[Eyejuggler]

In 2012 my wife had an injury that expedited an early retirement and terminated our ability to Canoe tour.

I started a simple trolling motor mount project but it got lost in the shuffle until a week ago when we decided to spring for a trolling motor for our 25th anniversary (We live the wild life obviously). I dug it out and resumed finalizing and implementing its installation.
We took it out today for the maiden run at a local lake and brought our little Chihuahua/Cattledog mix and I brought some glass and a clicker.
Bass were few and far between but we observed a Bald Eagle nest with chicks, and I added a Green Heron to my birding life list!
Oh and the mount worked like a charm, no flexing or slipping. It's a pretty simple build and I figured I would post if anyone else had a similar goal.
The canoe is a 25 year old, 18 foot Wenonah Sundowner Kevlar/foam core build.
Enjoy the pics!

In action...

Coby san

Full Bald Eagle nest with a commanding view!

 

[Jim Wallace]

Nice to see an ol' Fenwick/Medalist combo in action.
You know, a motor mount like your's just might be what I need for my Native 12. I'm thinking that a Torqueedo might be a lighter motor/battery setup, though. Your setup looks sweet.
Those dang searun cutts always want to keep me prisoner way up a tidal creek in the back of the estuary until low tide, and then I have to fight wind and tide with only my paddle. I think they're tryin' to kill me off.
A motor mount be cheaper than getting a new squanoe or a Nucanoe, and just slapping the motor on the square stern.

 

[Dipnet]

I'm thinking that a Torqueedo might be a lighter motor/battery setup, though

Hope your wallet has deep pockets, Jim!

 

[Jim Wallace]

Hope your wallet has deep pockets, Jim!

Them Torqeedos ain't cheap, and that rhymes with deep! But ya can't take it with ya when they lay ya down 6 feet! My goal is to time things right, and play my game tight, so that I spend my last red cent before the endless night.

 

[Jim Wallace]

The Torqeedo system for kayaks weighs only 16 lbs. That includes motor, controls, battery, mounting hardware...everything! That incredible weight savings over anything made by Minnkota (since they require a deep cycle marine battery...very heavy!!!!) is nearly priceless!

 

[Jim Wallace]

Went ahead and ordered a Torqeedo 403 Ultralight.

 

[Eyejuggler]

Looks pretty sweet! pics of the install please!

 

[Jim Wallace]

Looks pretty sweet! pics of the install please!

Will do, once it arrives. The supplier has to back order it, and then it will ship direct to me. I'm going to slap it on the stern of my Ultimate 12 for auxiliary power for fighting wind and tide. It won't have steering (be using the paddle for that), but I'll be able to rotate it up out of the water for when I don't need it, using a short length of line and a jam cleat.
My main means of propulsion will still be my paddle.
I might get an extra "attachment ball" so that I can also mount it on my Tarpon 140, and then I can use my rudder controls (foot pedals) for steering. Might have to remove the rudder for that, though, and I already have a downwind sail rig for it that needs the rudder.
Its mainly for the U-12
edit: I think I'll leave the rudder on the Tarpon, and just use the sail on it.

 

[zen leecher aka bill w]

I have a motor mount that I used on my easy rider canoe back when I owned it. I think it's still in the garage... mount that is, not the canoe.

 

[Jim Wallace]

I still have a funky home-made bracket with an anchor drop that fit the bow of my old Sportspal canoe, and also a clamp-on bracket with a 360 degree seat swivel. Both of 'em collecting dust in my garage.

 

[Jim Wallace]

Came home this afternoon and found a phone message from the Torqeedo dealer. She told me that Torqeedo recalled all of the Ultralight 403s, and are replacing them with a much improved version, for the same price! I asked her to go ahead and order it. Should be here around the middle of next week.
Looking forward to LiNMC power!