FrankenMount, rear motor mount for Sea Eagle Explorer 380X
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- Опубліковано 18 жов 2024
- I've never seen a rear positioned motor mount for the Sea Eagle Explore inflatable kayak, but I've been frustrated with the performance and maneuverability of the side mount style and thought I would take a shot in putting together my own rear motor mount rig. It ain't perfect, but it works, and I call it...FrankenMount!
#seaeagle
#seaeagleexplorer
#explorer380x
#inflatablekayak
#marshcreeklake
#marshcreekstatepark
Wow thank you for the ideas and tips
It's been a pretty nice setup, but if I had to do over I would find a lighter material without sacrificing rigidity.
Do you have any dimensions you mind sharing? Of the wood used?
Starting on a similar project for my advanced elements convertible tomorrow. Thanks for figuring this out for me.
No problem.. and good luck!
Sweet ride bro, thank you for the great idea!
Thanks! If you make one try to use the lightest material possible. I don't think it required 3/4" plywood.
Thanks for the advice my friend, enjoy all your adventures. Your Living the life.
Great setup mate! Thank you for sharing. I have the expplorer 420. I am thinking of making aluminum mount for Suzuki 2.5hp. Not sure if the weight would be right. The Suzuki weighs only 29lb.
Depending on where you place your battery and how many d-rings you leverage to spread the load, I think you would be o.k., but I would suggest a tiller extension handle as long as you can ge so that your weight is further forward on the boat. Good luck!
Cool design. have you heard of extruded aluminum or 80/20? It’s a fraction of the weight of wood, stronger and really easy to cut and form designs like this. It can also gives you endless attachment points.
Absolutely! Just using what was available to me at my house.
Besides putting the battery up front, I would consider adding sponsons, either mounted close to the hull or combined with paddle float outriggers. This would give you added flotation as well as some extra stability.
Bert that amazing, what type of motor is on your vessel and what is the extension arm called so I can purchase the same, hope you and the family are well.
Hey James... the motor is a basic Minn Kota 30lb trolling motor and you can find "trolling motor extensions" on Amazon. I got mine at Cabella's.
Off topic Bert but I see that you have rigged up what appears to be a foot rest out of PVC that was
strapped to your seat attachment ring. How did that work out for you? If you weren’t completely satisfied, what adjustments did you make?
Hey Tim! I used that for a while, but it wasn't very comfortable. I have since purchased an inflatable foot rest that I purchased through NRS. I believe it is made by Aire.
Good going. Do you use a kayak cart, and if so, which one. I have the 380x and am looking to buy a cart that I will stow in the boat when on the water. Thanks.
C-Tugg all day!
Hi, great idea. Thanks for sharing it. I’m getting ready to put a trolling motor on my 420X. Do you still like the stern set up you made or would you go back to a side mount? Any changes you’d make if you did it again? I primarily use my 420X when I drive down to fish in the Florida Keys and there’s a lot of shallow spots there. If I did a stern mount I’d need to rig up a way to raise and lower the motor with pull cords. I like the idea of your mount and like the challenge even more. But first I thought I’d check in and see if you still like your mount here. Thanks, take care, Ted.
Thanks Ted! Yes. I love the mount and firmly believe that the stern mount provides better propulsion compared to side mount. If I were to change anything I think it would be to use a lighter weight material than the wood I used. I think trolling motors are light enough and don't put out so much torque that you could get away with a lighter weight wood, aluminum or even strong plastic. Also, keep in mind that you do need a tiller extension or stick steer for the motor so you are further forward and don't have all of the weight in the back. Same can be said for perhaps having a long battery cable and putting your battery up front to counter the weight of the motor. Balance is everything!
@@bertsadventures9974 thanks for the quick reply. I’m glad it’s still working well for you. I have some 2 1/4” wide aluminum track I’m thinking of of using in place of your 2x2s and then perhaps using 5/4 x 6 or 8” crosspieces at the front and another at the back for the transom mount base in lieu of the plywood. I think that should be sufficient for all the forces in play. I like the extension arm you had, it seems to minimize the movement needed to steer. For now I’m thinking of perhaps using 1/2 pvc with a small u joint embedded near a connection to the existing trolling motor handle. I think it’s doable. Heck most of the fun is in the designing and fabricating. I think I still need to figure out a way to lift the motor for launch and shallow water without having to put my hands on it. That isn’t a unique challenge so I’m sure I’ll find something. As you said, extending the battery cable should help with the balance. Thanks again for inspiration and quick response.
