Trolling motor stabilizer

[sportfish1]

Originally Posted by bbheli

In the picture it looks like the head is higher and the shaft is not level, it looks torqued up like it should be sitting lower. Maybe my glasses are crooked.

All that's needed may be is to move the ball on that's on the trolling motor.
Mine is a little the other way, pulled down about a 1/4 inch. I take the tension off when I'm not towing or motoring in the boat.

This is the Ram Mount I use (https://www.rammount.com/part/RAP-400-202U). I like that it clamps on the shaft and there is no hose clamps or other hardware getting in the way.

[walteye]

The claw style is the same I use for my Terrova on my Crestliner. Works perfect-can clamp on anywhere on the shaft and leaves nothing on the shaft when you unclamp it.
Walteye

[thump55]

I know a lot of guys use the RAM mounts and don't appear to have issues.

I just always kind of thought that while they certainly save the shaft from flexing, they lock the head to the boat tightly so whatever bumps you hit (waves or on the road) are now transferred full force to the head where all the sensitive electronics are.

Without the clamp, the shaft takes up most of the shock and the head may move, but it's not feeling hard impacts. I've never had a bowmount issue without a clamp either. Now if you have a longer shaft or different mounting angle where the head can actually impact the the gunnel on a big bump, then that's a different story...you obviously don't want that.

[mgrandick]

I like the looks of the Ram mount but can't find one locally. I'd like to eyeball it in real time to see if this would be good. Right now I'm using a bungee just as a safe guard

Mike G

[Tr-eye-fecta]

Use the RAM mount with the tough-claw clamp. Usually don't have it connected unless trailering down the road or not using the trolling motor that day on the water.

[northernbite]

I use the claw with my ulterra because of the launching belt.

Paul

[Bill Krejca]

Originally Posted by thump55

I know a lot of guys use the RAM mounts and don't appear to have issues.

I just always kind of thought that while they certainly save the shaft from flexing, they lock the head to the boat tightly so whatever bumps you hit (waves or on the road) are now transferred full force to the head where all the sensitive electronics are.

Without the clamp, the shaft takes up most of the shock and the head may move, but it's not feeling hard impacts. I've never had a bowmount issue without a clamp either. Now if you have a longer shaft or different mounting angle where the head can actually impact the the gunnel on a big bump, then that's a different story...you obviously don't want that.

Re: flex - exactly the reason I set mine up as I indicated. I don't want the motor head, which is on the end of the pendulum swing to absorb every "water bump".

Bill

[AllenW]

Originally Posted by bbheli

that looks to tall like it has stress on it .

No stress, and the Ram mount is moveable if you want it lower.

Al

[hookem-1]

I use a ram mount. I was a journeyman machinist and made a block to mount the ram ball to my gunnel