkatjak]

hello all
i just picked up my new 170 cc and i love it. i want to add a trolling motor to the bow and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. i ordered the boat prewired for a trolling motor and i don't have a bow rail. i need any help i can get. any sugestions for a make or any help with install will be greatly appreciated. this is my first boat and i am very nervous about doing anything to it. thanks. russkatjak

[cagrove]

Originally Posted by russkatjak

hello all
i just picked up my new 170 cc and i love it. i want to add a trolling motor to the bow and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. i ordered the boat prewired for a trolling motor and i don't have a bow rail. i need any help i can get. any sugestions for a make or any help with install will be greatly appreciated. this is my first boat and i am very nervous about doing anything to it. thanks. russkatjak

I have pictures in the 170CC modifications section of the trolling motor I put on my 170CC. It's the MotorGuide 71lb thrust with a 50" shaft. Works great. There are lots of options (and opinions) out there including autopilot, remote controls, etc. Your specific needs (or wants) will guide your buying decisions. As for mounting, I used the mounts that came with the motor and it hasn't budged. There are several threads in the forums about this subject. Do a search for trolling motors and you should be set. If you have any specific questions you can always shoot me Private Message, I'll be glad to assist in any way. Good luck.

[camshaft]

I mounted a Minn Kota Maxxum 55 bow mount with tiller handle on mine. I don't need the foot pedal getting in the way and it takes no brains to operate. I mounted it on a Minn Kota removable base and used rubber compression mounts to mount the base. I tryed using bolts but it's close to impossible to get the nuts and washers on underneath the gunwale unless you have tiny and long forearms to get into the bow access panel. The rubber compression mounts only require drilling holes in the top of the gunwale and if you use the removable base as a template you almost can't screw it up. The rubber mounts are good shock absorbers in heavy waves and they're amazingly strong. I've seen no sign of give in them and I've used them for 2 years. Pay close attention to how the motor will sit on the gunwale when raised. Try to keep the head of the motor inside the gunwale or as close to inside as possible. If it sticks out too much it can catch on things (particularly bad when backing out of a slip). I looked at alot of bow mounts and the Maxxum really had the most solid mount of all. It also had the better battery life than most. The removable base is nice so that I can remove the motor at the end of the year and store it inside. The tiller handle also allows me to set the speed, lock the tiller in place and use the boat's steering wheel to turn while I troll if the lake is calm. You can get the rubber compression mounts from Cabela's or Boatersworld and I'd use them again if I had it to do over again. It will take six 1/2 inch holes in your new boat though (aaarrrgggg!) Once you mount the motor you'll never now they're there and it is really easy. Wiring to the battery is what will drive you nuts if the wiring wasn't done for you. Mine came with the trolling panel but it wasn't wired. I bought a 42 inch shaft to keep it as short as possible but I'd recommend a 48 inch. Drill pilot holes first to keep the drill bit from wandering.

[russkatjak]

Thanks for all of your help. I guess I just have to get over the fact that I will be drilling holes in my new boat. I really appreciate all of your input.
russ