Started on trolling motor mount for Cobra Fish N Dive

[Kurt_Loup]

Today, I started working on a trolling motor mount for a Cobra Fish N Dive. Since this kayak is not set up with rudder controls, I thought I'd take the easy way out and mount a trolling motor out to the side using a similar mount as sold by Cobra. Prototype 1 was a narrow mount like Cobra sells. Once I finished it and mounted a trolling motor to it, I didn't think it would be very sturdy unless I made the mounting points larger taking up more space in the tank well. I scrapped it and moved to prototype 2, a mount that fits through the grab handles of a milk crate.

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp336/kurtloup/IMG_0149.jpg

I think this will be sturdy enough, but I didn't like the position of the motor once mounted. Seems like it would be in the way. If anyone is interested in the mount, let me know and I'll probably part with it.

I decided to suck it up and go for a stern mounted trolling motor even though it will be more work. It took me a couple hours to build the core out of wood mostly due to the angles of the stern. The two sides of this kayak aren't symmetrical. I had to use a string line from the bow to square the mount to the keel. For cosmetics and to make it waterproof, I added a layer of carbon fiber. The carbon fiber should stiffen it a bit. Only the Y portion of the mount will be screwed to the kayak. I'll fiberglass over the carbon fiber after the epoxy sets overnight.

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp336/kurtloup/IMG_0147.jpg

Now I have to come up with a foot pedal mount. The FND isn't designed for standard rudder controls.

[Branch_Office]

Nice work as usual Kurt...

[MDR]

Very cool. I never cease to be amazed at the number of really talented people we have in the club.

[ijuswannafish]

Very cool. I never cease to be amazed at the number of really talented people we have in the club.

+1 on that.
I can't wait to see the finished product on this one.

[Kurt_Loup]

Thanks. I added a layer of fiberglass this morning. I have to wait for the epoxy to cure before I can do any more work on it. I'll need to add multiple fill coats of epoxy to fill the weave before it will be finished. I have to wait for the epoxy to harden between coats. This part is time consuming. You do 10 minutes of work and have to wait until the next day.

[wickedinhere]

Interesting, i cant wait to see the foot controls.

[downoffthemountain]

Very nice work. It is a good & sastifying feeling to have the right tools & know how to use them. I'm hoping to have that same "warm & fuzzy" about my fishing gear some day.

[yak-aholic]

Very nice work. It is a good & sastifying feeling to have the right tools & know how to use them. I'm hoping to have that same "warm & fuzzy" about my fishing gear some day.

Yeah, I feel ya on that one.

[Kurt_Loup]

I have enough fill coats added so I need to wait a few more days for the epoxy to get hard enough to sand. Likely, I'll have to add more fill coats after sanding. Here is a picture of the mount sitting on the stern of the kayak.

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp336/kurtloup/IMG_0151.jpg

[derrelt]

Looking good, Kurt. You do some real nice work.

[ijuswannafish]

Looking good, Kurt. You do some real nice work.

I must agree with you on that one.

[wickedinhere]

Nice work, how are you going to secure it to the kayak?

[Kurt_Loup]

Thanks. Three or four bolts through the top of the gunwales. I added a small deck plate for access.

[yak-aholic]

When I saw the first pic of the carbon fiber covered mount, I couldn't figure out how that thing was supposed to work. I thought, "that looks nice, but what the hell is it?" Seeing it mounted sure puts things into perspective. That's some nice work. I'm sure you will get requests from other F-n-D owners once you get the prototype figured out.

[Kurt_Loup]

I'm calling the mount done. I've done all the sanding I want to do. I'll probably attach it to the kayak this weekend.

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp336/kurtloup/IMG_0168.jpg

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp336/kurtloup/IMG_0166.jpg

[Kurt_Loup]

I got the trolling motor mounted today. I still need to work out the foot pegs for steering and wiring the speed switch. The plastic rails for the foot pegs are supposed to come in tomorrow. I'll start working on the sliding foot pegs once the rails come in. I'm trying to finish before the outcast tourney.

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp336/kurtloup/IMG_0181.jpg

[wickedinhere]

Thats nice work, i was wanting to do the same idea but instead of foot controls i was thinking about doing some type of joy stick with and control rods for steering.

[Kurt_Loup]

Thanks. I thought about doing the same, but I don't think you will be able to raise the motor with a joystick. You can use a rope if you go that route.

[Kurt_Loup]

Tonight, I made the sliders that fit the plastic commercial rudder guides. Tomorrow, I'll start on the foot pegs that will attach to the top tab of the sliders. Since the Cobra has molded in foot wells that aren't conducive to mounting rudder controls, I'll mount the plastic guides to the top of the gunwales.

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp336/kurtloup/IMG_0186.jpg