Thread: Struffling to mount my new MK PD on Tracker tx17

I am really struggling to figure out the correct way to mount a PD on my '88 tracker tx-17. If anyone has done this, please share a picture with me so I can visualize the best orientation. The previous motor was a Maxxum that had a much larger "foot" plate to mount on the front deck. I stared and tried to figure this out for about 3 hours yesterday and I am just as confused now. Do I need a mounting plate?? It just seems like the base plate on the motor is so small and needs to extend so far off the deck in order to deploy properly. I did notice a quick mount bracket that MK offers that looks like two pieces of extruded metal that slide together - Am thinking this may work but wanted to check here before I bought anything.
I know it is a pain in the butt to post picture, but if dont mind it would be helpful

Tom

Quote-- I did notice a quick mount bracket that MK offers that looks like two pieces of extruded metal that slide together -Yes this bracket works very good, Lets U slide tm completely off if needed, but normally u just slide tm forward when u using it. When done slide tm back out of way for trailering, storage etc. There are holes for a lock if u wish to lock it to boat when not in use.

not much to work with there is what I been saying. I had to drill a couple of extra 1/4" holes into the base as there holes are in terrible place. I know they say to use the forward holes if possible but it's hard when half the base has to be out over the water. Terrible design and CHEAP. For 1K you would expect that they could make the base about 6 inches longer. You can make it work. Post a pic of your bow.

I don't have a tracker....but also befuddled about the small footprint of the MK. I just switched from a mortorguide with a long footprint to the short footprint terrova. Also, the fact that you have to mount it an 1 1/2 inch out past your rub rail. I have an old Ranger fiberglass that has already seen probably 3-4 different trolling motors in it's lifetime and the bow was starting to look like swiss cheese. I went to a local salvage yard and had them cut me a piece of 1/2 inch aluminum, 8 inches by 2 ft. I have a cheap tap and die set so I marked where I wanted the terrova and then drilled and tapped the 1/4 x 20 holes and then mounted it. It is really sturdy , plus, if I want to go back to my motorguide or other motor it is just a matter of drilling and tapping the aluminum and not my boat. It is very sturdy. I was thinking on how to do this and also saw an old post by cane pole where he did the very same thing. Oh...the aluminum was 10 lbs and cost me $26 plus tax. I am pleased by the sturdiness of the whole thing.

HHD

Here's what I did on a fiberglass 18' CC. I wish I had thought of the junkyard option. Mine is a piece of 1/4" aluminum plate 6" x 24" (twice the length of the TM foot). I bolted it to the foot of the Powerdrive TM then to the boat. Some of the bolts go through both the plate and the foot. Others (like on the front) only bolt the plate to the TM foot. It seems pretty sturdy. I got mine at a local metal shop but paid twice what HHD did. I agree - I thought the foot was too small.

I bet a couple of pieces of 1" x 1/4" thick aluminum angle would work too - you can get it at Lowe's.

Hope it helps.

Correction - Some of the bolts go through both the plate, the foot and into the boat. Bad editing on my part.

They say if you experience struffling that lasts longer than 4 hours, call a doctor.

Struggled with the same deal on my G3 1756. Different boat, but the nose is just about the same as your TX17. I ended up just going with 4 bolts and ignoring the front two. I really had to struggle to get the most forward 2 secured since it gets tight that far forward. Worried about it, but it's dang secure with a backing plate.

What bothers me now is that much of the mounting hanging that far in front of the nose. Back off a steep ramp and the boat may fall down and the motor hit the bow stand and or roller. I think the best solution would be the retractable mounting plate deal, but like the solutions above if the steep ramp/bow stand is not a problem for ya.

I wimped out since I didn't and don't think I'll be keeping this PD long. Planning a move to the Terrova and Ipilot.

Wannabe...

MCF nice job. As I was saying why can't they just make the base plate that big or add that piece of alum in to their MK package. I paid over $800. All i was saying is I would expect them to not skimp so much that you have to hire a fabricator to make a piece. Not a lot of folks think outside the box. The SUPER big problem is the extra clearance it needs.

I didn't have time to post some pictures of my set up yesterday but here it is. Aluminum is pretty easy to work with. I used a jig saw with metal cutting blade and a big file to shape to fit boat contour and round corners. I have some access to underneath so just placed the aluminum where I wanted it and used a 1/4 x 20 bolt dipped in some boat polish (just as a marker) and came up from underneath using old holes and marked where to drill. I drilled the holes then took a bigger bit to countersink a recess for the head of the bolt to fit in so I had a flush top. Then I oriented the terrova on top where I wanted it, and marked where to drill holes and then drilled and tapped for 1/4 x 20 thread. I then bolted down the aluminum to the boat and used stainless bolts with fender washers and nylock nuts underneath. Then I bolted the terrova to the plate using the 6 holes and 1 inch ss bolts.
Hope this helps others.

HHD

Nice looking job HHD. Thanks for the pictures.