How to mount trolling motor when you do not have access under bow.

[STRETCH1]

My buddy has an older Champion boat. He got a new Ultrex but we cannot get under the deck to mount two of the 4 bolts. In the old days we used the Motorguide TBolts that secured from the topside. Is there any other way to bolt down a trolling motor when you do not have access under the front deck?

[Bradrodfish]

Had that issue on an express Bay boat. Got a 4" hole saw and cut a hole close to where the Trolll motor was going. Went to Marine deale and bout a 4" round access plate the kind you have to twist to remove Came out great.
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[lpugh]

Post a pic of the bow area, I have not seen a champion I could not gain access to yet, Usually 2 electrical plates up front, remove them, wear a long sleeve shirt to avoid glass cuts, lay down on the deck. Your arm has to go in past elbow, You are working by feel,
Pre fab 3 pc alum strap 2 in by 4 in for backers under the mounting bolts. Use nylock nuts
Is difficult to do using 1 hand, helps to have helper to turn the thru bolts.
I just did this last week by myself on a 85 champ, owner said there was no way

[Champ 2001]

Post a pic of the bow area, I have not seen a champion I could not gain access to yet, Usually 2 electrical plates up front, remove them, wear a long sleeve shirt to avoid glass cuts, lay down on the deck. Your arm has to go in past elbow, You are working by feel,
Pre fab 3 pc alum strap 2 in by 4 in for backers under the mounting bolts. Use nylock nuts
Is difficult to do using 1 hand, helps to have helper to turn the thru bolts.
I just did this last week by myself on a 85 champ, owner said there was no way

[STRETCH1]

Post a pic of the bow area, I have not seen a champion I could not gain access to yet, Usually 2 electrical plates up front, remove them, wear a long sleeve shirt to avoid glass cuts, lay down on the deck. Your arm has to go in past elbow, You are working by feel,
Pre fab 3 pc alum strap 2 in by 4 in for backers under the mounting bolts. Use nylock nuts
Is difficult to do using 1 hand, helps to have helper to turn the thru bolts.
I just did this last week by myself on a 85 champ, owner said there was no way

I am very tall and long arms and I would have to be in past my shoulder to get to the front bolts.

Champion.jpeg

[Bradrodfish]

Looks like there is a plate under the troll motor. I would remove the troll motor off the plate and reassess. You may have to look at cutting new hole to access the bolts that hold the plate down.

[lpugh]

I am very tall and long arms and I would have to be in past my shoulder to get to the front bolts.
Champion.jpeg

Same configuration as the one I just did. remove both plates. Is not easy, took me about two hours including the time to fabricate backing plates. Butt, I have a lot of practice doing this.
Same color of boat as yours>

[STRETCH1]

Looks like there is a plate under the troll motor. I would remove the troll motor off the plate and reassess. You may have to look at cutting new hole to access the bolts that hold the plate down.

. That is just a plate that was under the bracket for some unknown reason. There are just 4 mounting holes for MG TNuts.

[mikeky]

I like the 4" hole idea. Is there room behind the depthfinder to put it, and if so, will that area be deep enough to get your hand in there?

[STRETCH1]

I like the 4" hole idea. Is there room behind the depthfinder to put it, and if so, will that area be deep enough to get your hand in there?

. Well I get my hand in there but now where near the bolt holes.

[fastfiat]

Looks like a good time to install a recessed foot tray. Should be able to reach the area you need if it's far enough forward. On my 97 Champ mine is as far forward as I could get it.

[I fish 4 Bass]

https://www.amazon.com/Motorguide-MG...64194694&psc=1

[leonreno]

Had that issue on an express Bay boat. Got a 4" hole saw and cut a hole close to where the Trolll motor was going. Went to Marine deale and bout a 4" round access plate the kind you have to twist to remove Came out great.
Similar to this

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I did the exact thing for my bay boat, tried reaching, about 12” short, tried using a long wrench with the nut taped into the end, just way too much movement, and after too much pain and discomfort I cut the hole and installed the plate. Plus it gave me easy access to the bow light wiring and the trolling motor plug in the deck.