I am definitely sold on purchasing a trolling motor tray to fit in my 1993 Stratos 274 fs.  I have two questions though.

1)  I am curious if all of the commercial trays available will fit the factory installed Evinrude trolling motor foot pedal(still working like new) and will also fit the newer pedals in the event I replace the existing motor.

2) Since there is no good way to view the structure under the front deck, does anyone have knowledge on whether or not there will be structural components in the way if I were to mount the tray front and center on the boat.  It would be bad to buy the tray and when I cut the hole find a support member there.

Thanks for the help and advise.

E-mail sent

The Pro Control tray by Polyfab out of Springfield Mo. will fit just about any foot pedal as the front part of the tray is more of a ramp vs. just a square box.  As in any installation like this,  open as many access openings as you can, pull your front electronics panel and fish a metal coat hanger you've straightened out and poke around.  There will probably be a bunch of foam along with the possibility of 2x3 or 2x4 structural members attached to the underside of the deck.  So far I've yet to hear of anyone having to cut through anything of significance.  

As in any project like this, measure about 3-4 times and cut once.  I'd suggest at least a couple beers to gain the intestinal fortitude to start cutting.  A sawzall works best.  

I didn't have the guts to put a Flatfoot tray in my Champion so I hired it done for $100.  Even guys who do this often had a few problems and cut all the electrical wires running to my front panel.  So I'd say go slow and be careful.

Ah give it here I'll cut it

Seriously though follow cart7t's instructions and like Jig Man said go slow

All my buddies call Ole Catt to cut any holes in their boat; I'll do sometimes 4-5 a month. My suggestion would be to purchase a set of inspection mirrors; my set consists of 4 mirrors is size ranging from the size of a fifty cent piece to a 3x5 rectangle. After removing all access panels or anything that will give you access to under the deck use the mirrors to survey what is or is not there. After the first inspection I layout the hole and then inspect the area again; next I'll have someone else lay it out and inspect the underside.

My '96 Stratos does not have a lot of foam but I was very surprised by the thickness on a 15' 8 boat.

Thanks for the advise.  I did create a cardboard template based on the dimensions for the troll ez.  I am not concerned about the seat post but I am concerned about the front livewell.  I an not exactly sure how far forward it goes once it meets with the underside of the deck.  The box would just fit between the front controls/step up and where it feels the livewell ends.  Does anyone have any advise or experience with these situations or boats?  Thanks.

Open the front livewell and measure how far forward it extends.  Manufactures usually build boats with the compartments glassed onto the underside of the topdeck.  You should allow for about an inch or two between the end of the LW front and the back of your tray hole.  

here is a Comfortroll i put in my 99 273, there was nothing under the deck but a TON of foam...

i love it!!!

Well there ya go!

Cut away.  

Well there ya go!

Cut away.

There is a big difference between a 93 Stratos and a 99.  They redesigned the front decks (and floorplans) sometime after 95.

Well there ya go!

Cut away.

There is a big difference between a 93 Stratos and a 99. They redesigned the front decks (and floorplans) sometime after 95.

Pfffftt..

As Roosevelt said, you have nothing to fear but fear itself.

Well there ya go!

Cut away.

There is a big difference between a 93 Stratos and a 99. They redesigned the front decks (and floorplans) sometime after 95.

Pfffftt..

As Roosevelt said, you have nothing to fear but fear itself.

True that.  I'm going to tackle this job on my tracker sometime this winter.  But I'll probably pull the front deck first.

Hey, it doesn't matter how much you check, how many times you measure, you're still taking a sawzall to the deck of your boat and cutting a big hole into it.  It tends to send chills through anyone that's done it.

That's why I suggested drinking beer ahead of time.  

Thanks for all the info.  My front deck is solid glass under the carpet so there is no way to remove the deck.  The template I made looks like it will just fit but I would feel a lot better knowing someone had already attempted a tray in a boat like this.  

Have plenty of beer on hand.  

I did it to a 2000 skeeter, and there is an OMG what did I just do factor. But it was the single greatest mod I ever put on that boat.  I'll never go without one again.