Recessed trolling motor tray...

[96Champman]

I am sure there are a ton of threads on here about this, just wanted to see if there are any 186 specific? I just purchased a troll-well and to say the least a little nervous to cut into my baby. Any info would be appreciated: best way to instal, best tool to cut, etc...

Thanks guys!

[bigfish1259]

I masked mine off with tape and used a dremel cutting tool, I'm glad I did because the 202 has apvc pipe just under the floor at front for the front nav and trim switches, luckly I didn't get into it. Not sure about the pvc on a 186, I have some pics I'll try to post later...

[Lea]

Pictures of a couple of installs in this thread...Not 186 specific, but the 187 is close. There are also some threads describing tools, etc, but I have not found them yet.


http://www.bbcboards.net/zerot...age=1

[hardestyeric]

190 has those pipes also.

[scotty34]

1 mark area with sharpe
2 cut carpet with razor
3 drill 3/8 hole in each corner
4 use jigsaw to finish straight cuts
5 seal edges with resin or 3m 5200 to prevent deck delamination
6 install tray and seal screws

[KHolm]

No pipes in mine, just a lot of foam!

[champ1998191]

I used a rotorzip and it went very well until I started removing the foam. Then I used a jamb saw to remove the foam and all was well again. You have no idea how much freakin foam is in there!!!!

[ShannonBassMan]

Can you take the front bow panel off and get a camera or flashlight and mirror in there to take a look?

No issues reported to me, but that doesn't mean somebody didn't cut through a wire they had to splice back together, most boats wires are ran through the gunnel.

[rodnreel]

Anthony, just added a trolling motor tray in my 186. Lea provided the link to my thread above. I didn't have any pvc or wires at all, just a ton of foam to cut out. Tape off your measurements and cut carpet. Then drill a couple holes into the corners to make your cut a little easier. I used a sawzall for my cut and it worked well. Went to work on the foam with an old hand saw my dad had laying around. That's more of a brute force way of doing it but I didn't want my sawzall blade down around the hull. I cut the foam out in big chunks and it came out pretty easy.

After that I trimmed another 1/8" or so of carpet around the edge in hopes to keep some of the water from seeping down into the hull. Probably anal there as it would just drain back into the bilge anyway, but for my peace of mind. Make sure to seal the exposed wood with a good epoxy and your good to go. Drill pilot holes for the screws and install the tray Depending on how well you make your cut you may need to sand away at the edges to get a good fit. I had to do this and used a dremel. If you run into any other questions along the way give me a shout!