Fishing Stage - Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Main
Steering issue with trolling motor
May 6, 2021 17:21:49   #
FS Digest
 
So the other day, I mounted a trolling motor to my 11 and half foot kayak. The trolling motor is positioned hanging on the right side of the kayak. When I got it on the water I was able to move pretty effectively but with zero control on steering. Does anyone have any ideas on how to control the steer? Or am I just SOL?😂

--
by ChurchThe3rd

Reply
May 6, 2021 18:23:23   #
Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.
 
FS Digest wrote:
So the other day, I mounted a trolling motor to my 11 and half foot kayak. The trolling motor is positioned hanging on the right side of the kayak. When I got it on the water I was able to move pretty effectively but with zero control on steering. Does anyone have any ideas on how to control the steer? Or am I just SOL?😂

--
by ChurchThe3rd


The yak will steer much better with the motor closer to one end or the other. Have you ever seen a power boat with the motor,or rudder in the middle?

Reply
May 6, 2021 18:48:17   #
plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland
 
FS Digest wrote:
So the other day, I mounted a trolling motor to my 11 and half foot kayak. The trolling motor is positioned hanging on the right side of the kayak. When I got it on the water I was able to move pretty effectively but with zero control on steering. Does anyone have any ideas on how to control the steer? Or am I just SOL?😂

--
by ChurchThe3rd


What Fred says is correct, however i have seen it done off the side. Might want to re post with a different title so fellow yakers respond.

Reply
 
 
May 6, 2021 18:54:00   #
Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.
 
plumbob wrote:
What Fred says is correct, however i have seen it done off the side. Might want to re post with a different title so fellow yakers respond.


The only ones I've seen Plum with the motor amidships, have a rudder at the stern.

Reply
May 6, 2021 19:02:39   #
plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland
 
Fredfish wrote:
The only ones I've seen Plum with the motor amidships, have a rudder at the stern.


Must be the same i saw. Easy fix for the guy then.

Reply
May 7, 2021 08:59:41   #
ArchMouser Loc: Bowie MD
 
FS Digest wrote:
So the other day, I mounted a trolling motor to my 11 and half foot kayak. The trolling motor is positioned hanging on the right side of the kayak. When I got it on the water I was able to move pretty effectively but with zero control on steering. Does anyone have any ideas on how to control the steer? Or am I just SOL?😂

--
by ChurchThe3rd


Something that might help is to attach a Bullnose Rudder to the trolling motor shaft. I have one attached to each trolling motor. They really help turning. Very easy install. Look it up online.

Reply
May 7, 2021 17:38:44   #
Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)
 
FS Digest wrote:
So the other day, I mounted a trolling motor to my 11 and half foot kayak. The trolling motor is positioned hanging on the right side of the kayak. When I got it on the water I was able to move pretty effectively but with zero control on steering. Does anyone have any ideas on how to control the steer? Or am I just SOL?😂

--
by ChurchThe3rd


Is using your paddle to steer it, a "deal breaker"?

Reply
 
 
May 7, 2021 17:46:41   #
Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)
 
Fredfish wrote:
The yak will steer much better with the motor closer to one end or the other. Have you ever seen a power boat with the motor,or rudder in the middle?


I HAVE, in fact; seen a boat in Ft. Pierce, Fla.; that built to where an outboard motor, was just aft of, or darn near AT the center of the entire boat... A "pocket" built in the middle of the boat, basically, so that the guy could pile a bigger net on the stern. He also had a "helm station" mounted ALL THE WAY to the bow, and up HIGH. (This was only maybe a 17 or 18 foot boat)... Could've been closer to 20".

Reply
May 7, 2021 18:13:09   #
Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.
 
Able Man wrote:
I HAVE, in fact; seen a boat in Ft. Pierce, Fla.; that built to where an outboard motor, was just aft of, or darn near AT the center of the entire boat... A "pocket" built in the middle of the boat, basically, so that the guy could pile a bigger net on the stern. He also had a "helm station" mounted ALL THE WAY to the bow, and up HIGH. (This was only maybe a 17 or 18 foot boat)... Could've been closer to 20".


I know the one you're talking about Able, it had like a box standing up amidships,that the motor was mounted in. But the motor didn't turn to steer the boat, there was a rudder at the stern, controlled by the wheel at the helm. At least that's the way it was on the one I saw.

Reply
May 7, 2021 18:52:58   #
Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)
 
Fredfish wrote:
I know the one you're talking about Able, it had like a box standing up amidships,that the motor was mounted in. But the motor didn't turn to steer the boat, there was a rudder at the stern, controlled by the wheel at the helm. At least that's the way it was on the one I saw.


I gotchya Fred; I can't SWEAR to whether he had a rudder at the stern (although I'd BET that he DID, now that you mention it);... I'm pretty sure that he had a "miniature bunkhouse" right underneath the pilot's seat! I don't know if he ever took it outside... That is to say outta the inlet. Never saw him strike the net, but, I'm pretty sure that he fished the ICW & whatever brackish water he could get himself into, from there. Not sure WHERE he was selling the fish, but never saw him, but twice. (Just "running" in the Indian River Lagoon, down at Ft. Pierce.)

Reply
May 7, 2021 19:05:39   #
Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.
 
Able Man wrote:
I gotchya Fred; I can't SWEAR to whether he had a rudder at the stern (although I'd BET that he DID, now that you mention it);... I'm pretty sure that he had a "miniature bunkhouse" right underneath the pilot's seat! I don't know if he ever took it outside... That is to say outta the inlet. Never saw him strike the net, but, I'm pretty sure that he fished the ICW & whatever brackish water he could get himself into, from there. Not sure WHERE he was selling the fish, but never saw him, but twice. (Just "running" in the Indian River Lagoon, down at Ft. Pierce.)
I gotchya Fred; I can't SWEAR to whether he had a ... (show quote)


Yeah Able, the one I saw was in Niantic Bay, here in CT. I believe he was dragging the Bay, for Flounder. Back in the day, when that was allowed. Had to be 35 or 40 years ago.

Reply
 
 
May 8, 2021 20:12:44   #
Kayakfishing Loc: Crystal river fl
 
I have similar one mounted on my Hobie Kayak. Have hand control rudder that controls the steering. Trolling motor fixed Position straight forward. Works pretty good except in strong winds and current.

Reply
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main
FishingStage.com - Forum
Copyright 2018-2024 IDF International Technologies, Inc.