DIY Kayak Trolling Motor No Drilling Steering Control Arm

This is a DIY trolling motor steering control arm using 3/8 inch diameter threaded eye bolts (2) and 3/4 inch diameter split ring hangers (2). You can add a nut to lock the threaded section of the eye bolt against ring hanger if needed. The threaded sections of the eye bolts can be covered using polymer and/or metal tubing for a cleaner look.
Note: Not all trolling motor shafts are the same diameter so get measurements before buying the split ring hangers.

[@andyjame1853]

*Great little trolling motor **enjoyable.fishing** recommend had it hooked up to my 15 foot old town canoe and it pushed it pretty good with me and my son (220 pounds each).*

[@kevinjohnson7851]

After a DIY steering bracket idea I found on KZbin failed (because of my own ignorance) I came across this. I had already wired up and sealed everything and really didn’t want to redo it all just to get a prefab fancy bracket to slide over the shaft. This is the perfect, simple, (and cheap - in a good way) solution for me and what I should have done from the beginning anyway. Just wanted to say your videos are great and very detailed for the less then handy folks out there. Lol. Thanks again!

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Kevin, I appreciate that.

[@ChefRov]

Was laying in bed couching all night w/ covid thinking how I could come come up w DIY steering mount for my kayak and thought about how we used to use rope and shaft for the steering wheel of a go cart. This is kinda like that idea... creative juices flowing!! Thanks!!

[@Aksmaniyak]

You are welcome, get better.

[@cle5823]

You should put nuts on to the eyebolts first so you can tighten them up against the hanger. This will eliminate all of the wiggle in the eyebolts and keep them clocked correctly without gouging them into the motor shaft.

[@Aksmaniyak]

Hi, I stated that in the written narrative.

[@SandDuneProperties]

Just started my trolling-motor-to-kayak winter project and I'm trying to keep all of the PARTS prices down (more as a challenge to me as I did purchase a NEW Minn Kota). This sems like the low cost solution that "should" work just fine! Thanks.

[@Aksmaniyak]

Glad to help!

[@PlayingWithFireOutdoors]

that is a nice clean answer to the "how do I do it" ..... couple small things if you grind a point on your eye bolts, doesnt have to be sharp it can help grab the shaft of the motor so it cant spin. it will also help your turn radius if you bend the shaft of the bolts back away from the stern to help increase control.

[@Aksmaniyak]

Hi. Thanks for the input. The clamps have held tight with no spin problems. There shouldn't be a lot of force needed to turn the shaft that would make the clamp spin but a point on it would add to the grip strength. You could bend the bolts back behind the shaft at an angle to increase the turn radius but I use a different method that gives the TM almost a 90 degree turn radius in each direction.

[@The_Heartless_Empath]

I'm planning a small boat build and you are giving me some great ideas. Just watched the vid on making the remote speed control too. Manipulating your ideas I can make a mini helm that won't take up much valuable space in a small boat. Great stuff, thanks!

[@Aksmaniyak]

You are welcome. I would really like to see your project when finished.

[@The_Heartless_Empath]

Aksman I'll be in touch as soon as I have something to share.

[@49richard]

I was just about to drill hole in my shaft wjen I ran into your video! What a cliver idea!! Thanks so much.

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Richard. Glad to help. Check out my other videos they might help you too.

[@49richard]

Sure will! Have a good summer kayaking!

[@fishingwithhavoc6064]

This is exactly what I was looking for to do on my kayak trolling motor setup. Thanks!

[@Aksmaniyak]

You are welcome.

[@PainterD54]

If you route your cable right, you only need one clamp to use one steering arm on the motor shaft. The cables just need to pull right and left then.

[@Aksmaniyak]

Do you have any photos or videos?

[@zachwilson9824]

I just bought the v-force steering bracket, which is way too expensive if ya ask me, and I wanted to do this first so I feel like itd be a good idea to compare the two concepts

[@Aksmaniyak]

That is what is great about DIY...you save a lot of money on something that will work just as good.

[@CarsonHornbuckle-mt3nz]

Looking to do this with a minn kota endura

[@BlackWarriorLures]

Thx, good video. I've been looking for something like this.

[@Aksmaniyak]

Glad to share the information.

[@BlueOriginAire]

Awesone option. Appreciate it.

[@Aksmaniyak]

You are welcome!

[@mda_fishing]

Great ideal, i will use the setup!!! Thanks

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks Michael.

[@helicopterjohns]

Hi Nice Solution! Thanks for sharing. John

[@Aksmaniyak]

+helicopterjohns Thanks John. I try to make modifications using off the shelf parts whenever possible.

