trolling motor installation

[justinb]

purchased my minn kota st 80 w/ ipilot 3 weeks ago cabelas said its backordered and would be shipped last thursday. I called today and now it is backordered until may 7th!. would it be possible to install this motor while the boat is in the water? i dont see why not.. but ive never installed one before

[bdubbs]

thats my plan once i get some $ together this summer to get one.

[High Wire]

You can but if you drop something into the drink it may be costly. Why not just pull the boat when the TM arrives and do it in your driveway? Mounting it cant take more than an hour or two.

[Greenman]

I would pull the boat without a doubt
I can build anything but I can't do it without dropping everything first
Pull the boat and do it right at the ramp if its too far to take it home
Your gonna love having a trolling motor
Good luck with the install

[justinb]

well i was thinking i would tie a lil piece of mono to everything and tie it to me....Alright ill pull it for an hour haha.. good call

[THE BIG SWEEDE]

After backordering twice, I would cancel my order and go to a good marine store or marina and order one they have in stock. Course that's me.

[justinb]

It's not them it's Minn kota they don't make enough to meet demand. Searched and searched plenty of 54" shafts out there No 60's most companies aren't offering a backorder.. unless you can recommend a local store that carries Minn kota unfortunately I'm forced to wait.

[BayRat]

It's what, like 4 bolts? I'd leave it in and be careful. I just did a head gasket with the boat in the water and the outboard hanging over the edge...not a single thing dropped but I had a magnet on a rope ready to go.

[2dogs]

Having done a few of these over the years I would take it home. You'll have all the tools you could need. I would also line up some help. Never hurts to have an extra pair of hands. Last one I did was mounted on a quick disconnect. Came off in 15 seconds with no tools. Well worth the
price. If you can't find help, let me know, I'll give you a hand.

[justinb]

2Dogs thanks for the offer I will keep that in mind. My plan is to pull all the wire and install the batts and charger before I drop her and pull the boat just ro mount the tm. And i will buy a quicl disconnect. Does the tm come with a female plug or will i have to buy tgat seperate.

[OldTimingFisherMan]

If that's a bow mount consider ordering their slide mount bracket & mount the bracket now. You could also do the wiring and set it up as a plug-in. It makes winter storage a lot easier.

[bdubbs]

if your still getting the backorder run around try tackledirect. their local and according to their website carry trolling motors from minnkota and motorguide

[justinb]

thanks bdubbs.. tried they can only get the 54 .. really wanted the 60.. ill just wait impatiently

[DaPlumber]

Walking the dock at Popeyes I saw old timers that just kept a fine meshnet under where they were working. I always seem to drop tools. My own little reef made of rachets

[justinb]

im more of a tool mis-placer than dropper. love the mesh net idea though!