Ultrex install on Ranger RT178

[jm_middleton]

I had a minn kota edge installed on the boat from the factory. Four of the existing 6 holes lined up. It looks like it hangs over a lot but so did the edge. If I moved it more inboard the head hung off the boat more. From the pics I found online it looked like the first mounting screw on the side cover lined up with the top edge. Is this close to what everyone else has?

ULTREX DEPLOYED.jpg
ULTREX FRONT.jpg
ULTREX BACK.jpg

[Pagregss]

That's way too far over the edge. I seem to recall the directions say an inch between the shaft and the side of the boat. I have mine angled towards the point of the nose as far as I can. The head still sticks out the side slightly with it angled inward as far as I could go and I have the 45" shaft.

[jm_middleton07]

Heres my edge from the factory.
20210129_173036.jpg

[jm_middleton]

If I go outwards towards the port side of the boat and push the back of the mount towards the starboard side the holes will be exposed. It was also scratched really bad under the trolling motor. It looked like they let the drill bounce around for 30 minutes before deciding where to drill. If it will damage the trolling motor from hanging over that much then I will have to correct it.

[bassfishinglawyer]

I just had Cabela's swap my Edge out on mine for an Ultrex, and it lined up pretty close to perfect. Unfortunately it is 2 hours away so I can't get you any good information right now.

[n2ratfishin]

If you take a side plate off you'll find more mounting holes. I decided to seal up two of the factory holes used for my factory digital 80 and drill two more so I could put the Ultrex where I wanted. It's further back than yours, but I have a 188.

[jm_middleton]

I used pattern 2 because it lined up with the existing holes. It does show a minimum of 1-1/2" to the shaft but doesn't have a maximum. Is there any harm in leaving it as is? Without exposing the existing holes I could move it back a couple inches.
ultrex install.JPG

[fishon396]

I also went from a 24v edge to a 45v Ultrex on my 178. I think 3 or 4 holes lined up I don’t remember but the trolling motor shaft extends over the boat about the same distance as the edge. From the back side of the shaft to the closest part of the Boat is almost 5 inches.

[fishon396]

I also had to get my boat cover altered to fit right

[FlFedAngler]

From my boat to the end of the Ultrex mount is 5 inches. So to the shaft would be probably 2 or 3 inches more (at least). I also used my Edge holes when I mounted it. I use it every weekend in tournaments with no problems.

[Panama]

I think it extends out too far. I changed out my Maxuum 80 for the ULTREX on my 188. I also looked at your alignment go the edge and when stowed I think your TM head is going to stick out too far over the side of the boat into the air. Maybe you don't use docks and stalls etc. much and it won't bother you but if mine was like that I would hit a lot of stuff. I am just saying to take a look before you hit that head on a dock or something. If you move it, look at twisting it a little inboard.

[TimH]

My edge hangs over that far as well. I still have an edge, but hopefully will get an ulterex one day. Quick question though. What are those two aluminum pieces on your front deck towards the front?

[jm_middleton]

My Cumberland crappie spider rigs slide into those.

[jm_middleton]

I think it extends out too far. I changed out my Maxuum 80 for the ULTREX on my 188. I also looked at your alignment go the edge and when stowed I think your TM head is going to stick out too far over the side of the boat into the air. Maybe you don't use docks and stalls etc. much and it won't bother you but if mine was like that I would hit a lot of stuff. I am just saying to take a look before you hit that head on a dock or something. If you move it, look at twisting it a little inboard.

The edge hung over just enough to hit docks. I got in a habit of always using the starboard side to dock.

[FloridaFlyer]

I look at your install and the picture when it is stowed. You have the motor almost all the way down and man it is still sticking way out over the edge of the boat where it can hit stuff.

I would have a real problem because we have a lot of weeds, and canes and reeds, stumps and shallow water we fish. I raise the motor up a few inches to make it easier to troll because the prop will run better out of the weeds and trash and also allow you to go more shallow.

Running the mount right along the edge to where you had to run the motor do deep would cause me a lot of problems when docking or driving slowly through flooded trees and reeds.

I would take the end of the mount that is toward the head and move it in a couple of inches. It would be tough to fish real shallow water as deep as you run the shaft down.

[fishon396]

My edge and Ultrex both hang over the side a little. I forget if it’s prop to the inside or outside but it stores with less hanging over the side like 3 inches

[Smallie_Hawgin]

Seems a bit too far forward to me. I had a fortrex on the bow of my River-Pro, prior to installing the Ultrex 45. The holes did not line up perfectly. Installed new Rivnuts to make it work correctly. The last thing I wanted is a motor hanging father out, that gives more torque to be able to rip the mounting off your deck.... Whether slipping down current, or forward into stumps, rocks etc... Not saying I make a habit of it, but in river fishing it happens more than the average...

[jm_middleton]

Can someone post some pics of their install that didn't use the factory holes. I did a lot of searching for pics of an ultrex on a 178. I found tons of the other Rt's. Do they all have the same front piece? Looking on Ranger's website you can tell the fortrex installs on the RT188P are angled more inboard where mine is parallel with the edge of the boat. If a screw hole was to be exposed what's a good way to hide it?
ultrex front side view.jpg

[fishon396]

I used some of the holes but not all of them on my 178

[jm_middleton07]

I decide to relocate the trolling motor. Before I drill new holes what do you guys think about the positioning? I also found some black plastic hole plugs that will cover the old holes.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-2-P...e-Plug/3013229

Front.jpg

overhang.jpg
rear overhang.jpg
Side.jpg