Well, I finally got to take my boat out today, and I was super happy. I didn't have anyone on hand to bring with me, so I went alone (first mistake). Let's consider the fact that I have never taken a boat on a trailer anywhere before.

It started out good. I unplugged the trailer lights, took off the cardboard temp. plate, and backed her down into the water. Then I climbed up and tied her up, unhooked the winch, and proceeded to drive out.

CLUNK....  SPLASH!  >! I knew I was forgetting something!

I didn't have the trolling motor shaft up high enough, and it got caught on the winch, and promptly broke the mounting bracket in half! This is another reason why I should get a bow mount trolling motor.

Well, I still got to go out and drive around, but the feeling was bittersweet, as I watched my poor trolling motor lie helpless and injured at my feet.

I have a friend that is a welder, and he is going to see what he can do. I will probably end up with something a little sturdier, but lesson definitely learned!

Ouch, but if you don't have a bow mount TM, how did it get caught on the winch?  And what exaclty got caught on the winch?  What kind of boat do you have?   Good luck with getting it fixed.

Doug

I just have a transom mount TM mounted on the bow. The bottom got caught(area of the prop).

see this link. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1174279787

Ohh I see now, as long as the TM isnt broken you should be ok, can always make a mount somehow for a transom mount.  Nice boat by the way, got anything planned to do to it?

I've got quite a bit planned, but I am kind of waiting, because if I strip it down, I won't be able to fish during that time.

I'm not positive but that trolling motor may cause you some problems anyway. I had one that looks like that believe it was a 10# or a 20#. I had it on one of those small 2 man bass boats and with any wind on electric only small lake didn't know if I could get back to the ramp.

If you haven't already used it on this boat don't be surprised if it is underpowered. Then again I was on an electric only lake, diff than just moving around shorelind and having a gas motor.

Congrats on the boat you will have fun with it. You'll get her set up the way you want it.

Yeah, it is a 28# that I got for 25 bucks. Can't complain at all for the price. I hope to upgrade to a 55# bow mount, but after buying boat, gas motor, and all the fees that come with, I am just going to have to wait a while. Thanks for the suggestions though.