How-To

Keeping your bass boat alive, part 3

The steps to wire a bass boat for and install a new 36-volt trolling motor.

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<em>All photos and captions by Mark Hicks</em> <br>I decided to convert my 24-year-old bass boat to a Minn Kota 36-volt Fortrex, which boasts 112 pounds of thrust. Besides brute power, I'm big on the trolling motor's lift-assist feature that eases the chore of lifting the motor umpteen times a day. I had to rewire my boat for 36 volts and make room for three deep-cycle batteries. <p>I jockeyed the Fortrex around until I found the best position for it. Using a permanent marker, I marked the deck through the holes in the motor's mount for the bolts.
All photos and captions by Mark Hicks
I decided to convert my 24-year-old bass boat to a Minn Kota 36-volt Fortrex, which boasts 112 pounds of thrust. Besides brute power, I’m big on the trolling motor’s lift-assist feature that eases the chore of lifting the motor umpteen times a day. I had to rewire my boat for 36 volts and make room for three deep-cycle batteries.
I jockeyed the Fortrex around until I found the best position for it. Using a permanent marker, I marked the deck through the holes in the motor’s mount for the bolts.
Holes must be punched or drilled through the hold-down strap that comes with the motor so two of the mounting bolts can pass through them.
Holes must be punched or drilled through the hold-down strap that comes with the motor so two of the mounting bolts can pass through them.
The best place for the hold-down strap is just above the motor's head.
The best place for the hold-down strap is just above the motor’s head.
The final phase of securing the motor is to install the support post.
The final phase of securing the motor is to install the support post.
To accomodate 12- and 24-volt motors, the boat had two sets of 6-gauge wires attached to the outlet.
To accomodate 12- and 24-volt motors, the boat had two sets of 6-gauge wires attached to the outlet.
The 6-gauge wires are sufficient for 36 volts.
The 6-gauge wires are sufficient for 36 volts.
One set of 6-gauge wires was used to carry 36 volts to the Minn Kota Fortrex. I connected the wires to the motor and bypassed the outlet, which was not rated for 36 volts.
One set of 6-gauge wires was used to carry 36 volts to the Minn Kota Fortrex. I connected the wires to the motor and bypassed the outlet, which was not rated for 36 volts.
After removing the other set of 6-gauge wires, I cut pieces from one of them to make the links that would connect three batteries in a series to achieve 36 volts.
After removing the other set of 6-gauge wires, I cut pieces from one of them to make the links that would connect three batteries in a series to achieve 36 volts.
The three batteries I installed are brutes. They have 225 hours of reserve capacity.
The three batteries I installed are brutes. They have 225 hours of reserve capacity.
This diagram illustrates how to link three 12-volt batteries in a series to get 36 volts of power.
This diagram illustrates how to link three 12-volt batteries in a series to get 36 volts of power.
The dual 40-amp breaker that came with my old boat was not up to snuff for 36 volts.
The dual 40-amp breaker that came with my old boat was not up to snuff for 36 volts.
I replaced it with a 60-amp breaker, which is recommended by Minn Kota.
I replaced it with a 60-amp breaker, which is recommended by Minn Kota.
I ran all the wires and cables for the electric motor under the front deck. They connect to the foot pedal through a hole I made in the inset I installed in the front deck.
I ran all the wires and cables for the electric motor under the front deck. They connect to the foot pedal through a hole I made in the inset I installed in the front deck.
Two of the wires that run through the hole connect to the batteries. The other two cables connect the Minn Kota's built-in transducer to the Humminbird 998 on my bow.
Two of the wires that run through the hole connect to the batteries. The other two cables connect the Minn Kota’s built-in transducer to the Humminbird 998 on my bow.
With the foot pedal inset installed, all wires and cables for the electric motor are out of sight for an uncluttered deck.
With the foot pedal inset installed, all wires and cables for the electric motor are out of sight for an uncluttered deck.

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