Ipilot Brace

[jpeff31787]

I'm trying to figure out something I can buy or make to support the head on my Ipilot while it isn't deployed. Has anyone made or bought anything to do this? I know it flexing a tad probably won't hurt anything, but I'd rather not have it happen just incase it eventually does.

[Crawl79]

Originally Posted by jpeff31787

I'm trying to figure out something I can buy or make to support the head on my Ipilot while it isn't deployed. Has anyone made or bought anything to do this? I know it flexing a tad probably won't hurt anything, but I'd rather not have it happen just incase it eventually does.

I don't have a pic in front of me but I installed a ram mount on mine to brace it while on the road and in rough seas.

http://www.rammount.com/part/RAM-108

[jpeff31787]

Originally Posted by Crawl79

I don't have a pic in front of me but I installed a ram mount on mine to brace it while on the road and in rough seas.

http://www.rammount.com/part/RAM-108

Awesome! Thanks for the reply, I never realized they made RAM mounts like this.

[Crawl79]

Originally Posted by jpeff31787

Awesome! Thanks for the reply, I never realized they made RAM mounts like this.

I went through same thing and was making something from PVC when I found this. Actually have them in stock at Superior TM in Laffy but I picked mine up online somewhere.

[jpeff31787]

Originally Posted by Crawl79

I went through same thing and was making something from PVC when I found this. Actually have them in stock at Superior TM in Laffy but I picked mine up online somewhere.

I was considering making something out of pvc as well, but this would definitely look better and probably work better. It's a shame MK doesn't already make something for this.

[Crawl79]

Originally Posted by jpeff31787

I was considering making something out of pvc as well, but this would definitely look better and probably work better. It's a shame MK doesn't already make something for this.

Agreed, they say it isn't needed but can'y tell me it's ok to have electronics bouncing around on 4 hour round trips every weekend...

The mount looks good and takes all of 20 minutes to install, installed mine 3 years ago.

[Gerald]

I had a lot problems with my trolling motor head due to vibration.

Here is my "fix". I also install a small bungee cord inside the head to hold the 5 speed switch in place so it would not become disconnected from the handle. The 1/4" bolt that held the "vibration bumper", broke off last trip so I need to get something a little bigger.
.

[Visco]

Believe it or not but not adding a support to the trolling motor actually reduces the impact to the ipilot head.

With the support attached, the head of the trolling motor has no give what so ever (shock absorber so to speak). Trailer suspensions are very rough riding... so you need as much absorption as you can get.

If you leave the support off, then the flex of the shaft acts as the shock absorber and will be help to prevent damage to the internals of the motor. This is why MK does not recommend this.

If you call MK and are able to get one of their tech's on the line they can explain this a lot better to you.

Sent from my KYOCERA-E6560 using Tapatalk

[Crawl79]

Originally Posted by Visco

Believe it or not but not adding a support to the trolling motor actually reduces the impact to the ipilot head.

With the support attached, the head of the trolling motor has no give what so ever (shock absorber so to speak). Trailer suspensions are very rough riding... so you need as much absorption as you can get.

If you leave the support off, then the flex of the shaft acts as the shock absorber and will be help to prevent damage to the internals of the motor. This is why MK does not recommend this.

If you call MK and are able to get one of their tech's on the line they can explain this a lot better to you.

Sent from my KYOCERA-E6560 using Tapatalk

I had heard the same thing and it makes sense. I just feel like it was bouncing way too much. Especially when I had a single axle trailer. With the ram mount it can still move and there is still absorption.

[Gerald]

Mine bounce so much, it was causing damage inside the head.

1) wire came unplugged.
2) metal connector on end of wire broke.
3) wire broke off where it connected to the metal connector. Problem was not corrosion.
4) 5 speed switch move and disconnected from handle.
5) bottom portion of the head cover cracked where it bolts to the shaft. Replace cover.

All these problems made for much aggravation while out on the water. Over a years time.... I only had one or 2 fishing trips..... without the TM breaking.

I cut off about 10" of the shaft and secured the head. I have not had any problem since. See pic in my last post.

[Gerald]

The whole south end of Big Lake was filled "Junk" after hurricane Rita. I could count 30+ things sitting in one spot. There was everything from big trees, boats to refrigerators scattered every 100 yards going out a 1/4 mile or more. No telling how much stuff was just under the surface of the water. Sure wish I had a camera with me back on that trip.

A year or so later, I was on a boat 2 miles from the south bank and we hit something solid while doing 30+ mph. Bent the prop a little, but the lower unit looked ok. We had no way to mark that location.

[Nitramiii]

I installed a Velcro/nylon strap that goes around the pole/shaft near the head and pulls the unit down. . Taking all the bounce out.

[neverenuf]

The mount would get in the way when I fish as sometimes the TM has to be in the lowest position due to wave action, it can catch the coiled power cable as well. I'd much rather ride on a motorcycle with suspension vs. a hardtail. Same concept with not having a brace...

[Goooh]

Originally Posted by jpeff31787

I'm trying to figure out something I can buy or make to support the head on my Ipilot while it isn't deployed. Has anyone made or bought anything to do this? I know it flexing a tad probably won't hurt anything, but I'd rather not have it happen just incase it eventually does.

With a lick like you described I'd bet your head would have snapped off if you had it on a ridged mount like the ram mount...

[givemeabreak]

Ram also makes an attachment called the Tough Claw that clamps the shaft of a trolling motor. I put one on my boat after having to cut a couple of inches off of the shaft because the road and rough sea travel caused the head to wobble and wear the shaft to an oval shape inside the head. The Claw grips tight while trailering or in rough seas. Wish they made it with a quick connect/disconnect cam lock.