Recessed Trolling Pad - don't cut floor, raise it.

[rlj]

I wanted to try the trolling motor cutout, without cutting the floor. I built a pad of high density foam about 2' square and 3 1/2" high. I got the pad material ( a set of interlocking 2' square pads that can be used as a floor pad for kids) from a local Sam's club for about $18. I liked it so well, I covered it with carpetting an it has become the final solution. I have bad knees, and the extra cushioning plus the level surface is great.

Rich

[herbertrhudy]

looks great but,
I would have to do the whole deck or go swimming every trip(probably 10 times per trip

[reelman]

Concept is solid but most guys would make "the deck" of wood or fiberglass... depending upon your style of fishing and securing the deck when running.. it could be a very interesting alternative!

[Mickstix]

I actually thought of doing the same thing.. Was trying to think how it would sell as a stand alone product.. But your idea is much simpler and cheaper than I was thinking.. Great idea, I might give that a try!!

[VictorM.]

Could be a nice idea. Maybe make it to fit the dimensions of your front deck then use wide strips of heavy duty Velcro to secure it in place. If not Velcro strips then a snap down system where you place it down and push and it just snaps down then you just pull it up off the deck at the end of the day. May have some potential. I think the thickness maybe a little much though seems like it would bog you down some a tend to make your feet a little slow and make you clumsy on the deck. I really do like the principal behind your idea though. Now take it and expand on it.

[ranger373v]

Really interesting for me as my older Ranger 373v has a low front deck already. Winter is almost here and that may be a good project.
Gotta Love them STEELERS
]

[rlj]

herbert;
I thought about doing the entire deck, but you see where my rod handles end up. I've had the thing on the deck for all this year and haven't tripped and fallen in yet. If I stepped that way even without the pad, I would just trip over the rods, or my landing net which I keep strapped to the other side. I do have it strapped down by the way. You can't see it in the picture, but there is a nylon tie holding the back to the base of the seat pedestal and I have the pedal screwed to the floor on top of a piece of thin plastic attached to the bottom of the pad across the recess hole. It stays down at 70 plus so far.
Rich

[MFD911]

Pretty cool idea

[reelman]

I would like to see proof the deck stays put at speeds above 60... 1st... my boat pushes 70.

[rlj]

Reelman;
My 99 TR-20 stays down at 72 GPS. I have a thin sheet of plastic secured to the bottom of the cutout for the foot pedal. The foot pedal is screwed down to the deck. In addition, I have the back tied to the pedestal pole with nylon wire wraps. The Triton has a fairly high front console so there is probably less lift at the deck than you might think. The good news about trying the pad is that you can make it for less than $20 (without the carpet which you can add for $10 later) and see if you like it without any great costs.
Rich

[Quickrelease]

I think thats a great concept!