DIY Inexpensive Trolling Motor Mount

This is a DIY trolling motor mount that can be used on a kayak or small boat. It is made using stainless steel shelving supports and poly cutting board.
Parts:
* Poly cutting board ( 1/2 inch thickness)
* Stainless steel bolts and fender washers
* Alise Pair Stainless Steel Heavy Duty Shelf Bracket Corner Brace Support Fastener 8 x 5 Inch Wall Hanging
www.amazon.com/Alise-Stainles...

[@happychefx]

This. This is what I've been looking for today. A simple inexpensive transom mount. I had already thought of the cutting board but wow can't believe I didn't think of simple shelf mounts like these to finish it off! Thanks for the link!

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks!

[@carminefortunato6389]

*This makes my old motor look like a toy **enjoyable.fishing** recommend it's well built. I haven't had it on the water yet, but I'm very sure it will perform just fine.*

[@rolo_pabbs]

This is the simplest yet very effective motor mount I’ve seen on UA-cam.. I will make one. Thank you for sharing.

[@Aksmaniyak]

You are welcome Rolo.

[@TrumonicTrav]

Thank you

[@chriscampbell1456]

@ Aksmaniyak
Nice motor mount. Cobalt drill bits work great when drilling stainless steel. In my experience that is, never had a problem drilling many holes with one bit. A tip for the mount, clamp your motor onto it. Then, trace around the clamping screw feet on the poly material. Remove the motor and use a Forstner bit (the bit size depends on your motors clamping feet diameter) to drill the 2 circles you traced out approximately 1/16" to 1/8" deep. Be sure to drill square to the surface (drill press works best or a drill guide) so the feet can clamp flat and firmly. Now, clamp your motor back on with the clamp feet inset into the pockets you drilled. Now it's virtually impossible for your motor to slide off the mount. Unless you didn't clamp it properly.

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thank you Chris. I certainly don't everything and am constant learning.

[@varpholous]

Thank you...
This is such a neat professional yet easy to implement motor mount.
Cheers.

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Varg.

[@rsp4258]

Thanks for the video! I was looking at a manufactured motor mount that costs $100 this saves me $$.

[@Aksmaniyak]

You are welcome.

[@scuba6797]

This is a nice clean and professional looking DIY trolling motor mount. I might use those brackets too. Thanks for the video.

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Steve.

[@danielforsyth1109]

Searched high and low for a mount this is perfect thank you liked and subbed

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks!

[@rickr9055]

Looks nice, great solution. Thanks.

[@Aksmaniyak]

Glad to help.

[@jayfromtexas6718]

Ordered! Thanks again!

[@tresgatos7894]

Great idea. I’m doing it today. Thanks for your help.

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Willie!

[@victorgatelljr.5753]

Thank you, great idea with the brackets, just ordered them. Perfect!

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Victor.

[@zam200864]

Nice find on those brackets, thanks

[@Aksmaniyak]

You are welcome.

[@edgarchico2186]

Outstanding simple mod, I would recomend an step drill bit for stainless. Excellent job.

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Edgar!

[@stevenbeer2350]

Your videos are perfect quick and to the point with no bs in between....nice job

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks! I make videos the same way that I want to watch them.

[@antonioortiz4544]

Great idea! I'm going to try it. I don't like the side mounts. This will work really well. Thank you!!

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Antonio!

[@ichibangrom9735]

Very Nice!!!!!! Super clean job. Ordering mine too. Thanks for the video. Liked and subbed

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks again!

[@jasonschmidt6648]

Thank you!

[@Aksmaniyak]

You are welcome Jason.

[@tbird9mm]

I'm using 10mm x 1 inch aluminum shelf brackets 3/8 x 3 inch aluminum plate with cutting board

[@damongulick3497]

Perfect! Thanks

[@Aksmaniyak]

You are welcome Damon.

[@roberthubbard7827]

Now I have something to actually use my cutting board for. And for $1.00 it cost me from the thrift store, the $100.00 or so I'll save, can be put towards a decent motor for my canoe. Thanks

[@j_roq7112]

Easy to build, looks good, and best of all, no wood!!

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks. The materials will last a lifetime.

[@jeffrosenlund5663]

Looks like you put yours on an RS117 Bondafide. I have the same and wondering if your mounting bracket with motor gets in the way of your stern grab handle when you lower the motor? Any modifications you would make to it at this point?

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Jeff. Yes, I did a mod for the rear handle. Here is the link. ua-cam.com/video/kw-1o8FZROA/v-deo.html

[@jeffrosenlund5663]

@@Aksmaniyak thanks so much for the reply. Easy enough.

[@myRed8Rain]

can we get a shot of the finish product?

[@rrumer4]

how would you recommend mounting the brackets to the top of the kayak? Should the bolts go all the way through and pop out the bottom?

[@Aksmaniyak]

They should just go through the upper surface of the hull where it is sitting. I would use either a backing plate or fender washers with bolts.

[@kalcorn8]

How do you remove weeds and lily pads if it gets hung up?

[@jasper60103]

This is a great DIY. Thanks for sharing. Question. Did you have any problems with the trolling motor clamp cups gripping the plastic cutting board?
Just wondering if the cups can get a good bite into the plastic surface?

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Jasper. The clamps worked fine for me.

[@chrisclements943]

How has your kayak held after use ? Any stress to the kayak? How big of trolling motor do you have ?

[@Aksmaniyak]

Everything is fine and I use a NV 46lber.