[@elboregojhb]

intresting

[@RoastedBattleSquirrL]

This will only get you a turn radius like an aircraft carrier. Once the motor is pointed too far left or right, there is no way of pulling any wire anymore (not enough leverage). Still trying to come up with an alternative, using this general approach of fixing the steering to the shaft...

[@Aksmaniyak]

This is a simple inexpensive steering option. The other steering set up I came up with allows for almost 90 degrees of turning angle with the TM which allows for an approximate 360 degree spinning of the kayak.

[@RoastedBattleSquirrL]

Sounds promising! You have a link to show? I've done mine right now so that the cable is very close to the shaft and kinda rolls around it once i approach 90 degrees. Needs more force on the pedal (and has much less pedal travel distance of course), but covers a wider range that way. How did you do it?

[@Aksmaniyak]

This video I made shows the basic design. The key is using the eye bolt centered between the control arm. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqCYoYmen55khdU

[@RoastedBattleSquirrL]

Yes, that's a better idea indeed. Looking quite nice now.

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks.

[@anothersomebody8195]

Yes! This is awesome!!!! Do you have it routed through pulleys and hooked up to foot pedals? I might be doing this real soon given the lack of permanent alteration.

[@chrischase6731]

I bought two of the hangers and used the other half so I didn't any nuts.

[@Aksmaniyak]

Yes you could do that but I wanted the bolts to make sure it didn't spin or come apart on the water.

[@T.C_Apps]

How could you modify this to increase your steering radius?

[@Aksmaniyak]

Check out my Trolling Motor Steering bar playlist and you will find one with about 90 degree turn radius.

[@Bigjuergo]

what steering wheel or pedals did you use?

[@Aksmaniyak]

I have many other videos that have pedal steering that may help you.

[@coolkayak5255]

Hey I'm adding a trolling motor to the Stern of my kayak. Can you give me some idea on how to mount it? I can't reach and I don't want to add a long pole. So can you please help me.

[@Aksmaniyak]

+cool kayak What type of kayak do you have?

[@coolkayak5255]

+Aksman Malibu kayak x factor latest style.

[@Aksmaniyak]

+cool kayak Here is the video of my mounted trolling motor. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqCYoYmen55khdU

[@Aksmaniyak]

+cool kayak If you have questions after viewing the video let me know.

[@FishingwithJhoe]

This is great!

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks!

[@FishingwithJhoe]

@@Aksmaniyak I wanna see how you connect it to the foot steering. Do you have a video on that?

[@Aksmaniyak]

I have several videos of foot pedal steering. The set up depends on the kayak.

[@FishingwithJhoe]

Nice! I'll just have a look on your vids. Thank you, again

[@Aksmaniyak]

I just started a FB page that would make it easier to share information. Here is the link if you are interested. Invite friends if you like it. Thanks. facebook.com/groups/3521517597860461/

[@lizardkhing]

me too thanks!

[@Aksmaniyak]

You're welcome.

[@taantle]

Do you sell these? Or would you consider it?

[@Aksmaniyak]

I don't sell anything. I just try to help people build their own projects.

[@fishingmojados1121]

Nice

[@Aksmaniyak]

Thanks.

[@GrowHopeGardens]

this healped me too

[@Aksmaniyak]

I'm glad it helped you.

[@aldojr5552]

Curious what did you use for handles

[@Aksmaniyak]

Which handles are you referring to?

[@aldojr5552]

Coming from the rope inside the kayak. Like what kind of handles do you have attached to the rope

[@Aksmaniyak]

The set up in the video was to show the control arms. I was only using paracord as a demonstration. In my kayaks, I use 2mm tent line connected to the modified foot pedals to steer the kayak. I have other videos that show the foot pedal steering I use.

[@jerrykrobby]

There's not enough threads from the eye bolt in the pipe clamp for me.

[@Aksmaniyak]

There should be...why not?

[@jerrykrobby]

Aksman 3/4" pipe clamps will only provide about 1)4" if threads. With the amount of perpendicular pull on the eye bolts that's not strong enough FOR ME. If it's fine for you the great.

[@Aksmaniyak]

You must be putting a lot of force on the bolts. What set up are you using?

[@jerrykrobby]

Aksman I use the threaded hole where the nut was to adjust the depth of the trolling motor. I ran a threaded rod through that hole and adapted eye bolts to each end of the threaded rod.

[@Aksmaniyak]

That's an option too.

[@jfalbo]

Hi Item numbers from Home Depot? Lowe's? Thanks

[@Aksmaniyak]

Hi, I don't have the item numbers but the eyebolts are 3/8 inch thread and the split ring packaging is shown in a close up in the video. The eyebolts can be found in the fastener section and the split hanger in the plumbing section. I hope that helps.

[@HooliganBaits209]

how long are the eye bolts

[@Aksmaniyak]

The 3/8 inch eye bolts are approximately 6 inches long if I remember correctly.