New Bow Mount: So the big day has arrived, My new Motorguide Xi3 with GPS has been delivered. Now for the fun part,my Duroboat was not designed for a bow mount which means I have to...

SALMON ADDICT Loc: Snohomish county Washington

So the big day has arrived, My new Motorguide Xi3 with GPS has been delivered. Now for the fun part,my Duroboat was not designed for a bow mount which means I have to make it work.If I had a metal fab shop I'd do it with aluminum but I'm a carpenter so for now its gonna be wood.the only thing that matters is that its solid and gets me out fishing right.Funny the things we do in the pursuit of fish,and hopefully my next post will include pictures of some Baker Lake sockeye salmon.

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

What about those PVC boards? I’m a carpenter too and I use that whenever possible in my boat projects. The 5/4 stuff is strong and you can glue it all together with regular PVC glue.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

SALMON ADDICT wrote:

So the big day has arrived, My new Motorguide Xi3 with GPS has been delivered. Now for the fun part,my Duroboat was not designed for a bow mount which means I have to make it work.If I had a metal fab shop I'd do it with aluminum but I'm a carpenter so for now its gonna be wood.the only thing that matters is that its solid and gets me out fishing right.Funny the things we do in the pursuit of fish,and hopefully my next post will include pictures of some Baker Lake sockeye salmon.

My 14footer wasn't either SA. I made a small deck, mounted on top of the gunnels. I used King Starboard plastic. It's UV and weatherproof and cuts like wood. Its not cheap but it will last. I ordered a rectangular piece just a little bigger than I needed, made a pattern of cardboard, and then cut it to match. I ordered mine online from Boat Outfitters. Good luck and take pictures.

Sorry about the blurry picture but its the best view I have.

stuco Loc: Northern Utah - Salt Lake City

Sounds like you’ve got options. Good luck, can’t wait for the pictures.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

J in Cleveland wrote:

What about those PVC boards? I’m a carpenter too and I use that whenever possible in my boat projects. The 5/4 stuff is strong and you can glue it all together with regular PVC glue.

That’s a great idea, J !
I made a pair of cellar doors out of the pvc sheet stuff once and it worked perfect. No rot or rust!

SALMON ADDICT Loc: Snohomish county Washington

Fredfish wrote:

My 14footer wasn't either SA. I made a small deck, mounted on top of the gunnels. I used King Starboard plastic. It's UV and weatherproof and cuts like wood. Its not cheap but it will last. I ordered a rectangular piece just a little bigger than I needed, made a pattern of cardboard, and then cut it to match. I ordered mine online from Boat Outfitters. Good luck and take pictures.

Nice job,looks like its supposed to be there.
For me right now,I'm using what I have available at home,a pc of 3/4 ply and some 2×4 ripped at a slope to fit,I'll screw that to the sheet of aluminum that sits down in the bow so the deck sits flush allowing the mount to extend out,I'll also add a tapered shim so the motor shaft is as plumb as possible.,and outdoor deck paint to waterproof it.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

SALMON ADDICT wrote:

Nice job,looks like its supposed to be there.
For me right now,I'm using what I have available at home,a pc of 3/4 ply and some 2×4 ripped at a slope to fit,I'll screw that to the sheet of aluminum that sits down in the bow so the deck sits flush allowing the mount to extend out,I'll also add a tapered shim so the motor shaft is as plumb as possible.,and outdoor deck paint to waterproof it.

There you go. Just keep the water out of the plywood, top and bottom. Pictures please when you're done.,

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

Hopefully the plywood you plan to use is exterior grade (glue-wise) with no voids (gaps/holes in inside plies showing on edges). If voids are present, fill with appropriate filler, and regardless, do seal well, ALL SIDES....top, bottom and edges... with something durable. My go-to for a durable finish for outdoor projects is Rust-Oleum's "Hammered" finish, available in many colors. Highly abrasive resistant and sheds water excellently. I have a couple of things on my boats and multiple outdoor furniture pieces of wood, sealed with KILLZ 2, & finished with "rattle cans" of Rust-Oleum Hammered, that are going strong and looking great, years later.

Big fan of Starboard as well, but $$ and availability are hard to swallow. Much of my "outdoor wooden objects that get painted" are made with Baltic Birch plywood, including a transom on one of my boats.
Good luck and congrats on the new toy !

drifter023 Loc: So,Calif.

Fredfish wrote:

My 14footer wasn't either SA. I made a small deck, mounted on top of the gunnels. I used King Starboard plastic. It's UV and weatherproof and cuts like wood. Its not cheap but it will last. I ordered a rectangular piece just a little bigger than I needed, made a pattern of cardboard, and then cut it to match. I ordered mine online from Boat Outfitters. Good luck and take pictures.

Fred fish is right has to be uv the regular pvc board will crumble after awhile.

Papa Jack Loc: Indianapolis

Good luck and I’m looking forward to those pictures

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Just an FYI: I use regular wood working old 12 inch sears band saw ( found regularly on Craig's list for under $100 and the 80" blades are still available almost everywhere)and free standing belt sander to work with aluminum. It cuts 1/4 inch diamond plate and most angle extrusions cut just fine. I also use a hand file for fine tuning.(use a file card regularly as the teeth clog with aluminum. With a little planning, you can have your aluminum deck. Just use SS bolts if you can not weld. Paint with rattle can Zink chromate, then whatever color you want. Just be sure to have a vacuum on hand as aluminum slivers are the pits. The belt sander works fine, just don't use a stone wheel grinder (It will clog and shatter) I use a hand grinder with a flap type sanding/grinding wheel to shape and round edges. It is easy and fun.

Ted A Loc: Eastern Washington

Glad you got your TM, SA. Sounds like you already have a plan.

I'll be in Snohomish this evening on my way to the Cascade River to stock a couple lakes.

Hope you get many years of fun from its use.

E.pa.al Loc: Martin's Creek

wow Fred,from the pic it looks like factory installed
Well done buddy

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

E.pa.al wrote:

wow Fred,from the pic it looks like factory installed
Well done buddy

Thanks Al. I used 1/2" and it flexed a little so I put a piece of 1"aluminum angle across the back edge, and that helped. I should have used 3/4" plastic but I didn't want it to stick up too much.