@@tedhendy1325 I'd love to see whatever you come up with! Good luck!
@@tedhendy1325 Yes, I'm currently considering doing the same and would love to see what you come up with!!
@@bertsadventures9974 and great job Bert!!
That's great, is the battery on wood?
No, the battery is in a plastic battery box and I stretch the cable as far as I can to move the weight from the back of the boat. Would be great to move it even further forward, but I don't want to extend the cables.
Bert, I had my 380x shipped to a location so I can't measure it to duplicate your creation. Can you send me the measurements. How long does the battery give you power for, what is the weight of the battery? Thanks
Hey James, I'm away right now and can't measure for you. I use a Blue Top AGM battery and can easily be out for 8-10 hours fishing.
Hello Bert, do you mind sharing what battery and battery box you’re using? Also if you can share what type of charger you’re using. I think a 60lbs 105ah battery is excessive for my needs
Sorry for not seeing this comment. I use a Blue Top AGM battery. It is heavy and was expensive, but I can run multiple days without recharging. The box is just a cheap one from walmart and the charger is a simple tickle charger.
Put your battery and gear in the front when by yourself. Use it as ballast. You can buy thick wire from Amazon cheap.
Also for those people who go the side mount route.... You are now adding a little bit of weight on that side. You might consider at least one sponson on the same side.
Whats the weight of the motor ? i was thinking about a gas you Think it would be possible ?
I highly doubt it, but maybe a little 2 or 3 hp would work. That trolliing motor is probably only 20ish pounds.
Hi I lost one of the black knobs for motor mount could you give me the dimensions
Hey Bert, I’d be interested in your old side mount kit if you’re willing to let it go?
Thanks Wayne, but I'm not sure I'm ready to let it go yet. Need to test out the rear mount a little more. But you can make one yourself so easily! I used a 1x6 piece of oak, a couple of angle brackets, screws and a can of paint!
Bert's Adventures thank you, I’m the least handy person alive lol. If I use a screw driver it’ll end up accidentally poking my eye before I am able to build something. Ikea furniture is about the level of handiness I’m capable of. Just thought I’d ask about the side mount. I’ll just have to wait until they’re back in stock. Thank you for the video, I’ve been really curious how the 380x rides with a trolling motor. I want to start going longer distances and I am trying to figure out how to get two batteries in the kayak plus the trolling motor, or am considering a solar attachment to extend the battery life. I’d be really interested to see if the trolling motor can go against the wind in the 380x and what kind of range it gets but there’s so little info about it out there. This video was the first step for me. Thanks again
Thanks Bert on your rear mount. I have a 385fta with a side mount for the trolling motor. Sorry to say I have no luck with the side mount and was totally pleased to see your rear mount. I plan on making one similar to yours. I was wondering if you could make a video of you setting the trolling motor up before you launch, getting into the 380 and launching. Thank you ahead of time.
Joseph Wolf what sort of issue did you have with the side mount? I’ve seen people using the 385ft with SeaEagles side mount and it looks to work. I think a rear mount would obviously be better, by the side mount should at least work. Just picked up a Minn Kota Endura C2 30lbs thrust trolling motor
@@josephwolf4896 good idea. I'll try to do that, but essentially I get it all set up and tilt it down before I get in the boat since my water is deep enough.
How did you make the extension rod?
What trolling motor is this? Can it be used in salt water?
Hey Tim! I have a minnkota Endura 30 lb thrust. It isn't a saltwater model, but I have taken it in the bay multiple times and rinse it down really well. Several years in and no issues.
I discovered your videos a few weeks ago, while doing some online research about the Sea Eagle kayaks. Wonderful and inspiring. I can't wait for the warm season and new adventures. Meanwhile I got my new 380x and... started working on a motor mount, all because of you! Well... partly because of you :)
Check my motor mount here: ua-cam.com/video/mNL29temJi8/v-deo.html
Fery from Bucharest, Romania
Thank you so much. I just watched your video. Your design is brilliant!
And again..... Since this Sea Eagle comes with a fin or skeg. You can remove it and put on a Bixby motor (Not cheap)
nice video, wish they make normal fishing seat, its so ugly ..deal breaker for me :(((
Do you mean the swivel seat?
@@bertsadventures9974 yea that swivel seat looks like some office chair, all others like NRS Pike inflatable and most others hard shells kayak seats looks much much better on kayak, cheers