Jack Nut photos

[Mark Hofman]

Here is what the bolts and nuts look like (3 photos).



In this photo, you can see the three bolts that use Jack Nuts. The red arrow points to the open hole on my boat where the Jack Nut was broken. I removed the deck, cut the head of the bolt off with a hacksaw, and let everything else drop to the bottom of the boat. The last bolt uses a Motorguide rubber isolator because it is through the plywood deck, not aluminum.

 

[Mark Hofman]

This is the broken Jack Nut and cut-through bolt. I really wrecked this thing!

 

[Mark Hofman]

Here is the other (good) bow-end bolt and Jack-Nut. The rubber isolator must be used to keep the mount level, since the deck is just a shade lower than the top of the gunnel.
http://www.stlhofman.com/jacknut.jpg

 

[Mark Hofman]

Oops, let's try that again.

 

[Mark Hofman]

Unscrew these four bolts, and you can lift the entire mount right up off of the deck. I would recommend taking the motor out of the mount first, to make things a bit easier on your back and hands. I've got photos of how to do that on a Motorguide 15 mount/Tracker 50 motorin case any of you new boat owners are interested.



Mark

 

[Mark Hofman]

Oh, one more thing. Don't use a power screwdriver or electric drill except to loosen the bolts initially! It is too easy to strip the bolts and break the Jack Nut if you use the power tool to completely unscrew the bolt! Use a long-shaft Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the bolt the rest of the way. You'll be able to better feel if the bolt should bind up, and you won't have to hear the sickening sound of the Jack Nut breaking.

 

[Mark Hofman]

I just got the call from my local dealer (The Fishin' Hole). The repairs to my mount and boat ran $100, but they took out the bow deck again and installed through-bolts with lock washers and regular nuts in addition to the Jack Nuts. They have done several repairs like mine to TV-18's, and have determined that a true "fix" means more than replacing the original parts. In addition, the work they did makes it virtually impossible for someone to easily steal the mount. Thieves can get the motor, but they won't have a mount for it.



I'd give Fishin' Hole a five star rating for thinking about more than just fixing a symptom. They really corrected a basic problem with the design and layout of the original mount and boat, and used experiences from other boats to help me with mine. Thanks, Fishin' Hole!!!



MO

 

[Craig Roberts]

Hey Mark, we have been thru-bolting the trolling motors here for the last 2 seasons. They are MUCH stronger that way.



Craig

 

[Mark Hofman]

Craig:



Now if only Motorguide would make the decket out of vinyl-coated aluminum or carbon fiber instead of plastic . . . it needs to be impact resistant!



The guys at the Fishin' Hole here in St. Louis have been extremely helpful to me, even through I made the mistake of not buying my boat through them. Good group. Jon, especially, is very knowledgable and helpful. No high pressure sales tactics, truthful and patient. Great "new" location with an awesome selection/showroom, and a fantastic parts department. They even INVITED me to come back if I had any warranty work!!!!!!!! Can you believe that????



Of course, they may just be ROFLTBHO watching me kick myself in the hindend over and over and over again. They're showing me how nice they all are - because they are even NICER to people who buy boats from them!



(Hmmm...maybe I should post this stuff in another dealer report.)



I hate to say it, Craig, but I may never need to send you an e-mail about parts again.



MO