Recessed Trolling Motor Tray/On Board Charger Advice Please

[MI_ProStar21XL]

I'm looking at installing a recessed TM tray in the front deck of my 2002 21XL Prostar. I'm wondering what brands other guys have installed in thier rigs and was hoping to see some pictures of the finished products and find out if there are any helpful tips for doing the install. Does it compromise the front deck integrity and strength? Any likes/dislikes between the manufactors? Aluminum vs. fiberglass? I see there are lots of brands to choose from; Comfort Troll, Flat Foot, Troll Well, EZ Troll, Rod Saver, Troll Eze, R&R, Pro Tray....well you get the idea.

Secondly I also have an onboard charger to install. The previous owner of the boat did not have one on it so I'm looking to see where some others have mounted theirs in their rigs. Again advice and pics would be great.

Anyway, lets hear your thoughts and see some installs! Thanks guys!!

[STRATOS 1]

I went with trollwell wanted to match the gel coat color. Shannon is one of the board sponsors as well as others on here they all make good products just comes down to personal choice.

http://www.trollwell.com/

[ep72]

Take your pick on trolling trays theres a few different brands and their all good and serve the purpose. They do not compromise deck strength. I have installed a few of them.

Mount the charger next to the trolling batts.

[strick9]

I installed the same white Trollwell in my Stratos 176XT that Stratos 1 shows in the pictures above. I love it and wish I had done it earlier. The install was pretty straight forward once you get up the nerve to cut your deck.

[JR19]

I have never installed a TM tray so I have no input...as for a battery charger,I read the install directions when I done mine. It reccomended to install the carger in an area that was well ventilated. They also recommend to leave the bilige door open so gas fumes from the battery can escape, plus this will let the heat from the charger escape.

I would also recommend mounting the charger high enough to keep it out of water. You never know when you may forget the plug or take a wave over the back deck.

[JavRenegade20]

i used confortroll in my last 2 boats... When the holes were cut I did check to see if there was any flex before putting the TM tray in.. I didnt notice any.. i wasnt jumping just walking around the hole..

As for the charger my 201pxl has an aluminum plate that spans the bilge area and my charger is mounted to that plate... That plate would also allow you to mount an additional battery if you wanted to go to a 36v system but I mount 2 power pole hyraulic units to it instead..

[MI_ProStar21XL]

Thanks for the pics and all the advice guys. Defiantely going to do the tray, I have heard nothing but good things about going that route. As for the charger it looks like the previous owner had one mounted to the aluminum plate in the bildge area that Jav was talking about. I'll have to take a good look at things when she comes out of hibernation in the spring. I figured it would go somewhere in the back compartment. Thats where I had the one on my Astro I had before this boat and I always opened up the lid for ventilated. Thinking about bumping up to a 36v system when I replace my trolling motor, or I might just stay with 24v. Haven't decided yet. This boat had nothing on it besides the trolling motor and outboard when I bought it so it's like starting with a clean slate!

[oldhippie]

i got 02 a prostar 21xl also,man that's a big hole!! was there any floor supports you cut through?? my dual pro mounts on that plate in the middle just under the splashwell inside battery compartment

[MI_ProStar21XL]

Yeah that is a big hole to cut, but I think once I get up the nerve to dive into the project the outcome will be well worth it. Got the tray, just gotta wait till she's out of storage in the spring to do the install. Got a few other goodies and tricks to do in the spring as well........