electric trolling motors ?
 

I'm anxiously waiting for the arrival of my first 18' Seacraft & naturaly I have a list of add ons to install when I get the boat in a few days. I will be using it to fly fish & an electric trolling motor is a must for the type of fishing I do.
I am trying to avoid cluttering the bow with mounting a loooong shaft motor & was wondering if a custom aluminum bracket designed & fabricated to be mounted with the existing engine's mounting bolts in the transom would work?
I know some will suggest trim tabs with electric motors but that is not an option, $$$$$$ ! and some will suggest the units that mount on the engine but that would not be practical eighter because it would prevent tilting the motor up when it gets real shallow.
What are your thoughts/ideas/suggestions ?

You could look at something like these for the front.
The first one is from classic gheenoe and the second from birdsallmarine.
Birdsall can be used front or rear.

My suggestion is to mount it on the bow and be done with it. I have one on my 20 sf and it is not in the way at all. You will not get close to the maneuverability on a transom mount as compared to a a bow mount trolling motor.

strick

Strick, which model motorguide do you have on your 20' ? Are you happy with it or would you get something else if you had to replace it ? What would you reccomand for an 18' bow mount & how much #thrust . Also would you know how long the shaft should be for the 18' ?

I'd like to know that info also strick s I'm looking to out a fishing seat on the bow soon and a motor would be sure to follow Where did you install your batteries for the motor?

The batteries are in the forward storage box on the casting deck. There is a starting battery in the CC for the Yamaha. The trolling motor is a Great White series 82# thrust 60" long shaft. It will scoot the little 20sf along very nicely. I use it for fishing the shallows while plugging for stripers and it also works great for hovering over holes during a drift. I would recommend the same motor for the 18 seacraft.

strick

I was think the batteries in the same stop would be good and add some weight forward. A previous owner the the whole thing filled with foam. I dug it all out to find a huge storage area I see you don't have a foot contr struck do you think they went neccasary ?

:D

http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/y...t/3bf701f9.jpg
This was how it was

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Mike...you still havent fixed the auto spell check yet ????...disable it me thinks!!!
-Fred