Need Advice - Mounting Fishfinder on Minnkota Power Drive Bow Mounted Trolling Motor

[huntsalot]

I have a Minnkota Power Drive bow mounted trolling motor with the slide-on quick disconnect base that I want to mount a fishfinder on to. The Power Drive model is the type of trolling motor where the shaft slides up and down as it goes in and out of the water (not a scissor type). I'd like to mount the TD to the trolling motor via the clamp on style mount but I'm having trouble figuring out how to accommadate the TD cable as it runs up the shaft as the motor is raised and lowered into the water.

Anyone who has a suggestions and pics of how you installed yours it would be greatly appreciated.

[huntsalot]

No ideas?

[brdhntr]

Might get more of a response on the Warm Water forum. Most of the guys running big salmon boats aren't going to have bow mount.

Might try a zip tie at the bottom, run the line up and around where the mount is attached tot he shaft and zip tie at top. Leave just enough slack to let the cord get over the base of the mount. Hope you can picture it. Kinda hard to explain.

[huntsalot]

I have a Minnkota Power Drive bow mounted trolling motor with the slide-on quick disconnect base that I want to mount a fishfinder on to. The Power Drive model is the type of trolling motor where the shaft slides up and down as it goes in and out of the water (not a scissor type). I'd like to mount the TD to the trolling motor via the clamp on style mount but I'm having trouble figuring out how to accommadate the TD cable as it runs up the shaft as the motor is raised and lowered into the water.

Anyone who has a suggestions and pics of how you installed yours it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[waterfoul]

Yup... zip tie at the bottom and the top with the motor deployed. When the motor is in the up/stored position you just have to deal with the extra cable.

[javelin]

zip ties spaced far apart. you will have to deal with the slack in between.

[huntsalot]

Yup... zip tie at the bottom and the top with the motor deployed. When the motor is in the up/stored position you just have to deal with the extra cable.

That's the way I have it configured now. What A pain in the neck to deal with. I was hoping there was someone who was much smarter than I who had come up with a better solution. My eyes are getting buggy staring at it for hours trying to come up with a better idea :yikes: I'd have bought a scissor type if I would have known then what I know now! :sad:

[huntsalot]

Was hoping there was a better way - the slack is a big PIA. I'm searching to see if someone makes a coil type bungie thingy that will deal with the slack.

[WALLEYE MIKE]

I have c-clips (plastic) on mine. But zip ties would work as well. Only when its too slack it might get close to the prop. Otherwise its not bad at all.

PM me if you want to see my set-up.

[FishTales]

Was hoping there was a better way - the slack is a big PIA. I'm searching to see if someone makes a coil type bungie thingy that will deal with the slack.
There is a better way, if you want to spend some money. :yikes:
Change your trolling motor to newer model, with autopilot and universal transducer. :)
Minnkota AP/universal transducer (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21276-cat602013&rid=&indexId=cat602013&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=11&parentType=index&parentId=cat602013&id=0044152)
Rich

[slowpoke]

There is a better way, if you want to spend some money. :yikes:
Change your trolling motor to newer model, with autopilot and universal transducer. :)
Minnkota AP/universal transducer (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21276-cat602013&rid=&indexId=cat602013&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=11&parentType=index&parentId=cat602013&id=0044152)
Rich
:yeahthat:
Sell your old one and get you an Minn Kota with autopilot and universal transducer. :) That will get rid on the cable for sure.

[brdhntr]

There is a better way, if you want to spend some money. :yikes:
Change your trolling motor to newer model, with autopilot and universal transducer. :)
Minnkota AP/universal transducer (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21276-cat602013&rid=&indexId=cat602013&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=11&parentType=index&parentId=cat602013&id=0044152)
Rich


That is what I have. Definitely no issues with it so far.

[huntsalot]

:yeahthat:
Sell your old one and get you an Minn Kota with autopilot and universal transducer. :) That will get rid on the cable for sure.

Not an option right now, but thanks.

[finlander]

I saw some picts on a muskie site where the cable was run thru the center of the coiled power cable. You would still have to attach the wire somehow to the shaft above and below, but the cioled wire may pickup some of your slack when the motor is raised. Wish I could post those picts but i am computer illiterate.:lol:

[huntsalot]

I saw some picts on a muskie site where the cable was run thru the center of the coiled power cable. You would still have to attach the wire somehow to the shaft above and below, but the cioled wire may pickup some of your slack when the motor is raised. Wish I could post those picts but i am computer illiterate.:lol:

I've kind of got it set-up that way now but there are some logistical problems still.

[finlander]

So it is all that extra td cable that gets in the way that is giving you headaches, right??? I have that on the transom and have yet to put one on the 55PD up front, but that day is coming. If you cut the cable to shorten it it would void the warranty. That is what I read in my manual. Seems like once you figure out how much cable is needed when the motor is down, ty-wrap it and just stow the extra in a compartment, maybe where the battery is stored.

[sfw1960]

Just an :idea: :idea: :idea: ....
In the automotive section of walmart is some velcro strips (used for tiedowns)...
When your motor is in the "up" position you use the velcro strip to tie down the excess... when it's down - you just leave it hanging or tie it off to the shaft.
they cost about $2.

Robert