Stevo_fishes Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 Hey y’all, I’ve been thinking about doing some small upgrades this season on my boat, a 96’ nitro 180 fs. These include putting new carpet on the front deck, a bow mount bridge sonar mount with a cup holder, and maybe a recessed trolling motor tray. Are the trolling motor trays worth it? Do they reduce deck space? My boat isn’t the biggest 😂 just thought I’d try and update the front deck a little Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User gimruis Posted January 8 Super User Share Posted January 8 What kind of bow mount do you have? Some models have more of a flatter-style foot pedal and some have the taller, cable steer ones. If you have an Ultrex or Fortrex, I'd high recommend a recessed tray for the pedal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User WRB Posted January 8 Super User Share Posted January 8 Forget the tray with cup holder or any made from plastic. Use a aluminum black anodized tray with drain and SST screws. Your front deck isn’t long enough for a large tray, get a model made for your TM foot control peddle that comes with a pattern for the cut out. The only question I have is why dis you wait so long? Tom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo_fishes Posted January 8 Author Share Posted January 8 42 minutes ago, gimruis said: What kind of bow mount do you have? Some models have more of a flatter-style foot pedal and some have the taller, cable steer ones. If you have an Ultrex or Fortrex, I'd high recommend a recessed tray for the pedal. I still have the original motor guide brute that came with it, I considered upgrading, and some friends suggested I stay with it just to learn and since those motors are pretty solid I figured might as well stay with it 16 minutes ago, WRB said: Forget the tray with cup holder or any made from plastic. Use a aluminum black anodized tray with drain and SST screws. Your front deck isn’t long enough for a large tray, get a model made for your TM foot control peddle that comes with a pattern for the cut out. The only question I have is why dis you wait so long? Tom What would be a good size tray? I was planning on aluminum. I found a sonar mount with a cup holder that would straddle the tray. I don’t want the cup holder on the tray since that would limit what sizes of bottles I can fit in it due to the sonar mount being over it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User WRB Posted January 8 Super User Share Posted January 8 Standard size 17” x 9 1/2” x 4” deep. TBNation has tray on sale now. The problem with cup holder in the bow is don’t forget whatever you put in it, it becomes ballistic at speed. Tom PS Spot Lock is a game changer 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo_fishes Posted January 8 Author Share Posted January 8 Sounds good! Just checking, the 17” x 9 1/2” x 4” should be good for my deck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
looking45 Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 Are you planning on doing this yourself? I suggest you find a shop or someone who has done this to your model boat. You don’t want to cut into a cross beam or strut. You might not have enough room for the install. Make sure it will fit before you start cutting 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo_fishes Posted January 8 Author Share Posted January 8 I was hoping I would be able to do it by myself. The deck is pretty simple, no foam or anything, just the plywood/fiberglass and an empty space, I’ll definitely look around for someone who’s done it on the same model Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
volzfan59 Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 @Stevo_fishes, I sent you a PM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
looking45 Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 If you do it yourself, make sure your measurements are accurate. Cutting the hole too big would not be good 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcipinkie Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 There is really nothing to it if you have any manual skills at all. Check well underneath before cutting. Measure 10 times, then check it. If you cut with a sabre saw, get some extra blades. One possible caveat: Should you elect go to an Ultrex at some later date, good chance the pedal won't fit unless you planned for it. Not familiar with other brands. Worth checking on. Watch your seat base. On a short boat, could be an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo_fishes Posted January 10 Author Share Posted January 10 Definitely, probably won’t do it till I replace the front deck’s carpet in a month or so. Should the standard size tray, 17”x9.5x4 be good for my boat? Haven’t been able to find any shorter ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Solution WRB Posted January 10 Super User Solution Share Posted January 10 You don’t want the tray any shorter, need space for the control cables to exit. Tom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airshot Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 On 1/8/2024 at 3:02 PM, Stevo_fishes said: Hey y’all, I’ve been thinking about doing some small upgrades this season on my boat, a 96’ nitro 180 fs. These include putting new carpet on the front deck, a bow mount bridge sonar mount with a cup holder, and maybe a recessed trolling motor tray. Are the trolling motor trays worth it? Do they reduce deck space? My boat isn’t the biggest 😂 just thought I’d try and update the front deck a little Wow....being a 96' boat it will take a lot of carpet !! Gonna need one heck of a long trolling motor shaft!! Sorry, but couldn't help having a little fun with your post...should be '96.... My own fat fingers often get in the way of what I am typing.....lol..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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