My second Comfortroll Install

[1kickerfish]

Just completed my second Comfortroll install for the year. First I have to thank CA Ken and all the other BBC members that posted how-to tips and pictures of their installs. Having these examples provides an extra level of confidence.

My buddy's Stratos turned out nice, but my Skeeter turned out great. The MinnKota maxx pro has the built in transducer and we hardwired the power plug so there are no wires on the deck. I was slow compared to several other posts, but there was beer – RTV dry time - and a trip to Lowes involved in the four-hour job. On the TZX190 you will need a longer drain hose than the one that comes with the kit. I bought 5' of 5/8" ID braided PVC hose. I took CA Kens recommendations and used a carbide blade in my jigsaw and 5200 to seal the edges of the cut area. Unlike CA Ken I removed the front storage box. The lift shock mount is screwed into the boat frame, but it was no trouble to reinstall. The extra trip to Lowes was to get wire lugs to hardwire the power plug. I called Minn Kota and ask their technical support about hardwiring the power plug. He said it has become a common practice and there are no concerns with doing it. He recommended lugging the 10 ga trolling motor cables to the larger battery cables. ie. Crimp on lugs bolted to the existing cable lugs.


Look Ma, no wires. MinnKota maxx pros built in transducer runs the depth finder cable in the bundle with the control cables back to the foot pedal. No external puck, no wires ty-wraped to the shaft, and no wires being pinched going into the front console. I also eliminated the power plug by hardwiring the power cables.


This is the hole under the front storage compartment that you have to run your drain hose into. Strange design, and I am not sure how water from the bow and storage compartments are suppose to find this hole. I am glad the storage compartments are extremely watertight. I thought Skeeters were wood free. Note the wooden rod locker frame on the left. There are also wooden stringer supports.

[-BjBnet-]

They apparently don't use wood for the key structure. I think they still need wood whenever they screw stuff in for a better hold.
Thanks for the pics

[Bass Junkie]

There is no wood in the hull or the transom but they still use wood in certain areas just for bracing and framing in the rod lockers, etc.

[Rodney Bledsoe]

I need one before next season

[CA Ken]

Nice job, Kicker!! What's really cool is you got to 'practice' on your buddies boat before you did yours! Excellent job on the wiring, too

Interesting that the shock mounts on my storage bins are "pop-riveted" into the support behind it, rather than screwed in like yours were... I wish mine had the screws, it would have made it easier!

Give us a report after you try it out!

[mnlong]

Good looking job.