"FASTmarine" and I installed a Minn Kota Maxxum 80 on his Nitro today. Space at the bow access panel was "tight" to say the least. After we removed the old motor, we started to install the new one. Now, with space at a premium, we barely could get the socket to the nuts under the bow top cap when removing the old motor, so when we came to putting the large re-enforcing washers back on....we started scratching out heads.
Our solution - instead of starting out with a deep well socket under the bow top cap and trying to hold the washers in place (never would have happened - we couldn't even reach the bolts with our hands - had to use a large handled breaker bar), we used a standard socket. We took the nuts and 5-second-super-glued them to the large washers. Then we just put the nut in the standard socket and I stuffed my arm as far as I could into the access plate area and held the nut in place as FASTmarine tightened the screws down. After the long bolts pushed out the socket, we switched to a deep well socket and finished cranking everything down. So every single bolt has a re-enforcing fender washer under the bow cap area, keeping everything secure. Not one of them came off as we weaved the socket under the dash area to find the bolt. In fact, the large fender washers actually helped me guide the nut to the bolt.
The Maxxum is in place.... ready to roll tomorrow. Rob - if you're reading this - pleasure meeting and working with you brother. Take care.
All the best.
Glenn
Reply With Quote
