Mounting Ultrex---4 holes or 6 holes in the bow?

I removed my Terrova and am preparing to mount the Ultrex. I was read the installation manual and it states 6 bolt are prefer on the mount plate but, 4 is ok, just not preferred. I already have 4 holes that exist that luckily match the 4 holes on the old Terrova quick remove plate. I can do 6 but, why do more holes if you don't need to?

For those that mounted a Fortrexx or Ultrex how many bolts did you do?

Also, I walleye fish and won't be hitting any stumps or anything anytime soon....not impossible just unlikely.

I used six because I had 6 drilled from the factory on my Ranger.

I ran an 80 lbs Fortrex on my previous boat with just 4 holes/bolts and it hit a lot of stumps and rocks and I never had a problem. This was on a Nitro Z7 and the deck where the motor bolts is 1 inch thick (I know I measured). I wedged the motor on something under water so hard I pulled the handle off the gman cable trying to pull it up. I had to use my gas motor to get the boat off. I pulled that Fortrex off when I sold that boat and that area looked the same as when I put it on.

I think the six bolts comes into play more in rough water. That's a heavy motor that takes a lot of pounding and six bolts will spread that shock out more.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rip Bass

I think the six bolts comes into play more in rough water. That's a heavy motor that takes a lot of pounding and six bolts will spread that shock out more.

---

this is my thought, my nitro came with 5, haha and the 5th was custom drilled... I put a quick plate on and got 6 bolts in it over screws.

The 6 bolt mount will give you better support and less stress (doesn't allow the base to twist as much) on the deck of the boat.

http://www.bbcboards.net/attachment....d=265212&stc=1http://www.bbcboards.net/attachment....d=265214&stc=1

A couple of views to help visualize. First pic is new plate beside old plate that is still mounted---2nd pic is the room I have to work with.

If you don't drill the back holes, you'll have no support for the back part of the mount. You may have to re position the motor.

If you can get underneath, consider fender washers or a backing plate on the bolts.

Big stainless fender washers are the plan on the 4 existing holes. The other 2 if I decide to drill might be a bit trickier.

Get at least one in the back of the plate. Don't loose sleep over it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fishysam

Get at least one in the back of the plate. Don't loose sleep over it.

---

Agree....probably will be a self tapper too!

I had four and drilled the second two for better support. I can't hurt to overkill.

I have 6 holding the MKA47 to the boat and 6 holding my Terrova to the top mount plate (had to move the Terrova back a bit from what the instructions showed and drill two extra holes. Easy-peasy.

I use six holes on my skeeter zx250. The rear 4 get bolts, washer and lock nut. the two holes up front, one cannot reach them with a wrench. So I use the old MG rubber screw mounts where you drop them in the hole and as you tighten the screw it compresses the rubber. It is solid as a rock.

Can you buy these? I might need 2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by foo

Can you buy these? I might need 2

---

Yes,John Jones at Jones Trolling motor has them and he is a sponsor on here.

Yes you can buy them. MK 47. That's top and bottom and MK 48 is only the top. Seeing as I have a fortrex and terrova link. Thought I was cool till the ultrex cam along hahaaa