Trolling Motor Removal?

[Dave A]

Ok, so my saga continues as I attempt to replace my trolling motor. In the process of removing the old motor I have discovered that the mounting screws/bolts are held in place by a washer and nut on the underside. This poses a problem as they are out of reach. I can see them by looking through my rod locker, yet I can't reach them and there is not sufficient crawl space for my fat a$% to crawl through the rod locker.

Clearly I would like to complete the job myself. Have any of you encountered this same issue? Any suggestions on what I can do?

[Ricky-S]

It depends on the make and model of the boat.

I have had to tighten mine, which required me to take the front panel off and use one person to drill while another holds the bolt with a wrench.

It is a two person job.

[Dave A]

What do you mean by front panel? And, how did you remove it?

[Jeff Jewell]

I agree with Ricky, Take off the front panel ( where the TM plugs in) and reach in through there...

[Terry]

You could have it removed the natural way... ripped right off!

Don't you have an access plate on the bow? A flush mount sonar? Go thru there. Or get a kid to help crawl thru the rod locker, hold the back side and turn the bolt yourself from the top. Then take him/her fishing.

Terry

[Ricky-S]

The front panel is usually a wood or plastic looking piece where the Trolling Motor may run through.

It would help to know year and make boat you are dealing with.

[Dave A]

Unfortunately, I do not have an access plate. I have an older model boat. It's a 1999 Procraft 17.5 and the only opening up front is via the trolling motor plug which is no more than 1 inch in diameter. My sonar is mounted to the floor of the casting deck.

Just when you think things are gonna be easy.

[L.Hackney]

Dave,
you said there is a 1" hole where the trolling motor plugs in?
Is there a plate that this receptical is mounted on that can be removed? On my BassCat, that is my access hole and it's a real pain in the butt working through it .
Is there a way you can post a picture of the front of the boat from the inside so we can see what your talking about?
Otherwise you could call sunny at Sunny's Electric Marine and ask him over the phone. He works on all kinds of stuff and might know exactly what your talking about.

Sunny's Electric Marine
(916) 487-3868

[Dave A]

Yeah, the 1 inch hole is drilled right into the fiberglass and the plug receptacle is screwed in. There is no plate that I can remove to reach under and access the nuts. I'll see if I can snap a photo and post it. As far as I can tell the only access is through the narrow rod locker. From what I can tell if you were to have an access plate this is a pretty simple task. Dang PoCraft!

[Ricky-S]

This is a picture of a newer version of your boat from the PC website. In this picture the panel would be the plastic piece. Most bass boats have them.

[Hitman]

Dave, Can you see the nuts/washers? Most trolling motors use a rubber T bolt that you simply tighten or loosen. I assume you've tried already to back out the screws from the top of the mount?

Hitman

[Dave A]

Yes, I have tried to back the screws out and they just spin in place. It appears that there is a nut and a washer attached to the screws. They are spinning in place when I try to back the screws out. I can just barely reach one with my finger through the 1 inch whole that I have mentioned.

[Hitman]

Got it....try placing some leverage between the mount and the top of your boat while you screw them out. Maybe you can place enough tension on the nut to keep the nuts in place.

My next choice would be a BFH and a chisel!!!!


Good luck


Hitman

[Dave A]

I will certainly give that a try. If that does not work I am going to try attaching a wrench to a pipe and see if I can reach the nuts. Next would be a stick of dynamite and a match.

[Hitman]

If you have an air-chiesel you might be able to sheer the heads off the bolts from the top.

Just another suggestion before going to a last report - BOOM!!!



Hitman

[snapitoff2002]

You should take a drill... drill straight down on the screw.. the head will fall off, and you can punch down through the hole. Go get new mounting screws, and you're good!

[mark poulson]

Before you drill out the heads of the screws, try to put something under them to catch the screw and nut assembly when it falls.
It's not good having loose, sharp ended nuts and bolts rattling around in your hull. They can lodge under something, and wear a hole in the fiberglass hull, or move down and screw up you bilge pump, or just drive you nuts by rattling while you motor.
If they're not stainless steel, you can use a magnet on a stick to retrieve them, but it's much easier to catch them first.
Maybe you should consider having a boat yard cut an inspection/service port into your front deck, or you could install a recessed trolling motor pedal and use that hole for access. It makes it very handy when you're upgrading or servicing your electronics. Just make sure there's nothing under where you want to cut.

[Dave A]

Just wanted to give you guys and update. I managed to remove the old motor. I attached a ratchet to the bottom half of an old abu garcia surf rod and stood stuck half my body in the rod locker. A few bruises and a nice cut in my finger later I managed to have the unti off and the new motor is in position. Now I simply need to get the nuts and washers attached to the mounting screws for the new unit. Back into the rod locker I go.

[Andy Giannini]

Before you crawl back in there and cuss, There was a weird toggle nut that was on my Champ from the factory. It was really strong, but I just can't remember the name. It would save a lot of time and scratched knuckles. Gene at the Hook would remember the name of them. Mike V stuck them in his boat before he ran off to the airbrushing forums.

.02 A.G.

I want to say it was nylon nut something...They are called Toggle Nuts made out of nylon. I looked them up, they are pretty tough, mine also had some big flat rubber fender washers on top those Toggle nuts, to prevent the TM from damaging the deck or toggles.

A.G.

[Lugnut]

Just some advice on the re-install......don't use a nut and washer. Use the rubber mounting bolts talked about above. You simply tighten the screw and it expands making a rock solid mount. Not to mention it provides a little cushing between your motor and your boat. Just my .02

[MikeD]

Just some advice on the re-install......don't use a nut and washer. Use the rubber mounting bolts talked about above. You simply tighten the screw and it expands making a rock solid mount. Not to mention it provides a little cushing between your motor and your boat. Just my .02

they are called "well nuts"

[Mike]

WHALE NUTS!?

[MikeD]

nah, not whale nuts, you couldn't fit whale nuts in the boat - but then again why would you want too...?

[Dave A]

Luckily I have not as of yet completed the job. So were can I get some "well nuts" in the Lincoln/Rocklin area?

[Dave A]

Hey, so I googled well nuts and they look awesome. That is exactly what I figured should have been on my boat in the first place. I just need to find some and I'm back on the water. I would post a visual, but my skill at that is equal to my skill of installing trolling motors.