Pinpoint and Big Water Gator II

[Lungin]

I know that some of you guys have rigged the pinpoint this way. Well, I just got my pinpoint back from Warranty Repair from The Motor Clinic. They did a bang up job and turned it around very quickly. Here's the question, though. As a replacement for the cracked pinpoint mount, I got a Big Water Gator II. How did you guys who are using this set-up mount the bracket on the boat? I've heard complaints about those rubber isolators and would be alot more comfortable using bolts, washers, and nuts to secure that bracket. Any thoughts? Will I be ok if I don't use the isolators?

Thanks in advance.

Brad

[Ristorapper]

In mounting my pinpoint motor back in '98 I was told to use bolts, nuts and washers and am glad for that recommendation. In no way do I want that piece of equipment dangling off the bow because I didn't do it that way. I however used the pinpoint extension bracket as I did not know of anything else available way back then('98)!! Bolt it down, you owe yourself that peace of mind. Bob W.

Don't forget when mounting the bracket to try to get the bracket/shaft of the motor as level as possible.

[moreyes]

I am glad to here that they are back into the Pinpoint repair bus.. I have 2700 and have worried that if I have a issue what do I do with it. What kind of problems did you have? Aslo what did they ding you for the Big Water Gator 2? If you dont mind me asking.

Thanks KLH

[Brian_MN]

Motor Clinic is definitely back in the Pinpoint business. We talked to them on Wednesday, and they have everything they need to get any problems resolved and turn you around very quickly.

As for the Big Water Gator II, it's a great mount, very secure, very strong, and it stows a 60 inch shaft the way it should be, flush with the front of the boat, with no need for extensions. For best results, use through bolts, washers, and locknuts to secure it to your bow. The rubber isolators are, in my opinion, inadequate for the pounding that occurs on the bow of a walleye boat.


Brian_MN
#312

[Lundeyes]

Longin,
Hi on your question on the rubber washers you really don't need them.
I've been with Pin-Point for 5 years and never used them. Did not have any problems at all. Good motor by the way.

[Lungin]

Thanks guys! I hoped that I didn't need to use those stupid isolators to mount this thing, and deep down, I guess I knew that I could use bolts. I just needed some confirmation from you guys.

My pinpoint mounting bracket cracked and they replaced it under warranty through Motorguide, so I didn't have to pay for it. You should have seen the smile on my face when the motor clinic said they were sending these out to replace broken Pinpoint mounts under warranty. I wanted to get my hands on one of these before the old one broke, but no one sells them separately. They also fixed the directional indicator arrow that would spin loose all the time.

If anyone has any other tips, feel free to throw them out here.

Thanks for all the info, all.


Brad

[WAZ]

Don't ask me. My pinpoint is at the bottom of Little Bay De Noc. I had a big gator mount. Not quite sure how I had it fasten, but it wasn't good enough.

[Paul H]

How about an address / phone / eamil for them. I have one being boxed up for shipment right now (shouda' kept the danged box)

[moreyes]

Did you happen to see whay the Big Water Gator 2 cost by chance? I would like to replace my Pinpoint bracket.

Thanks KLH

[Ristorapper]

I need the pinpoint Motor Clinic phone number too if anyone has it. I cannot find the proper CBAY 20 cable for my '98 motor to hook up a new 7500. Thanks.

[Ristorapper]

Did the search engine thing and found it:

http://www.motorclinic.com/

952.881.0898

:)bw(:

[dale in mn]

Big Water Gator is without a doubt a improvement. I own two pinpoint motors and threw both of the brackets in the dumpster to upgrade to the BWG..........love it

[Lungin]

For those of you who have made the switch to the gator mount, how did you attach the cable handle of the pinpoint to the new gator mount. I figured I could just use zip ties and tie it to the bracket in a spot similar to where it was in the pinpoint mount, but how have you guys done it?

Thanks,

Brad

[dale in mn]

We used a metal strap like you use to hang conduit or metal pipe....

