How To Use A Trolling Motor

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Invented in 1934 past O.G. Schmidt, electric trolling motors allow fishermen to maneuver their boats at slower speeds than trolling speed with an outboard motor and with greater control than with a paddle or oars. They are likewise an choice for propelling boats across lakes where "no-wake" rules are in effect or in about lakes where gasoline-powered outboard motors are not allowed. Trolling motors are available for both freshwater and saltwater angling and tin be mounted in 1 of iii places: on the transom (stern), on the engine itself, or on the bow. Following are instructions on how to mountain a trolling motor in each of these places.

1. 1

   Open the mounting bracket clamps. Transom-mounted trolling motors take 1 or 2 clamps built into the mounting bracket to hold the motor in identify. Turning the clamps counterclockwise (to the left) will open them.

2. 2

   Slip the motor over the transom. The trolling motor should exist placed as close to the center of the stern as possible without interfering with the functioning of the main motor, if in that location is one. The superlative of the mounting bracket should be flush with the top of the stern.

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3. three

   Tighten the clamps. Plough the clamps clockwise (to the right) as far as they will go, so that the motor won't vibrate loose while in operation.

   • Transom-mounted trolling motors should be positioned then that the center of the motor department is at least 9 inches (22.5 cm) under water while the motor is running to keep the propeller from breaking the water's surface. This produces noise that can spook fish.

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1. 1

   Place the mounting bracket on top of the engine'south anti-cavitation plate, with the motor up. The anti-cavitation is a horizontal plate above the propeller on either an outboard motor or the outboard unit of an inboard-outboard motor that keeps the propeller from breaking the h2o's surface as it pushes the boat forrard. The mounting bracket is designed so that when the gunkhole is "on plane" (the bow lifts out of the water as the gunkhole skims beyond its surface), the trolling motor does suspension the water's surface.

   • Your anti-cavitation plate must run at a depth of at to the lowest degree 13 inches (32.five cm) below the waterline, and then that the trolling motor will run at least half-dozen inches (fifteen cm) below the waterline while in operation.

2. 2

   Mark holes to be drilled through the anti-cavitation plate. Use the mount itself every bit a template for this.

3. 3

   Drill the holes for the mounting bolts. Use a drill bit sharp plenty and tough enough to drill through the metallic of the anti-cavitation plate.

4. 4

   Identify the mounting bracket on top of the anti-cavitation plate over again.

5. 5

   Insert the mounting bolts and tighten them. This will secure the trolling motor.

   • Engine-mounted trolling motors are designed only for V-hull or tri-hull boats that get "on plane." They are non designed for use with pontoon boats or with sailboats.

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1. 1

   Separate the trolling motor associates from the mount base of operations. Bow-mounted electric trolling motors are designed to be used on boats with apartment, raised forward decks. These types of decks are about commonly found on bass boats, which are designed for line-fishing for largemouth bass in shallow h2o around weeds and stumps where precise boat control is necessary.

2. 2

   Choose the place on the deck where the base should be attached. You lot should place the mount base somewhere where it can accommodate the motor both when it is pulling the boat and when it is stowed on deck while the boat's main motor pushes information technology through the water. The base of operations should also be placed where information technology provides plenty clearance for the motor to break abroad from the base if the motor uses a breakaway mount and where the mounting screws can penetrate the deck just not the hull.

3. 3

   Mark the holes to be drilled into the deck. Utilize the mount base as a template for this.

4. 4

   Drill the holes for the mounting bolts. Use a abrupt scrap to drill to a depth of 1/four inch (half-dozen.5 mm) and clear out whatever droppings after drilling. If the gunkhole is made of fiberglass, y'all'll have to countersink the holes.

5. five

   Thread a commodities through each hole in the mount base.

6. 6

   Sideslip a rubber washer onto each bolt, underneath the mount base. You'll want to concord the washers in position with your fingers equally you move the mount base over the holes yous drilled in the deck. If this is as well difficult, place the washers over the drilled holes.

7. 7

   Place the base over the drilled holes, slipping the bolts through each hole.

8. eight

   Check to run into that the base rests level against the deck surface. If it doesn't, y'all'll demand to add more than rubber washers under those bolts where the base wobbles to level it.

   • The base needs to residual evenly so that the motor can be raised onto the deck and locked down for transport without binding.

9. nine

   Thread a steel washer and retaining nut onto each bolt. Tighten the nuts to secure the base.

10. 10

    Secure the motor assembly to the base.

    • Bow-mounted trolling motors should run at least 5 inches (12.five cm) beneath the water level to permit for rough h2o. If you fish from a standing position while running the motor, a depth of 12 inches (30 cm) is recommended.

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Add together New Question

• Question

  I cannot get nether the bow to put nuts on.

  

  Use stainless steel toggle bolts. Drill 1/2 inch holes to match mounting plate. Make two slits in each hole to slip a washer (one/2 inch inside diameter to get toggle bolt through) underneath, held with a wire T, Hold in place with a couple of dabs of epoxy 90 second glue. Then put in a 1/4/20 stainless toggle bolt. Add some thread lock to your 1/four inch commodities and bolt the mounting plate downward (a quick release subclass is smashing).

• Question

  Can a trolling motor be mounted off-center of the bow and pull okay if I already have an anchor system right on the point?

  

  Aye, it will. Preferred position is in the middle as this commodity states, simply many boats practise not have that option. Mine is slanted and I compensate with foot control. Remember that a boat is never all the same in the water and neither is the direction of the trolling motor as long every bit it is pulls the boat nicely.

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• An electric trolling motor designed to exist mounted on the transom can also exist mounted on the bow of a V-hull boat or adjusted for backtrolling (trolling stern-first) past taking out the screw and nut at the base of the motor's control unit of measurement, rotating the control unit 180 degrees, and so replacing the screw and nut without damaging the motor wires.

• If you lot routinely fish in rough water in a boat with a bow-mounted electric trolling motor, consider getting a tie-down strap to keep the motor in its mount while the boat is being propelled by its main motor.

• Many trolling motors can be raised or lowered vertically equally necessary to ensure sufficient operating depth for the propeller.

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Things You'll Need

• Drill (for bow or engine mounted trolling motors)
• Drill bits (for bow or engine mounted trolling motors)
• Bolts or screws (usually supplied in mounting kit)
• Retaining basics (unremarkably supplied in mounting kit)
• Metallic washers (ordinarily supplied in mounting kit)
• Rubber washers (for bow or engine mounted trolling motors)
• Wrench or screwdriver (for bow or engine mounted trolling motors)

Almost This Commodity

Commodity Summary 10

A trolling motor allows you to maneuver a boat at slower speeds than a regular outboard motor. To mount 1 to the primary motor mount on your boat, yous'll need a mounting subclass, mounting bolts, a drill, and a ratchet. When you have your supplies, yous'll need to identify the mounting bracket on peak of the anti-cavitation plate, which is the opening located just above the propeller on the main motor. Once it's in place, you lot can drill holes for the mounting bolts, put in the mounting bolts, and tighten them with your ratchet. Depending on the model you lot have, you may as well need to connect the trolling wires to the main motor. To learn how to attach a trolling motor with a Transom mount, read on!

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