How to Install a Trolling Motor on a Pontoon Boat
The Pontoon Trolling Motor Mount From Toon Troll - Our Take
Trolling motors on pontoons is nothing new. However, as any pontoon owner can tell you, mounting a trolling motor on their boat can be quite a hassle and sometimes even a non-starter. Pontoons are one of the fastest growing segments for trolling motors; so this subject has come up more frequently.
Since the deck on the boat is as flat as a board and pontoon boats have a lot of space, one might think this is an easy process. However, there is one fundamental road-block on all pontoons; the bow railing and the gate to get on/off the boat.
Since a bow mounted trolling motor should be as close to the center line of the bow as possible, it makes sense to mount the motor directly in front of the gate. In fact, many pontoons have "half-gates" to accommodate trolling motors when deploying or stowing. Nevertheless, the gate is where passengers get on and off the boat and where the kids pass through to jump in for a swim. Having to mount a trolling motor in this area is extremely inconvenient as well as a potentially dangerous impediment.
The most common "solution" for pontoon owners is to use a quick release bracket to take the motor on and off when not in use or when people need to get through the gate. Removing and re-mounting is HUGE pain for the captain who already has enough to worry about. So what is the best way for pontoon owners to mount a trolling motor?
A little while back a customer told me to take a look at a company called Ride Restyle. Based in Sheboygan, Ride Restyle manufacturers and markets a proprietary trolling motor bracket designed specifically for pontoon boats called the Toon Troll©. I was really eager to find a solution for our customers with pontoons so the Toon Troll caught my attention.
The concept is brilliantly simple; instead of mounting the motor lengthwise on top of the deck, the mount extends from the bow and holds the motor in a horizontal position. Therefore, you can mount your trolling motor without taking up any deck space or blocking the gate.
When you want to use the motor, you simply deploy the motor, rotate the mounting bracket and you're ready to go....Ok, just look at the pictures!
The Toon Troll Bracket Mounted on the Bow
The Toon Troll Bracket Stowed
The Toon Troll Bracket Deployed
Tim, the owner of Rider Style LLC. and inventor of the Toon Troll bracket manages fabrication to exacting tolerances. The bracket is constructed from high-tensile strength 6061 aluminum using CNC machining and also includes stainless steel components. It's very sturdy and suffice to say, it's not going anywhere.
The bracket itself is easily installed using only a few carriage bolts and a small mounting support bolted to the underside of the deck. The bracket also has a quick release function allowing you to take your motor on and off quite easily. Since the mounting support does not extend beyond the deck, you can use your trailer without any interference.
Currently the Toon Troll bracket comes in 3 models; "Standard Model" for motors with up to 55lbs. of thrust ($350.00), the "HD Model" ($350.00) and the new SR model ($375.00) with an updated quick release function that is great for self deploying motors like the Ulterra. The HD and SR models can accommodate most 24v and 36v motors.
Take a Look at The Toon Troll Bracket In Action
To date Trollingmotors.net has sold several Toon Troll brackets to our pontoon customers and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Due to the innovative design, high quality fabrication and reasonable price point, we whole heartedly endorse the product for our customers with pontoons.
We currently sell Toon Troll brackets and I suspect, we'll sell a lot more before all is said and done.
Thanks for reading,
-George
How to Install a Trolling Motor on a Pontoon Boat
Source: https://www.trollingmotors.net/blogs/selection/the-pontoon-trolling-motor-mount-from-toon-troll-our-take