TNReb, I am hoping to getmy rig out for the first time this week. Is it mmanageable without a rudder? Some of the previous posts have me concerned about having the TM up front without one.

I keep my seats on and run a pull strap(not ratchet) strap from front handle, diagonally over the seat frames to the opposite side rear handle. Need a long strapthough. I tied part of a broken strap to the hook to extend it. I go over one frame bar then under and to the back seat frame and do the same. Can't go anywhere. Ratchet straps would work but i DESPISE them! The trolling motor in front is plenty manageable, just annoying in wind. Gotta get me a rudder made.. Hope this helps.

My dad is putting a stake/push pole on back...hope it helps in wind.

TNReb, I am hoping to getmy rig out for the first time this week. Is it mmanageable without a rudder? Some of the previous posts have me concerned about having the TM up front without one.

Just run the motor in the back and you will be ok. With the motor in the front and no rudder in the back the slightest wind will blow your ass end around. 

Just run the motor in the back and you will be ok. With the motor in the front and no rudder in the back the slightest wind will blow your ass end around.

Wouldnt the same be true of the front end though? If the battery, motor, and myself are in the back would it lift the front too much? if the tm is up front i can at least seperate my weight from the battery.

Wouldnt the same be true of the front end though? If the battery, motor, and myself are in the back would it lift the front too much? if the tm is up front i can at least seperate my weight from the battery.

You can adjust the motor to push into a slight wind when the motor is on the back. When it is on the front you will fishtail and spin in the wind unless you are going in reverse. If you have someone with you in the back it may track a little better but if you are alone you need a rudder for the back if the motor is in the front to improve tracking. 

 

Try it if you like it may be ok in a,light wind if you are a big big dude. I am 190 and with the battery(size 29) in the back and my gear there still was not enough weight to keep the pontoons down enough to track well. I had to switch it around while on the water, good thing I brought a screw driver jic, because the wind was so bad I just kept fishtailing like crazy and spinning around and couldn't even keep it straight enough to get back to the ramp.. 

Where i fish it has to be up front. Shallow logs,rocks, limbs etc. You can't see what's in the water from the back.

For the guys that run outboards do you have the battery in the front?

For you folks that have mounted a rudder on a trolling motor mount, what's the best length for the D.I.Y. shaft?I think, I remember reading 30" from the mount, but I just wanted to check with those of you on what's working for you. I just bought a new mount on eBay.

Georgetown bassin, i just bought a 2.5 hp 4stroke yamaha, 37 lbs. I just slid the battery almost as far as the wires will reach, basically under the rear seat under my gf who fishes in the back. Does great.

I also glued that anti slide stuff on the bottom of my minn kota power center box so it doesn't slide around.

Just run the motor in the back and you will be ok. With the motor in the front and no rudder in the back the slightest wind will blow your ass end around. 

 

I've ran my boat about a dozen times, and still don't have a rudder for it.  It will blow your tail end around, but when I'm fishing alone, it's manageable.  

Pointhunter, do you have a 10 foot or 8 foot boat?

10 ft with the wires

I have an 8 foot but mine has a deck built on it with a bow mount trolling motor and with no one in the front i,m having to run the battery up front using my little mercury 2.5 because my rub rail is underwater

Finally got around to making a rudder.  Pretty simple really.  Cut the ends off an old trolling motor that didn't work.  Cut a piece of sheet metal to size, and bolted it in to the shaft.

 

That is a great set up.  I could not locate any transit mounts under $30.00 so I made mine from the PVC but, yours is great.

That is a great set up.  I could not locate any transit mounts under $30.00 so I made mine from the PVC but, yours is great.

 

I think I'm going to make one for my dad out of PVC.  Seems like it'd do just as well, and cheap to replace if it happens to hit something and break.

I got a Pond Prowler and love it all except on those windy days get blown all over. Think I'm gonna find an old donor trolling motor mount and make one of these.

im sure this has been asked many times throughout this post . but i just recently bought my 10e bass raider. What exaclty does the rudder do? does it make that big a difference with the wind?

What did you use to keep the carpet down?

idk if your still reading this post. just got my own pelican. been on my brothers alot. love these boats. can you tell me more about that Bigfoot switch?? also anyluck with tournaments with these boats? im really intested.

Contact cement would be best

What did you use to keep the carpet down?

 

1/4" plywood.  Carpet is glued and stapled on the underside.  

I took my boat out yesterday evening for the first time since putting the rudder on it.  Wow - what a difference.  The boat never tried to spin - it was soooo much easier to control.