In the process of a rebuild and need to know how big to make the platform to mount the trolling motor. The original size was about 16-17" from the front of the boat. However, this is a 1987 boat, thus a 1987 trolling motor. Have the sizes of the trolling motor brackets changed? The plate on my trolling motor is about 23" long. How big is mine compared to yours?

My Tracker has a 27" motor mount deck and the trolling motor has a 24" total length mount. The mount hole pattern is 14" in length.

10-4!    

thanks

 I bought a new trolling motor for an older ('84) aluminum bass boat. Like Wayne the mount hole pattern was considerably shorter than the bracket itself. It would actually fit the old platform. I refitted all the wood and carpet in the boat. I extended the platform on that side 2'' passed the end of the new bracket...

skillet

From a structural stand point from the outer edge of the material to the center line of the hole a minimum of 2 ½ times the diameter of the fastener is all that is required to retain structural integrity.