PinPoint Mounting: AIO or other

[Kurt_wi]

I'm now at the point to mount my pinpoint trolling motor on the bow. I've heard good things from several about the AIO product. AIO still doesn't have complete directions and setup for the installation with the extender hardware. I'm not exactly the most handy person with tools and want this to be as easy as possible.

Those of you that have done this, any words of advice or tips? I need to move on ordering this in the next day. If not AIO, which others would you look at?

thanks.
Kurt

[Hans]

I have the a PinPoint 3700-60" mounted on extender brackets and the AIO system. I like the installation, but there are a couple of things you need to do to make it "persactly right".

First, make sure you get the latest version of the AIO model M92-01 -- the early versions were NOT drilled to accept PinPoint. If your dealer has older stock, it might not be drilled right.

Second, the bolts which come with the AIO unit are measured for an installation *without* the extender bracket. You'll need to visit your local hardware store and get a set which are 1/4" longer.

Third, the AIO boat-side plate (the one which stays on the boat) is nicely drilled for up to 10 mounting bolts, but AIO only provides 4 bolts and spacers. This seemed a little light to me, so I added 4 more bolts and spacers, for a total of eight. The 3700 is a pretty beefy motor, and I feel a lot better with the additional bolts to hold it in place.

I know this all sounds kinda complicated, but it really isn't, and the final product is really nice.

Then, when you get on the water, you'll think you died and went to heaven. It's akin to magic! Can't imagine ever going back to a "normal" or "autopilot" trolling motor system.

Get the net!

Hans

--
"There is nothing; absolutely nothing; half so much worth doing,
as simply messing about in boats." :-)

[Kurt_wi]

Thanks for the input. I've been talking to AIO also. Did you have to drill holes in the extender bracket or the AIO portion? I've heard that it would need those. If so, can you give some guidance as to what you did? That way I could mimic your setup and get myself on the way to pinpoint happiness. I'd order the thing today then. Appreciate your input. My system is the 3700-60 also with the 7500 and 7520 displays.

Thanks again,
Kurt

[Hans]

LAST EDITED ON May-23-00 AT 02:50PM (CST)[p]

I didn't have to drill holes in anything (except the foredeck of my boat).

The six holes (three sets of two) in the Pinpoint motor mount line up exactly with six holes in the AIO, with the extender bracket sandwiched in between.

Let's see if I can make a graphic.....

Pinpoint - - - - - - - - - - ->---|-----|--------|--
Extender Bracket - - - - - ->...|..---|--------|--
AIO top plate - - - - - -->-----|-----|--------|--

This "sandwich" is held together by six bolts (vertical lines in my graphic).

Note that the extender bracket is shorter than the outside two slices of the sandwich, and has only 4 bolts passing through. This leaves a gap between the slices where the rear set of bolts goes through. I put a stack of stainless washers in between there to even out the tension.

Then on the boat is a second plate which the "sandwich" above slides onto. This boatside plate is held above the boat deck about 3/4" by 4 bolts and spacer "donuts". I added (for my own peace of mind) an additional 4 bolt/spacers for a total of eight. The holes are already there in the AIO plate.



--
"There is nothing; absolutely nothing; half so much worth doing,
as simply messing about in boats." :-)

[Gunga Din]

Kurt--I took a few pics to confirm my setup with Tom at AIO. They're still online at www.climbing-guides.com/aio. I've got more if you want me to post or email them.

All said and done, I'm happy with the AIO mount. But previously having an Autopilot, I have the following frustrations:

1. The height of the AIO bracket plus the height of the Pinpoint ext bracket raise the motor several inches off the bow, turning a 60" shaft into a 58" shaft.
2. The weight of the ext bracket makes for a heavy package when you remove the motor from the mount.
3. The Pinpoint mounting instructions for use with the ext bracket were non-existent. And the poor AIO docs made this difficult for me to figure out.

[jrasar]

I have the Pin Point 3700 with a 60" shaft. I'm having a Gator Power Mount installed this week. Heard some good things about the power mount. Good luck!

[Kurt_wi]

The pics helped a bit, i send you an email to have you send other pics to help me along if you would. Can you give me the approximate dimensions of where you drilled so i can try to line it up. Hans sounded like he needed no extra holes?!??

thanks
kurt

[Kurt_wi]

Sounds like it won't be too complicated to setup and install on my lund. I'm ordering one today.

Thanks all
Kurt

[Kurt_wi]

Hans,

One more question, who did you order your mount from? I've been trying to get ahold of AIO directly, but to no avail. Thanks again.

I'm looking forward to the trail runs with the new system.

Kurt

[Hans]

Reeds sells the mount.

--
"There is nothing; absolutely nothing; half so much worth doing,
as simply messing about in boats." :-)

[Gunga Din]

I'll take some more pictures this evening. Basically, you just need to mount the ext bracket and AIO plate to the Pinpoint scissor mount. There's really only one way they all fit together and have the holes line up. With the ext bracket, you lose a lot of the distance the thing can retract--and after you drill the new hole you're left with about 5". That's the downside. But the upside is that it's easy to remove, which is my primary concern.

My email address is Dennis@Climbing-Guides.com. That Gator Power Mount sounds like a great system!!

[Kurt_wi]

Thanks.... I'll email you my address. I looked at the gator, but the cost is more than i should spend, according to the better half.

kurt

[Tom]

I visited with the people at AIO and they are working out the bugs of installation and instructions. They are going to add drawings to the instructions and supply bolts to use with the extender bracket. They hope to have this accomplished within the next couple of weeks. They are also going to put up a web page with info and pictures of the mounts.

[Kurt_wi]

Thanks for all the input and advice. I have it installed. The directions need work, a lot of work, but i understand from another post they are working on it.

Gunga Din, the pics you pointed me at did the trick.

Now to get out and play with the new toy.

Thanks again.
Kurt