www.iFourWinns.com

I want to install a trolling motor on my 94 19' Horizon I/O bow rider.. I know that this isn't really a fishing boat but I'm dieing to start fishing again so I'll have to go with what I have for now.
Is it possible to mount a trolling motor on a bow rider and have it not be in the way or look really ugly. I've heard that some are easy to remove.
Also, what length shaft would I need? I think the longest I've seen is 54". (Yes, I know that's a loaded question )
Thanks in advance for any input!

The ugly part is an oximoron for bow mounted trolling motors. You will have to live with that.
The Minn Kota Removable Bow guard System makes it easy to remove the motor. They come
in up to 62" shafts.

Something like this Fortrex may be your best bet for a bow mounted unit.

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/produ ... ductSearch

Or buy a small outboard and add it as a kicker. Might be cheaper also.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Yup, I thought about installing the 3.5hp nissan from my jon boat as a kicker on the horizon if i can do it without making it too fugly. Putt around/booze cruise all day with a gallon of gas.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

I'd lean towards using your outboard motor. Should be able to mount a simple bracket to the transom. The ouboard bracket is going to be prettier that the trolling motor, and no wiring to do either.

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2009 H180 w/3.0 Merc
Homebuilt Minimax Hydro
2011 Zodiac Cadet 310

I wish I had taken a picture; but on my 180, I fabbed up a motor mount on my swim ladder bracket to use for a night of walleye fishing. I just used an electric trolling motor, so I wasn't concerned with too much weight. However, it worked great and didn't require drilling a single hole in the transom or the swim ladder bracket itself. I just removed the actual ladder and strapped on a board (with some extra transom ties) that had a standard adjustable motor mount bolted onto it. If I was looking for something more secure, I would have drilled a couple of holes and bolted the board onto the ladder bracket itself. Either way, you can still remove it all when you want it out of the way.

Just an idea to consider....

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http://youtu.be/-4ckF7u1iNk
2003 PowerQuest 260 Legend SX
2014 Lund WC 14

2007 H210 Volvo 5.7 Gi/SX (sold in 2012)
2007 H180 Volvo 3.0 (sold in 2009)

That's a great idea. Even more so... would be to unbolt the swim ladder, fab up a bracket that uses the swim ladders holes. For something even like my 3.5 Nissan that would be plenty strong. I highly suggest small gas over electric. I have years of jon boats and electric is for the birds. A small 2-4hp self contained outboard is worth it's weight in gold. I got mine for $200 off craigslist and all it's ever needed was gas an I threw in a new impeller for good measure. I fished every day and I burned 5 gallons of gas a MONTH

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

Thanks for the good ideas, now I have to decide. Gas would be perfect for trolling for lakers, but I think getting into the weeds for Large Mouth Bass an electric motor is the way to go for manuverability and quietness.
Oh, crap....now I need TWO motors!
Thanks again everyone.

I took your suggestion and came up with this solution...
Slid a 1x6 and about 20 inches long behind the ladder,

Fastened a 2x8 on the outside of the ladder.. using 6" bolts with wingnuts.

Basically made a ladder sandwich.. it is quick and easy to remove, so I can use the ladder for skiing/swimming etc, then hook the tolling motor and go fishing in the evening... Battery is close by.. cut off the leads from the trolling motor and replaced with 2 battery clamps for quick on/off.

Thanks for the great idea.

It looks like it's going to work out fine.. a tad on the ugly side, but functional.

Cheers
Neil

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2008 H180 3.0L Volvo/Penta

Our 180 Horizon came with a trolling motor as part of the package. It has a 42" shaft on it. Not sure how different a '94 would be from a '99 model. Our trolling motor is mounted to an additional mounting plate that allows for removal from the bow when we don't need it. The only things permanently mounted on the nose are the two round plates that the trolling motor slides into. (Not sure I gave a good enough description). You can go to the FW website and pull up the brochures for a '99 model 180 Horizon Fisherman Package and it will show you what I'm talking about.

Btw, the small round plates mounted in our bow use two SS bolts (for each plate) with large washers to hold them on.

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1999 180 Horizon OB Fisherman Pkg
2013 Grand Cherokee 4x4 w/ 5.7 Hemi
San Antonio, TX