My aluminum 10' Lowe's flat bottom V is very stable. Much of the time I can stand in it when casting. But this was before I bought the 2.5 hp Merc. Once the starting problem was solved by a local mechanic, the next problem is where to put the trolling motor.

I was concerned that the battery and heavy 4-stroke would weigh the transom down to much when I sat on the back seat not to mention the 45# thrust Minn Kota tm. Since I've always used a handle extension for the tm to be able to sit in the middle seat, I couldn't see myself twisted around handling it along with the gas motor. Besides, the extension handle can not be used when both motors are side-by-side on the transom.

Solution: attach a thin board with screws just up from the oar lock to take the tm bracket. Aluminum is thin and the stress was too much without the wood. I can still use the oars and swivel the tm in any direction (extension not needed) while sitting in the middle seat.

The tm is tilted horizontal to the water when the gas motor is running and the gas motor is tilted with prop out of the water in shallow water when fishing to avoid stumps, rocks, weeds, etc. The combined weight of the tm battery, gas motor and me on the back seat still allows a nice speed with little transom dip.

If I use my 12' flat bottom boat, I will have to figure out where to put the tm other than the very front due to a metal handle in the way. Most likely a side mount also. The 10' is easier to load so I use it when fishing solo.