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Posts: 466
| So I'm considering a modifaction to the deck of my 2001 1750 fishhawk crestliner. I have the foretrex trolling motor, that I like, but I don't like the foot pedal height. Any one ever attempt a modification to their front deck, similar to something that you might see on a bass boat? I think that this would help with my balance and overall stability when fighting big waves. Any ideas? Might need to move the batteries to the back? Thoughts or suggestions welcome. |
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Posts: 177
Location: ON | Yeah, buy a tray or make your own. Cut a hold and drop it in, screw down flush. Front deck should be pretty open, obviously check for bracing and other obstructions before cutting a hole.
Should be enough room for battery and tray.
Takes the heat off your lower back a bit from having that foot up on an angle all day. Only downside is you can't move pedal, only time I want to move is if 2 guys are bombing baits off the front. Than you need to move over and give a bit more room. Or just move the guy to the back. |
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Posts: 466
| Didn't know that I could buy a tray, any ideas on who would sell that? |
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Posts: 5
| Never had one until I changed boats. Now having used one for a full year I can say the balance factor and less fatigue at the end of the day with a fortrex type motor was a a big plus for me. Well worth the time and investment IMHO. As Cal suggested think about how much you move pedal now to accommodate your fishing style.
You can always make a cover for the recess for temporary reasons, or if you decide it's not for you. |
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Posts: 84
| chasintails - 1/29/2014 10:53 AM
Didn't know that I could buy a tray, any ideas on who would sell that?
google Recessed Trolling Motor Pedal Pan and a bunch will come up $50-100 |
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Posts: 1096
Location: Hayward, WI | Search for "Troll-eze" footpedal recess, I have installed a couple and they worked nice. |
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Posts: 466
| Yeah did the search after the fact and came up with a bunch, the troll ez looks pretty nice. My only issue is the trolling motor compartment is pretty much right where I will want the tray. Any one ever modify the front deck of a 1750 fishhawk? |
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Posts: 20258
Location: oswego, il | Never been in a boat with a cable drive trolling motor where the boat control didn't drive me bat #*#* crazy. Lots of wasted casts.
my advise get a trolling motor that isn't made for flipping jigs.
Edited by ToddM 1/29/2014 12:53 PM
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Posts: 466
| Todd, had the other kind before and learned the hard way, way to many replaced pedals and b.s. to go wrong. The foretrex is the toughest trolling motor being made right now, otherwise I would have bought it. |
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Posts: 20258
Location: oswego, il | I don't doubt the toughness or the reliability whatsoever. I doubt its ability to control a boat properly while casting baits that are not burnt in bucktails. I have friends that swear by the cable drives, bass guys who now musky fish, its how they are used to controlling the boat. I swear every time their foot hits.the pedal. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | get in my boat with me running a cable in any conditions ToddM … if you miss a cast, it's your own fault. saying a cable can't control a boat smoothly or effectively makes you sound like you're from Schaumburg |
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Posts: 466
| Sled, I agree. A cable drive has near immediate response, and if set up properly, can follow any path you set it on. Yes spot lock would be nice, but in the end its just one more thing to go wrong. |
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Posts: 20258
Location: oswego, il | The ones have tried or been in the boat wih did not have spot lock. Could not keep it on constant, take your foot off the pedal and it changes direction. I like to be flat footed and don't care for the captain Morgan pose. I can see where a recessed pedal would help with that but then you can't move the pedal to a better location to fish. The boats I have been in if I am working a crankbait, glider or some other slower presentation the motor kicks on and now the bait is well behind the boat and no longer able to work it back. I can see if you can keep it on constant and lock the pedal where that would help however.
I have a hand control on my small boat. For pure quick control I like it the best. Small deck so i am never far from it. My big boat i have a power drive. i like being able to move the pedal around and having the small pedal. agree the pedals go bad on my fourth one. I am also a constant adjuster when it comes to operating it, my ocd moment i suspect.
Edited by ToddM 1/30/2014 10:26 AM
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Posts: 267
| Had the same problem w /balance, leg cramps, etc., til I got a "butt" seat to lean on. Problem solved for me. |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | Todd,
I actually have to disagree with you on this one (though I have run a Powerdrive the last few years). I ran a cable motor for a while and I don't think my boat control was any worse. Might have been better due to me having my foot on the pedal most of the time. Mine could be left on constant on, and the steering friction tightened up enough to keep the boat going straight unless it was windy and choppy out.
Even if not on constant, the speed doesn't have to be set on 100% to throw the other guy out of the boat when the power gets turned on. Set it to match the conditions, and let the boat just glide along.
No offense to anybody, but it sounds like the guys you fished with weren't very skilled at running them, or had cheap versions without infinite speed adjust or constant on (not that constant is necessary).
Now, regarding the recess, I never had one and got used to being Captain Morgan. I'd have been lost without a butt seat and relied on that a lot. The problem with a recess for me was I often moved the pedal towards the side of the boat I was fishing out of. Rarely did I have it in the centerline of the bow where you'd most likely be installing the recess.
Maybe you can put one on each side of the bow and also avoid the batteries that way? Not familiar with the battery storage on a Fishhawk. |
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Posts: 177
Location: ON | I run a powerdrive now because it came with my boat, but I had better boat control with a motorguide cable unit. I'd buy another cable unit in a heartbeat. The foot up pose never really bothered me, but if I went back to acble I would recess the pedal.
Not to mention the motherboards on the powerdrives, and the pedals are less than reliable.
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Posts: 466
| Yeah Cal, thats exactly why I switched. Replaced numerous pedals, went thru two in one week on a trip up at Lac Seul, spent the last day manually turning the motor head by hand. Didn't learn my lesson then replaced pedal again, and then Mother Board Crapped out while fishing in a tournament. Shame on me for not learning my lesson. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | anyone living in constant mode is going to miss a lot of casts, angles and structure. would be great if all structure followed a straight line, but if you don't know how to control a boat and have capability to crab in the wind, swing a hiney around or maintain position then you're missing the boat.
i use intermittent 80% of the time whether i'm running my auto or cable … and with the quick disconnect i always have 2 trolling motors 1. auto and 1. cable depending on conditions and type of water i'm fishing. it takes 15 minutes to swap them out. |
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Posts: 994
Location: Minnesota: where it's tough to be a sportsfan! | A fishing buddy bought the tray and secured his TM pedal in it. I told him that every scrap of anything on the floor will gravitate to the hole now. As such I have spent time in the last four outings chucking old plastic worms, craws etc into the pedal area when he isn't looking or while he is busy casting. Over a beer he told me I was right junk just goes to it! I promptly stated "I told ya so"
So Bill when you read this...the next beers on me! Jake |
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Posts: 1753
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | If you install a tray that you fabricate, be sure to add a hole for a drain. If not standing water could short out the petal. |
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foot pedal recess