Thread: Mounting a trolling motor

Originally Posted by catchNgrease

I now own a plusnut tool. It's a Rockstar for sure.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

I never knew I needed or wanted that kind of tool till I got one, now if something needs mounted in the boat it gets either a plusnut or rivnut.

Not sure if you got the one I linked or not, on that one I found that when using it to set rivnuts in the smaller size 10/24 that it is fairly easy to bend the long mandrel if not careful to apply even pressure on both handles at the same time. The mandrel seems to bend due to the smaller diameter and the extra length that is needed for doing the plus nuts. I ended up needing to replace the 10/32 plusnut mandrel because I had it bent out of shape from doing rivnuts.


I ordering the following parts for doing rivnuts rather than risk bending the longer ones again. The ones in the kit work just be mindful they will bend if not careful especially the size 10 mandrels.

10-24 rivnut mandrel
Amazon.com: Astro Tools 1442-A34 10-24 Mandrel : Industrial & Scientific

1/4 rivnut mandrel
Amazon.com: Astro Pneumatic Tool 1442-1/4-20A 1/4-20 Mandrel and Nose Piece for 1442 : Industrial & Scientific

I also found that a set of step drill bits from harbor freight works well for getting the hole size you need, rather than switching drill bits multiple times.

I used a plate of 6061 aluminum I had to make the mounting plate, it’s 1/4”. I don’t have any other pics right now but where it rests on the gunnel and the nose, it got a generous amount of silicone and #10 screws in the gunnel and 14/20 on the nose. The leg has a bolt thrualuminum pipe to stabilize the odd corner. Once that was on I could mount the terrova at the proper overhang. Worked well. I’ve done this before when the motor didn’t have enough purchase to be a sound mounting. You can also use a thicker piece and drill and tap but I don’t like mixing metals when that’s done.

You’re probably done with the project, I’m posting this more for an option to anyone that pulls it up in a search when they’re doing theirs. Now let’s go fishing!