It will be in the way to some extent in the position shown in the picture. JMO. If you were to angle the TM across the bow, you would gain some leg room if you or a passenger are up front when the TM is not deployed. Try to keep the head of the TM inside the perimeter of the boat. All you can do is try different positions and see what works. Just go fishing in the garage, I've done it several times when trying to decide on where to mount rod holders or TM, FF, etc.
Don't cut the shaft until you've used a couple times to see how it works. A long shaft will just stick up higher than normal when deployed and might be in the way at times. Only way to know is use it like it is. It's fairly easy to cut a shaft down, just google cutting down a TM a shaft and you'll get lots of tips and how to's.
I would bolt the base down to the platform you have built, use some large washers or pieces of metal to spread the stress out across a larger area. GL
Last edited by jimp; 06-06-2017 at 05:24 PM.
GO BIG ORANGE !
I meant to behave, but there were just way too many other options available at the time.