mounting a trolling motor

[basshuntin]

First of all I have to admit Im more than a little hard on a trolling motor. The areas I like to fish are full of trees and stumps and Ive been known to bang a motor pretty hard getting in and out of there. The problem Im having is I cant get the standard rubber trolling motor mounts to keep my motor tight. They are always pulling through the hull and more than once Ive had them pull completley out. Ive came up with the idea of getting a peice of steel the size of my motor mount, drilling it out to match,putting the bolts through the mount,hull, then the steel, and bolting. Like a great big giant washer. Whats gonna happen if I hit something hard? Major damage to the hull? Bent shaft? Throw myself out of the boat? LOL, Any ideas?. Im sure Im not the only one thats had this problem. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[mattbay]

I would cut rubber isolators off to were you can put washers and nylon locking nuts on your bolts.

[18'stratos]

Large washers with rubber washers will allow for shock absorbtion. Or the steel plate with a thick rubber gasket I think would work. Do not make the connection RIGID. It will only damage something.

[basshuntin]

Thanks for the input guys. I did leave the rubber mounts between the hull and the motor. Hopefully that will help

[Dean Scott]

I had the same problem a couple of years back - went through about three sets of those rubber washers... finally - cut the rubber off and put a washer and nut on the underside - no problems to this day... at least three - four years.....

Great advice given above!