[@Markchance08]

Good idea, Good flexing too

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Mark.

[@brandonlynch3722]

Wow. Very impressive.

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Brandon.

[@TahoeYakFisher]

That is a great mount! Please link the shelf brackets!

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks! Just copy the part and paste into Amazon.

[@elvisrickey4625]

Hi Aks. I have a mount almost exactly like yours. So far, since putting my motor in the rear, I've gone out 3 times and had my line get caught in the prop 3 times. Granted there was a lot of wind and current with 2 lines out. When I had the motor mounted on the side the Yak was hard to turn and control. Constant adjusting was necessary. Having the prop in the back is much better control, but so far very cumbersome going into shore to clear the prop. I'm not certain I'm sold on rear mount. Have you ever tried a center pod mount motor that tips up to clear debris? I'm just not sure which is the best way to go. Do you have any opinions? You put out great videos that are such a help I highly value your opinion. I don't know if you remember but I built your extended control box for the PWM and there was a hesitation when powering up. I later found out it was what they call a "soft start" controller. Works great though. Thanks again. Sorry so long.

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Elvis. I'm glad your PWM didn't fry. I have fished using bow and stern mounts and have never had a problem with the line wrapping around the prop. Try putting your lines out at a 45 degree angle.

[@Manny-mc3vh]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. One tip when drilling through stainless steel, is to put a bit of milk on the drill bit.

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Manny. I have never heard of the milk trick but will definitely try it next time.

[@roberthubbard7827]

Is there an advantage of milk over spit?

[@frankthetank6082]

Curious what size bracket would be best,there is 5 different sizes, 6,8,10,12,14 inch brackets, i dont have motor or kayak readily available to give a quick measure. Thanks ur videos are by far the most helpful I’ve come across

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Frank. The size will depend on the shaft length of your trolling motor. The 6 and 8 should work fine with a stock length shaft. If you shorten it then you will need to do some measuring.

[@chuckpiercy]

Nice design. I am making one based on your great idea, but I had to use longer self brackets to fit the bow of my boat. Question: I need different spacing mounting holes on the bracket, but the steel is harder than hell. How did you drill holes in the hardened stainless steel?

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Chuck. I had to buy a special drill bit...they are hard as hell to drill.

[@ghosthostgamer]

Got the brackets, how wide did you cut the poly board.

[@Aksmaniyak]

It depends on where you place the brackets.

[@alexlizano3853]

This is simply awesome. Isn't expensive but looks better than pros. Do you have any pictures of it mounted with the trolling motor?

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Alex. I didn't take pics with a motor attached but I have already seen this project being used on other kayak FB page postings.

[@jayfromtexas6718]

Man!! You nailed it! Can't find the Amazon information to copy and paste.

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Jay!

[@darrellwofford3297]

good video . wouldn't better to put a peace of the cut board between the kayak and the motor shaft to relieve the press of the motor on the bottom of the shaft ?

[@Aksmaniyak]

You could or leave a gap between the hull and shaft.

[@tatemckenna9454]

Can You send me a link to the shelving brackets Please! Love the video ad am making thee same thing for my kayak!

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Tate. The link is in the narrative.

[@MrPilgrimuk]

Genius! 👍

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks John!

[@MrPilgrimuk]

Thanks for uploading your videos. Really great content 👍

[@itsmejose92]

Woah those brackets are PERFECTION for this purpose. Where did you find them?

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks. I posted the link in the narrative.

[@JamesTaylor-lx9nv]

What did you use to attach the brackets to the kayak? I'm wanting to try this but I don't want to drill holes in my yak until I know exactly how to attach it. FYI it's a pelican Challenger sit on top! thanks great video

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks James. How you attach it depends on your kayak and if you have interior hull access.

[@JamesTaylor-lx9nv]

@@Aksmaniyak I have no access to the inside hull. So do you think some heavy duty rivvets would be strong enough to hold it in place safely? It's my first kayak so I'm still learning how to do my own upgrades as safely as possible

[@Aksmaniyak]

@@JamesTaylor-lx9nv Here is an example of a trolling motor mount without access. It should help. ua-cam.com/video/7mbv11780Nk/v-deo.html

[@k9kayaks]

Like usual great attention to details 👍🎣
Did you get the self brackets at the Home Depot in Seneca ?

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Benjamin! No, Amazon.

[@1580heron]

Where can I get those brakets

[@Aksmaniyak]

There is a link in the narrative section.

[@dakotakilonsky2674]

Hey great idea I’m definitely doing it, what size stainless steel washers and fender bolts?

[@dakotakilonsky2674]

Fender washers sorry

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Dakota. I like to use 1/4 x 20 bolts/washers.

[@catchingwithgio5245]

What did you use to cut the board?

[@Aksmaniyak]

I used a simple wood saw. It cuts through the material easily and makes straighter cuts.

[@catchingwithgio5245]

@@Aksmaniyak ok thx

[@saltyfresh2558]

I was about to go weld shit Together till I seen this. Super simple. Thank you

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks. I try to use off the shelf items in my projects whenever possible.

[@saltyfresh2558]

@@Aksmaniyak where did you get those SS angels? I’m going to put this together today hopefully.

[@Aksmaniyak]

@@saltyfresh2558 The Amazon link is in the narrative.

[@Iamheretolearn]

Genius

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks!

[@cryptoryder8901]

Weed eater motor .... here I come !!

[@gregoryclaffey9351]

Gebius

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Gregory.