firedog978
Well-Known Member
I ran into a unique problem and hoping someone has dealt with this issue?
I have a 2001 Nitro F & S Sport 175. The original MG trolling motor is still on and working fine. Last season the bow arm section had a piece break out. In this off season (winter), I purchased the new arm and put it on. In doing so, I ran into one problem. The entire swing bracket for the trolling motor, mounts to the 'base plate'. That year the plate was such that it had 4 screws in position from underneath the plate that the swing bracket sat down on to attach it. The screws were almost impossible to prevent from turning in place while I tried to remove the nylon nuts for removing the bracket. That was solved by wedging a large flathead screwdriver between plate and bracket to hold the screws from turning. However, when attempting to put the bracket back on, the same problem of the screws turning proved more difficult. I eventually epoxied them to allow for attaching the bracket. This worked and allowed me to get everything mounted.
Now the main question. When the mounting plate was fully visible with the trolling motor and bracket off, it appeared to be permanately mounted. I saw NO WAY to remove that plate. Along with the 4 screws coming from underneath there were 2 steel pins that appeared to be driven (countersunk)down into the plate to hold it secure. There is no access beneath to drive them up and out. The 4 screws cannot even be removed or replaced because of no access to do so. This plate appears to me to be permanently mounted as is. And, if I should wish to change to a new trolling motor, I am not sure this mounting plate would accomodate doing so. Has anybody ever dealt with this on older style MG trolling motors?
Sorry for the long post and no pics. I should have taken some before re-assembling.
I have a 2001 Nitro F & S Sport 175. The original MG trolling motor is still on and working fine. Last season the bow arm section had a piece break out. In this off season (winter), I purchased the new arm and put it on. In doing so, I ran into one problem. The entire swing bracket for the trolling motor, mounts to the 'base plate'. That year the plate was such that it had 4 screws in position from underneath the plate that the swing bracket sat down on to attach it. The screws were almost impossible to prevent from turning in place while I tried to remove the nylon nuts for removing the bracket. That was solved by wedging a large flathead screwdriver between plate and bracket to hold the screws from turning. However, when attempting to put the bracket back on, the same problem of the screws turning proved more difficult. I eventually epoxied them to allow for attaching the bracket. This worked and allowed me to get everything mounted.
Now the main question. When the mounting plate was fully visible with the trolling motor and bracket off, it appeared to be permanately mounted. I saw NO WAY to remove that plate. Along with the 4 screws coming from underneath there were 2 steel pins that appeared to be driven (countersunk)down into the plate to hold it secure. There is no access beneath to drive them up and out. The 4 screws cannot even be removed or replaced because of no access to do so. This plate appears to me to be permanently mounted as is. And, if I should wish to change to a new trolling motor, I am not sure this mounting plate would accomodate doing so. Has anybody ever dealt with this on older style MG trolling motors?
Sorry for the long post and no pics. I should have taken some before re-assembling.