Converting a hand-operated trolling motor to foot operated.

[BassinRob]

Does anyone know of a way I can convert my existing Minn Kota Endura 30 hand operated trolling motor, into a foot operated one?
I'm not even sure if that is possible, but I thought I would ask. It is for an inflatable boat with hardwood bottom.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Dan Rechs]

The thing you are talking about is called a "Big Footâ€

[Dan Rechs]

I just checked and Bass Pro does have it. Go go the second page of trolling motor acessories on there web site. I'd post a link if I knew how. Its $12.99.

[Rich_Thiel]

LOL,,, In the Mid 70's there was a company called Silvertrol. Wow!!!! 36lb thrust 12volt. It had what Dan was speaking about, held front steering with a box on the floor that had a GO and stop button.

Why I remember it so well is one day I had to replace the button (it wore out). The buttono or part was out of a Studebaker, The Studebaker's High and Low beam lights on the floor of the car.

I can still laugh about it after 30+ years.

Good luck!!!!!

Rich Thiel

[Rich_Thiel]

LOL,,, In the Mid 70's there was a company called Silvertrol. Wow!!!! 36lb thrust 12volt. It had what Dan was speaking about, held front steering with a box on the floor that had a GO and stop button.

Why I remember it so well is one day I had to replace the button (it wore out). The buttono or part was out of a Studebaker, The Studebaker's High and Low beam lights on the floor of the car.

I can still laugh about it after 30+ years.

Good luck!!!!!

Rich Thiel

[Rich_Thiel]

LOL,,, In the Mid 70's there was a company called Silvertrol. Wow!!!! 36lb thrust 12volt. It had what Dan was speaking about, held front steering with a box on the floor that had a GO and stop button.

Why I remember it so well is one day I had to replace the button (it wore out). The buttono or part was out of a Studebaker, The Studebaker's High and Low beam lights on the floor of the car.

I can still laugh about it after 30+ years.

Good luck!!!!!

Rich Thiel

[Whoopbass]

If your boat isn't that stable you might eventually lose your balance working a foot control trolling motor and fall overboard.

I was in Wal Mart the other day and I think they had some type of extension handle that would mount to your motor.

Years back I had a bigfoot and it wasn't very practical because you can only turn it so far before its pointing out of the boat.

[Ken C.]

*NM*

[Ken C.]

making it so you can steer it with a foot pedal or just get it to turn on/off? I doubt there is any reliable way to convert the steering to foot control. Better to find a used one. Maybe look for a used MinnKota Power Drive. I had a 12v 55lb thrust on my first boat. Worked great. If you're talking about just the on/off function, yes that's easy to do with the "Big Foot" button. Maybe available at the Hook? I know I've seen them at Wally World too. There are also brackets available for mounting a transom-mount TM onto your bow, so you can use the tiller-steering up front (much like Bill Dance uses on alot of the boats he fishes on). There are extension handles as well but as was mentioned above I think you'll find yourself reaching way off to the side of the boat at times.

[BassinRob]

Ya, I was thinking of converting the entire steering, so that I can control the inflatable from the front with a foot pedal or something like it. Since my water craft is infladable all around, I'm unable to mount anything up front (unless of course I somehow construct a support system to handle the wait of the motor.) That may be another option. The boat is actually very sterdy. It has wooden floor, so that helps. I can stand up and cast from it without a problem.

What do you mean by "MinnKota Power Drive" Ken. Could you explain. Thanks

Also, There are also brackets available for mounting a transom-mount TM onto your bow, so you can use the tiller-steering up front (much like Bill Dance uses on alot of the boats he fishes on). Where would I be able to see/get those. Any websites?

I wonder why non of the trolling motor companies have tried to implement the transom-mount foot controls. I think that would be a great thing, and a lot easier steering for the anglers.

Thanks for all the responses guys. Especially to Rich for the three that he posted

Tight Lines!

[Whoopbass]

I don't see the conversion happening.

Your best bet is to stand in the back of the boat and run your trolling motor backwards while fishing. When you want to move to another spot just spin the motor around and use it like its intended. Thats how alot of people that fish out of small boats with just a trolling motor do it.

Your best bet is to sell that boat and buy a small aluminum boat that you can convert into a small bass rig.

[Ken C.]

First off Rob, the Minn Kota Power Drive would fit your bill exactly. Its traditionally a bow-mount trolling motor that uses a second (smaller) motor to turn the motor for steering. This is controlled by the footpedal - along with the speed. It's all electric. The footpedal is connected to the motor by a long cable - as I recall about 10 feet. This allows you to put the footpedal just about anywhere in the boat. Only problem I could see is that it is supposed to mount on a flat surface a'la a regular trolling motor. This would require mounting a flat piece of wood across the transom or the bow in order to mount the motor. I have seen such panels on alot of iflatables, but I don't know exactly how they do it! Here's a couple of links for the motor:

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

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/ ... rdrive.asp

As for the bow-mount bracket, it doesn't sound like that would work in your situation, but here's a couple that I know of:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... &ref=81902

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

Hope that helps, if I can help you out wiht anything else, feel free to ask!

Ken

[BassinRob]

I will try to implement one of these options you presented.

Thanks again for the very detailed explanation.

I will let you know how things go.

[Trolling Motor]

Hold the phone, fellow fishermen!!! There is a new product about to be introduced to the fishing world that will convert a hand control to a foot control for trolling motors that are used on mini-boats and jon boats alike. This product uses NO CABLES and is directly connected to the shaft of your existing bow mount trolling motor with hard likage and quick disconnects. This product will not only steer the boat but also supplies power to the trolling motor with a foot switch. You will be able to disconnect the foot control within 2 seconds to raise the motor for cleaning the prop, hop over that shallow water log, take over steering with your hand, or just bring the motor up to the lock position for docking and transporting. The versatility and ease of use will revolutionize the old fashion way of fishing that we have become used to. As I said, this patented product is still in the production stage and will make its debut in July of 2014 at the 11th Annual SouthEast Texas Great Outdoor Expo in Beaumont, TX. After that it will be available by internet only. The name of the product is "Troll-King" and is manufactured by Canyon Lake Products LLC. Don't look for them on the net just yet, they are brand new to the market and should have everything in place by mid summer. In the meantime, if you would like more information on the product, you can get it from me at - darrylhoover1@hotmail.com. As Canyon Lake Products LLC grows, there will be much more information about the company and their products available to the internet. In the mean time.........................

Good Fishin'!

[umpy315]

Does anyone know of a way I can convert my existing Minn Kota Endura 30 hand operated trolling motor, into a foot operated one?
I'm not even sure if that is possible, but I thought I would ask. It is for an inflatable boat with hardwood bottom.

Thanks in advance for any help.

I have an Intex excursion 5. I made a 12 volt steering unit with hand held button box with left right buttons.