I think zip ties would work well though....

dale in mn

[REW]

Actually, I really prefer to use the rubber isolaters to mount my motor with the following condition:

I drill the 1/2 inch mounting holes to allow entrance of the rubber isolators. I then put the mounting bolt through the motor with a large washer under the head of the bolt. I screw the bolt in and snug it reasonably tight -- just so that there is a bit of give in the isolator to give some shock absorbation.

Now, I add the following:
To do this, it may require longer mounting bolts, or perhaps not.
I add a large fender washer on the underside of the rubber mounting cushion on the underside of the gunnel. Then, I add a stainless steel bolt, with a nylon locking center in the bolt.

This means that I am basically using bolts and stainless locking nuts and washers to secure the motor to the deck, but I also have the rubber mounts, to give a bit of vibration isolation, and shock absorbtion, for the motor.

Before adding the washers and nuts on the underside of the deck, I found that about every 3rd trip, I would have to retighten the bolts, to keep the motor from coming loose from the deck. Since adding the washers and locking nuts, I still have the isolation, but I have never had to tightn a bolt again.

Take care
REW

[Stormsearch]

I have done what Rew has suggested and thought it was the best all around. However, I know have stress cracks around my RAM trolling motor support because the Gator mount became loose. I found out that my isolators had cracked under the deck, basically splitting in two. Not only did I lose my "cushioning effect" but now there was a lot slop. I believe my problem came when I tightened them down too much with the fender washer and nylock underneath. One of my first projects this year is to remove the bracket and those isolators. I am still going to use the top side of the isolator for support on top but will use straight up SS washer/nlock underneath. I just plan on cutting the isolators off just below the "T". I will probably never recommend them again, mainly because it is another item that can go bad either through improper install (like I did) or over time they may wear out. Not worth it anylonger, for me anyway.

[garyboeshart]

Is there a difference between the original Big Water Gator Mount and the Big Water Gator11? If Original Big Water will work with my pinpoint 3700 I'll be busy changing it out this weekend. Amazing what one can learn here.

[LRN]

I recommend using the rubber isolators, but cut off the nut and bolt tube. Just use the isolator as a pad on the bow. Using the isolators should be determined by the bow surface you are mounting to. My last boat was aluminum with nothing on the bow surface so I used the isolators as mounting pads without the bolt tubes and used stainless steel bolts, washers and locknuts. On my new fiberglass boat the manufacture has a rubber pad on the bow surface so the big water mount is bolted against the rubber pad. Hope this helps.

[Thwark]

Have any of you guys used a removeable motor mount with your pinpoint? My motor is bolted through, not using isolators, to the deck of my boat. I was thinking of purchasing a removable mount for my motor. Anybody outthere used one of these?

[clint]

I mounted my pinpoint on a retractable/removeable mount.sn 01-0721-003 made for big gator mount and pinpoint motors listed in cabelas,works great i removed my motor for the winter put inside,was easy to remove.

[Ristorapper]

When I mounted my bracket, I used rubber spacers between the bracket and the bow to level the bracket. I mounted a small rubber spacer between the bracket and the bow of the highest spot. I then "leveled" the bracket from there using rubber spacers between the bracket and the bow again until the bracket was fairly level. This is where I got my shock absorbtion for mount and motor. Make sure you start out with long enough bolts to do this. Bob W.

[Lungin]

I'm having a bit of trouble getting this thing level on the front of a Ranger 690. I've done this a couple of times as I've switched from an autopilot to the pinpoint with the pinpoint mount and now to the Gator Mount. I'm guessing I want to get the thing to sit level on the spacers before I bolt it down. Otherwise, I'll bind the mount. It's not level if I use four equal sized spacers so I'm forced to build it up on the back end on one side. If I check it with a level after I get it to sit flat on all of the spacers, it's not level. Is this a concern? Can I assume that when the boat is in the water that the bow portion is going to be parallel with the water? Is it ok to build it up on the one side that needs it? I'm stuck here and need some direction.

Thanks,

Brad