Commander 120 Trolling Motor doesn't fit

[Paul MacArthur]

Hello All. I am new to the site, and I have a problem with my Commander 120 Angler.

 

The problem is that I have purchased 3 different trolling motors for the Commander 120 Angler, and none of the clamps fit. The clamps do not drop down far enough over the rear lip of the boat so that the motor clamp screws fit into the Commander 120 Angler motor mount.

 

Because this has happened now on three motors, I am starting to think that this is a flaw in the boat. The last motor that I purchased was the Minn Kota Endura C2 30/30.

 

So in light of this problem, are there any trolling motors out there that do fit the Commander 120 Angler, and, if not,  can I drill through the rear lip of the boat so as to make possible clamping trolling motor clamp screws into the Commander 120 motor mount.

 

Paul MacArthur

Wilderness Suystem Commander 120 Angler owner

[Jeff Asher]

Do you have the motor mount kit it is the block on the Commander it is not stardard on most models?

 Or you could rig something like this http://www.bassyaks.com/about19.html

[Paul MacArthur]

Jeff,

Thanks for the reply. Yes I do have the motor mount kit as it came standard with the 120 Angler model. I have 3 problems however:

1. The motor clamp screw washers on the trolling motors that I buy are too big to fit over the rear lip of the boat. As a result, I cannot even attach the clamp screw washers to the motor mount.
2. The clamps do not drop down far enough to clear the rear lip of the boat. As a result, the clamp screw washers cannot reach the motor mount even if they were smaller.
3. This has happened with three different average 100-200 dollar trolling motors. The most recent has been the Minn Kota Endura C2 30/30.

Is there a trolling motor in the 100-200 dollar range that does fit the 120 Angler? 

Is it advisable to drill out some of the rear lip of the 120 so as to get the clamp screws to fit?

 

PM

 

[Jeff Asher]

I don't know of a motor in that price range off hand.  I would consider modifing the motor clamp before cutting the yak.  Unless you are just talking about drill 2 holes in the back lip then I would see no problem.  I added 2 holes in the top on the back lip for drainage after I clean it to get the sand and mud out. Good luck with your project.

[Keith Corodimas]

PM,

 

What did you end up doing?  I just a 120 a few weeks ago, and I  am considering a trolling motor, but I do not want anything "permanent."

 

KC

[Keith Corodimas]

(bought a Commander 120)

[Steve Komarinetz]

Consider a Belly Bar , for  more photo email me [e-mail]

[keith fortier]

Paul I have the endura 30 and had the the same problem. I cut a block of wood to extend the mount forward it works great. you can see the block in the pic. No screws just held in place by the motor clamp. Email me for more pic's if you want [e-mail]

Also I rigged the steering to the foot rest's see pic's

[Paul MacArthur]

Hi Keith. Sorry about the delay getting back to you. Your method is ingenious and simple. This what I did:

I hack-sawed the existing "too large" clamps off of the Minn Kota, went to Home Depot and bought smaller clamps that fit the screws on the Minn Kota. I attached the smaller clamps and they fit under the lip fine for me now. 

I may try your wood block idea in addition. Now I have to solve the steering problem

[Steve Komarinetz]

Bassyaks .comhas a Trolling motor system which bolts on to the Commanders, No holes have to be drill and the motor

can be removed in 10 seconds, The motor is fully adjustable and can be raise and lowered from the seat. Shallows no problem , your keel will hit before the motor. Speeds of 5mph and 8 hour run times, They also will NOT void your factory warranty. The mount bolts inplace of the rear carry handle.

Tight lines

Steve

[Aaron Groom]

Not sure if you've came up with something for this yet, but I've had similar issues when first trying to mount my Minn Kota 30 Endura. At first attempt I thought the same thing, but you can "finesse" it on. Since the lip comes down, but is open behind it, the trick is to get the plates on the clamps down and around the lip. To do this, I opened the clamps all the way, then had to tilt the motor in odd directions, first working one clamp under, then the next. I don't think there was any one method I used each time, but you can do it. Even after doing it several times, I still struggle.

[Paul MacArthur]

Aaron. Thank you so much for replying, and I am so sorry that I have taken so long to get back to you. I tried "the finesse" technique as well and it didn't work so well for me. So here is what I did. 

I hack-sawed the existing "too large" clamps off of the Minn Kota, went to Home Depot and bought smaller clamps that fit the screws on the Minn Kota. I attached the smaller clamps and they fit under the lip fine for me now. 

How are you doing with it? Thanks so much for getting back to me.

[keith fortier]