Go on Cabalas web site and go to their reconditioned trolling motors,
I've got 2 that way,excellent value for a factory recon. motor.
Mine looked and operated perfect....
I've seen surface mount bases that might be the ticket for you.
Only downside is once you take the seat off you still have a plate that
is 2" above the floor.
I screwed 4- 4" short alum. angle to the sides of the boat,down 3/4" from
the top of the rub rail and installed a 3/4" carpeted plywood small deck
then purchased a removeable motor mount.now I can take the motor off
and on as I please.
I have the ram rod holders,there expensive,big,and hard to get the rod in and out,without a lot of fumbling.
I had "roberts" before ,but lost them and can't find them anymore,so I bought the ram ones(wish I wouldn't have)
They say to change them with every oil change...I've had outboards for 30 + years with an oil change every year
never changed one,mabey just luck,but never had a problem.Just be carefull not to damage them.
Best advice,purchase the best you can afford,the better the reel the better it will
cast and the more you will enjoy it.
I've always used garcias and never had a casting problem that wasn't my fault.
The seat holds the sides from flexing.not a good idea to do that.
maybe cutting a section from the middle would be a better idea,that way you can wal thru without stepping over a seat and still maintain some stability to the sides.
I just purchase that spinning rod and a soron reel,they said it was built to be balanced with the reel not quite sure about that.. feels tip heavy to me.
I just installed one on my pdv2 motor pretty expensive,but should make controlling
the boat better.no more constant adjustments to keep in one direction.
can't wait to get it in the water and do some testing