Ram mount for trolling motor

[bigv]

Anyone know of any good deals on them? They're stupid expensive for a little plastic to hold the shaft in place. (that's what she said) Anyway..wondering if anyone has seen a deal anywhere. thanks

 

[Bfishn]

Id skip the ram mount and just use a small bungee cord to put some down tension on the shaft to prevent violent bouncing. Its cheap and it works.

I'm not a fan of the "rigid mount" that a ram creates on the trolling motor head.

 

[ndlongshot]

Yeah because of the price is why I havent picked one up either. Its not "cheap" insurance.

Do you really need one? I havent up until this point and also never had a problem with my motor so maybe its just an accessory that gives the owner a warm fuzzy feeling. Not sure?

Opinions? (sorry didnt mean to hijack, i'm curious too about availability)

 

[Allen]

This question has come up before, about whether or not they are even a good idea.

I am FIRMLY in the camp of they are not needed, and indeed are even bad for the motor if you don't have a reasonable expectation that it bounces enough for the motor head to whack your gunnel. Think of it this way, are you more comfortable driving down a bumpy section line in an old GM 3/4 ton with your head held firmly down on the dash, or do you get less of a headache if your head is held up in the air by that flexible thing we call a neck?

 

[guywhofishes]

I am a fan of supporting the head if for no other reason than to avoid having to watch that thing tremor/shimmy when it's stowed but I'm idling along (harmonics from main motor)

It also is insurance against accidental deployment.

I had an extra RAM mount laying around and just bought this to bolt onto the shaft of the trolling motor - for $15 or some such.

- - - Updated - - -

with regard to Allen's comments - in my opinion electronics can handle the acceleration/deceleration of being firmly attached to a boat. If not you wouldn't see all the dash mounts, hard surface mounts like the Johnny Ray, etc. All quality mounts with have shocks/springs.

Worst case scenario is when a whiplashing trolling motor head gets oscillating hard enough and wacks the gunwale - not THAT's deceleration.

Probably no right/wrong for electronics reasons - I just can't stand that thing bouncing around and going bonkers.

 

[deleted member]

i use one. but, i understand the arguments against it. i'm kind of with guy in that i can't stand to watch it.

 

[guywhofishes]

and there IS actually a goodly amount of shock dampening on a two ball Ram if it's tilted at any appreciable angle.

- - - Updated - - -

and finally - you can't argue that the main body, tilt pins, locking mechanisms, etc. aren't getting hammered/worn putting up with 5 feet of high torque weight oscillating for days and days whereas a secured shaft causes near zero on the main body mount

 

[revolutionz]

I bought one of these and like it way better than the Ram mount....top part is rubber, and doesn't hold the head rigid so it allows for some shock absorption whilst supporting the motor head. Plus, opening that strap is way faster and easier for deploy and stow than unscrewing the Ram mount.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0032FPBL8/?tag=nodakangler10-20

 

[5575]

A ram rod mount works good, kill two birds with one stone..

 

[guywhofishes]

A ram rod mount works good, kill two birds with one stone..

pics? I might convert.

 

[Vollmer]

In my old boat, my powerdrive v2 would bounce too much, so I had a ram mount on that. My Terrova on current boat handles it just fine without, but I like what revolutionz linked there. Easy on, easy off.

 

[walleyeman_1875]

My old powerdrive went through two compasses for the autopilot before I decided to buy the RAM mount. No issues since and use one on my Terrova. I'm sure the new ones are built a bit better but for the price of a trolling motor, I think it is worth the cost.

Then again maybe the real reason I bought one was bouncing across the lake at 40 MPH only to see the powerdrive stand straight up and go down into the water which cause the shaft to snap. That was way back in my younger days....thankfully Scheels replaced it at no cost since the shaft has a lifetime warranty.

 

[shorthairsrus]

i mounted my front rod holder in the exact spot where the bow mount comes down. sits perfectly if i have a rod holder in place -- if not it bounces --- i am not sure what is worse -

 

[guywhofishes]

In my old boat, my powerdrive v2 would bounce too much, so I had a ram mount on that. My Terrova on current boat handles it just fine without, but I like what revolutionz linked there. Easy on, easy off.

Thanks - you guys inspired me. I took the cable clamp off, drilled a 1/4" hole in the ball for a stainless screw, and fastened an original Quick Fist clamp. I think it's going to work great - plus I gain another inch of shaft. Hee hee.

 

[SDMF]

You've got some SERIOUS spring fever.

 

[guywhofishes]

whaaaat? not me

 

[Radar13]

A friend of mine had his trolling motor deploy when he was cruising down the river, tore the trolling motor off the boat. It kinda ruined his fishing day

 

[johnr]

Important things belong in a case, your brain has a skull, your money has a wallet, and your trolling motor has a ram mount to hold the shit together.
try slapping your nuts on the counter over and over, let me know if that is better than putting them in a thong, or something like that.

My head is a 7 & 5/8's, it takes a pretty big cowboy hat to fit around that.

 

[guywhofishes]

a guy can always slide that depth adjustment collar down the shaft against the gear box to lock it - but I find that a PAIN

 

[Fuzz-E-Grub]

This question has come up before, about whether or not they are even a good idea.

I am FIRMLY in the camp of they are not needed, and indeed are even bad for the motor if you don't have a reasonable expectation that it bounces enough for the motor head to whack your gunnel. Think of it this way, are you more comfortable driving down a bumpy section line in an old GM 3/4 ton with your head held firmly down on the dash, or do you get less of a headache if your head is held up in the air by that flexible thing we call a neck?

I understand the thinking in this example but I look at it this way. You driving the same pickup and not wearing a seatbelt and then have a wreck. is your head better off if you have a seatbelt on or have it off and you head abruptly meets the dash.

I use a ram ram mount for my trolling motor. Numerous problems with motors prior to using one and no problems since.
For what it's worth.