NEW ARTICLE: Adding a bow mount motor to your small aluminum boat..

[Josh]

Adding a Bow Mount Trolling Motor Platform to Your Small Boat​

Many of us who chase warm water lake fish want a bass boat. They offer a stable casting platform, storage, room for a buddy, and features like foot controlled bow mount trolling motors. But almost as many of us don’t have the cash sitting around for that kind of fancy and specialized watercraft. What many of us do have money for though, is a 12-14ft aluminum boat with a small tiller outboard. While I can’t help you with storage or room for your friends, I can help you put a bow mount motor on your little boat.

Okay, I don't know how many PNWFF members this project will interest. But it's something that doesn't have a lot of real-world walkthrough examples out there on the internet. So I figured I would write a little article up.

Honestly, it's pretty darn cool. Anyone who chases fish around docks and pads and structure but doesn't have the cash for a bass boat should check it out.

Adding a Bow Mount Trolling Motor Platform to Your Small Boat

Many of us who chase warm water lake fish want a bass boat. They offer a stable casting platform, storage, room for a buddy, and features like foot controlled bow mount trolling motors. But almost as many of us don’t have the cash sitting around...

pnwflyfishing.com

 

[Josh]

 

[Tuna Ball]

I had a goal to make a bass boat on the cheap. I did pretty well except for the trolling motor upgrade. The auto pilot and spot lock are SOOOOO nice though. I took an old aluminum hatch door as a base for the motor mount. I built a casting deck out of some studs and a recycled cabinet.

It isn't shiny or runs 50mph across the lake, but it gets me around my local lake just fine.

 

[Josh]

I had a goal to make a bass boat on the cheap. I did pretty well except for the trolling motor upgrade.

Compare the price of a Terrova to a Ghost or Ultrex like all of the fancy bass boats (financed for 12 years at 10% interest!) have. You still did just fine for a budget build.

Some of that stuff you just can't get without paying at least a little money. I have a Powerdrive and that's the cheapest way to have Minn Kota's iPilot/spot-lock. But.... it comes with the caveat that you can't have spot-lock AND a foot pedal. Just one or the other.

So, you want to have both on a budget, the Terrova is your best and cheapest bet.