Bow Mount TM Mount Options

Has anyone ever used one of the Birdsall Marine trolling motor mounts? I would like to know how you like/liked it. What size TM did you use on it? If you had to do it over again, would you go another route or satisfied with the Birdsall choice? I currently have a Minn-Kota Traxxis 55 lb. thrust. Purchased as a 42 inch shaft, but it's in the shop to have a 52 inch shaft put on it.

I've considered a non-aesthetic, cheaper solution (1/4" steel bent at 90 degrees bolted to my TM base mount) because I would probably need a second mortgage to attain the Birdsall TM mount. It must be made of gold...

Thanks,
FlyBye

https://www.birdsallmarine.com/deck-mount-trolling-motor-bracket-p-267.html?osCsid=c867822a030b69799cbb3a32be6476e5

This Photo came from a post by "Arrowhand":
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=16045&hilit=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birdsallmarine.com%2Fdeck+mount+trolling

Looks nice...
Theres alot of different solutions,to mount your trolling motor.
There just as good and probably alot cheaper then that.

That mount looks like it would put alot of unnecessary leverage on your base plate. I think your solution would be much better. I made one using 3/16" aluminum.

I made mine for the flip over style tm. 1 in aluminum square tube.





Nice beads Cubman!

Those mounts look sturdy to say the least. How does the trolling motor side of it stand up while hitting underwater obstacles or while trailering? I always took mine off the mount while towing. Just curious how the stern mounted motors withstood to say a gator mounted one

Um, wow, the birdsall does seem to be MADE OF GOLD! :shock:

I too have tossed around the idea of a front-mounted TM. The problem that dead-ended me is that I really don't have much of a mounting option either:



Some of the build-ups that other posters have shared seem to do the trick, but I don't really want to go that route as I was hoping to build a wood/padding/marine-upholstered seat sometime here in the not-to-distant future.

I don't mean to hijack the OP's thread ( [-X ), but totally willing to hear some suggestions that might benefit both the OP and I. :wink:

This ain't real fancy, but here's my homemade T.M. mount. Kinda threw it together at the spur of the moment but I think it will last.

Here's another option for front deck mount of transom mount trolling motor. While I like the welded brackets shown, many of us don't have ready access to that skill. Relatively inexpensive to build using a galvanized trailer roller bracket, less than 12" of 2x6, piece of steel shaft with end caps and finally I used a mounting plate made of 1" Starboard. You could use 2x6 for this plate if you wanted to keep it less expensive. Stain/seal/paint the wood used to desired color.

Great idea Bobt, do you have any pics of your mount on boat and with TM on and in up and down positions?

DenisD said:

Great idea Bobt

Click to expand...

X2

That looks great! I haven't seen that idea yet. So many good thinkers on here!

Just got back from Southport NC and had touble with my wooden bow mount. thanks bobt!. you have saved me hours. I have an aqua craft 1548 w/20hp merc. Back waters and marsh grass flounder and reds. Just put in flotation under floor between ribs and hope to increase decking w/live well and storage boxes. Hope to post pics soon.

My buddy gave me this minn kota front bow mount. Not sure what they cost. But works good.

I appreciate all the responses and photos. I finally decided not to go with the Birdsall mount even though I liked the looks, but I had my concerns about the TM weight and torque upon the base plate. The mount itself was a little higher than I preferred, but it still looks cool.

I found a welding shop that would fix me up with what I thought I needed. I'm still applying several coats of paint before I attach it for good. I have cut a 3/4-inch board to go under the boat's aluminum TM base for added strength. I will attach some wood on the upright section for the TM mount itself.

1/4" steel, 15" long, 6" wide, 4" high = One Huge Heavy Hunk of Hardware!

https://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/Electric-Trolling-Motors/Electric-Trolling-Motor-Accessories%7C/pc/104794380/c/104716980/sc/104312880/ProControll-EZ-Mount-Trolling-Motor-Mounting-Plate/1157096.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fboating-electric-trolling-motors-electric-trolling-motor-accessories%2F_%2FN-1100550%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104312880%3FWTz_l%3DUnknown&WTz_l=Unknown%3Bcat104312880


I was going to buy this one for my old boat. Sold it before I got it though. Kinda expensive but you can mount the TM anywhere on the rails of jon boat. Even the side rail.

reedjj said:

https://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/Electric-Trolling-Motors/Electric-Trolling-Motor-Accessories%7C/pc/104794380/c/104716980/sc/104312880/ProControll-EZ-Mount-Trolling-Motor-Mounting-Plate/1157096.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fboating-electric-trolling-motors-electric-trolling-motor-accessories%2F_%2FN-1100550%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104312880%3FWTz_l%3DUnknown&WTz_l=Unknown%3Bcat104312880


I was going to buy this one for my old boat. Sold it before I got it though. Kinda expensive but you can mount the TM anywhere on the rails of jon boat. Even the side rail.

Click to expand...

I saw one of those at Bass Pro's web site. They look like they would work fine for smaller trolling motors, but I wouldn't want to put a larger one on it... I did see where a fella reviewed the one at Cabelas well and he was using a 55 lb. thrust, however, the reviews I saw at Bass Pro, were less than satisfactory at best.

I needed a mount that I could use on the TM base already installed on my Tracker Grizzly. The simple mount I chose won't win any beauty contests, but I think that it will work out and meet my needs.