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Posts: 897
| Hi,
I just bought a Terrova yesterday and placed it on the bow last night to see how it was going to fit. One thing I didn't realize about my boat that may be a pain is that the last two or three inches of the gunwhale slants downward at like a 15 degree angle. Because the Terrova has to sit over the egdge a bit to allow deployment of the motor I am only going to be able to get the back 4 screws in rather than all 6.
Anyone think this is going to create some real issues for me? I'm going to pick up the quick release plate today to see if that will help things out. Any other suggestions? I don't want to hit a big wave and have the motor and part of the bow go flying!
Thanks!
-Chris |
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Posts: 215
Location: Twin Cities | I believe all rangers are the same way, and only have the back 4 holes used for mounting the terrova. Thats the way mine is atleast. I figured with all those rangers with terrovas you see out there that you would have to of heard of some problems by now if the back 4 holes didnt suffice. The mounting plate will be the same, back 4 only. |
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Posts: 897
| Cool, that makes me feel a lot better. I'm assuming I should try to get some sort of backboard underneath the fiberglass when mounting this to make it stronger, right? |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | Mine's the same way; only the back four holes, and it's been beat to hell on Lake St. Clair, so I figure it's good. I did though as you say, and I made a backing plate to spread the load on the back side of the glass. Don't know if it helps, but I feel good about it.
Also, make sure you get a RAM mount support for the shaft when it's stowed, If this is your first Terrova, you'll be surprised how much that head bounces around on the trailer and especially in the water. All that bouncing can't be good on the main mount over time. |
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Posts: 897
| Yeah, I was planning on getting a RAM mount. Seems like a good idea considering how much they charge for one of these motors. Peace of mind is a good thing! |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | Also, when you go to launch or trailer it, turn the motor over and stow it with the prop facing aft instead of forward. I've done it myself, and know two other guys who've hit their trailer roller on the TM head or prop. I snapped a prop ear the first night I ever had it out!
If you look at it stowwed with the prop forward, you can see how it sits right over the roller, and when the boat slides off the trailer and the bow drops off the roller on a steep launch the trolling motor head is right there and snap!
Edited by esoxfly 5/18/2009 1:54 PM
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Posts: 232
Location: Sun Prairie, WI | I purchased a mount off ebay, that lets me slide the motor back so all parts are within the confines of the boat, to deploy, I just slide the motor forward to where it needs to be, it also allows me to remove the motor completely. This works slick.
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Posts: 897
| Where did you get a mount like that on Ebay? Any part number on it or is it custom made? Sounds interesting and like a great idea. If it is custom, maybe the guy should sell the design to MinnKota.
Assuming I can't find a mount like ESOXER has, I'm going with a MKA-21 and I'll just pull the motor off every time. No big deal, takes like 30 seconds to get it on and off. Plust the screw pattern will likely work out better for me than any other mounts I've seen.
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Posts: 232
Location: Sun Prairie, WI | Do a search for "Retractable Bracket for Minn Kota Trolling Motor" on eBay
The guy that makes them is adamfischer1, they sell for $57.50 plus $10 for shipping.
Great product.
I installed mine and a Ram trolling motor stabilizer and it really makes for a sturdy combination. |
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Posts: 897
| Says in the description it does not fit terrovas. |
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Posts: 232
Location: Sun Prairie, WI | oops. I have a PD so I guess I missed that. |
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Posts: 215
Location: Twin Cities | Whynot - Heres another option for you, or anyone else who has the slide style mounting bracket.
Because my Terrova hung out so far on my ranger it seemed that the trolling motor would be at risk when I loaded/unloaded at steep launches and also made for a tough fit when putting the cover on the boat while leaving the trolling motor on. So on the base plate (the one mounted to the boat) I just tapped another hole in it about 8 inches back, so that I could simply remove the lock nut, slide the trolling motor back and then run the lock nut into my new tapped hole to fix the trolling motor in place. Being able to pull the TM back this small distance makes a huge difference. Also doing what EsoxFly said is always a must - turn the prop away from the bow. I believe it was a 1/4" tap, coarse thread that I used. |
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Posts: 2089
| Be real careful when dropping the boat in the water. The "overhang" can hit the front roller as the boat slides back off the trailer. I've seen a couple broken parts, including a prop and one of the plastic sideplates. |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | Steve Jonesi - 5/20/2009 9:17 AM
Be real careful when dropping the boat in the water. The "overhang" can hit the front roller as the boat slides back off the trailer. I've seen a couple broken parts, including a prop and one of the plastic sideplates.
LOL, you're one of the "two other guys" I mentioned in my post above about watching out for that roller! That thing is a TM magnet. |
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Mounting problems for a Terrova?