DIY - Kayak Trolling Motor Raise System | Avoid Weeds with a Trolling Motor

Subscriber requested I assist them with showing how I avoid weeds with my trolling motor mounted on a kayak. This is a simple and cost effective solution. I hope this video helps out the subscriber and maybe one or two more people. If you have a better way of doing this please share to help out the community. Enjoy.
Tools Needed:
Drill
1/4 in. metal drill bit
1/8 in. drill bit
Phillips head screwdriver
10mm wrench
Parts Needed:
Yakattack Stealth Pulley ($19.99): www.amazon.com...
Cam (Spring) Cleat ($12.50): www.amazon.com...
1/4 in. Drill Bit ($6.77: www.homedepot....
1/4 in. Nylon Rope ($10.89): www.amazon.com...
1/4 Spring Carabiner ($1.99): www.homedepot....
All nuts, bolts, and screws used came with the cam (spring) cleat and YakAttack Pulleys.

[@Benihana716]

I just ordered the Newport trolling motor for kayaks. And as I was thinking about how I could solve this problem, I did a search on here, thinking, "Surely, SOMEbody has to have figured this out already..." And here you are! THANK you, sir!!! You are a gentleman, and a scholar!

[@keithlohbc]

Just dropping a note telling you that I followed your video and did this mod. Thanks for doing this, it was easy to do. I also shaved the screw for the stealth pulley so I could still tilt it if I wanted.

[@Daddywarbucks556]

THANKS man! Ive been trying to figure this out for a week

[@allyoukneadisloaf8302]

Man-crafting as its finest! A few steps up from man-scrapping 😉

[@HorribleAnglers]

LOL, you always have the greatest comments.

[@snowyzombie5691]

"GET OVER HERE" Very cool of you to answer questions! And very innovative!

[@HorribleAnglers]

Oh snaps, you visited my channel. Hopefully this isn’t the first video of mine you watched. I was just trying to help someone out.

[@snowyzombie5691]

@@HorribleAnglers It *was* the first, but still not the last. ;)

[@ChasingTheApex]

Super innovative solution, love that you answer the viewers. I wish I was so mechanically inclined. I'm surprised 550 cord didn't do it,

[@HorribleAnglers]

Thanks brother. Hopefully it helps someone at least.

[@Aprime86]

Thanks for this comment and the mention of 550 not making the cut. Upgraded to the 1/4 inch nylon in the desc. Got a trip coming up and one of my biggest gripes has been the water level this time of year. Gotta be able to react quickly and raise the motor lol.

[@tompeterson8780]

The NuCanoe #7165 motor retract kit has all the components in one kit for $40. So much easier and no guess work. Works perfect every time.

[@jefferybarron929]

You can also install that 2nd pully on the port side of the transom, run another cord down to that carabiner attached to the motor. Run that rope the exact same route and tie it in a v in front of the motor. That will form an even pulling yoke. Tie a carabiner to that V and connect to your pull rope. No motor twist.

[@stevequate1797]

Great idea my friend They also make flush mounted nuts instead of having a nut sticking out in case space is a issue very simple to install them

[@HorribleAnglers]

That is a great option. I’ll see if I can find some flush mount bolts. It would come in handy when placing/pulling the kayak out of the water.

[@anitatha1340]

*I bought this model for my 14 ft Jon boat. **enjoyable.fishing** recommend love it!!! It pushes my boat with ease ( 2 men 220 each). I would highly recommend this to anyone.*

[@HorribleAnglers]

Thanks for the comment and the recommendation.

[@sykostudios7423]

About to give this a shot bro. This seems like exactly what I’m trying to do. I’m putting it on a pirogue and need to put it on the opposite end to maintain weight distribution. Thanks man.

[@HorribleAnglers]

Any time boss. I hope it works out for you.

[@murchlk]

Great idea! You could’ve just used carriage bolts and they would likely clear for it to raise all the way up. I’m gonna try this out!

[@alexmccowen4413]

Thank you i just put a motor on my kayak and i had a verry hard time because i couldnt lift or lower the motor

[@ChasingTheApex]

Dude this an excellent video, you should cover more about your innovative garage engineering that is 'Do it yourself '

[@HorribleAnglers]

We’ll see. DIY projects usually have a cost to them. LOL.

[@joshandhuntersadventures5046]

Looks like a good idea to me thanks for sharing

[@HorribleAnglers]

Thanks bud. It is a simple solution, but it works.

[@cr8244]

Absolutely Brilliant! Thank you for the helpful video!

[@f.acatfish9077]

Great demonstration and great video 👍

[@HorribleAnglers]

Thank you. I normally don’t do videos like this. I was just trying to help another person out who is putting a trolling motor on his kayak. I really appreciate the view and the comment.

[@ConnectedFishing]

Very informative Apex sent me here love your channel

[@HorribleAnglers]

Thanks brother.

[@perlago21]

This Is Genius SIR YOU SHOULD GET A NOBEL PRIZE, wow i have a trolling motor in an inflatable pontoon this is what i need for mine THANKS FOR SHARING!!

[@HorribleAnglers]

Hahahah, no Nobel prize. I’m sure there are better ways to do it, but this is one way.

[@JUNationFishing]

Great tip! 👍🙏🎣⚒

[@HorribleAnglers]

Thanks JUN.

[@MVPTimothyMichaels]

What happens to your steering? Assuming you have cables or do you steer with some other method?

[@mikestinyshedofdreams]

That's a great idea, I'm about to convert an old 14 foot fibreglass double kayak to be motorised and pilot from the forward seat, I've got a 68lb motor....

[@HorribleAnglers]

Awesome. Let me know how that 68lb thrust motor works out. I’ve been thinking about upgrading.

[@mikestinyshedofdreams]

@@HorribleAnglers will do, I will make a video in time, I removed the fender strip and split the upper and lower parts of the boat today, also removed the top from the motor shaft, the point of no return

[@HorribleAnglers]

@@mikestinyshedofdreams That’s awesome. Can’t wait to see the video.

[@LunkerHunter]

When you pull the motor up I notice the cord for steering gets taught. When the motor is down it tightens up. How does this affect steering when tue motor is down? I just did something similar to my kayak, but I set the steering cord tight. Then when I lifted the motor the tight steering rope prevents the motor from sliding up. I’m wondering how you manage this. Thanks!

[@user-ik3po9qm1v]

Thanks for the video - this is a great option. Does this lift system introduce a lot of slack or tension in your steering cables?

[@HorribleAnglers]

No, it does not affect the steering at all. The release is stationary on the transom mount.

[@bobbywaltersinsurance9081]

Do you have the steering ropes attached to your foot braces? If so I have watched some other videos and they say when you attach the steering cables to the foot braces and try to raise the trolling motor that it puts so much tension on the steering ropes that you cannot raise the motor. Can. you please clarify how you have the steering cables rigged and if they are attached to the foot braces how. you overcome being able to raise the motor.?

[@valenor916]

Just picked up my Minn Kota today! I’ll have your methods in mind for my build. I really appreciate all the useful info. Tight lines sir

[@HorribleAnglers]

Good luck bud. Honestly it will be a game changer and will take a bit to get used to.

[@Skap91]

@@HorribleAnglers what do you do with the rope when in water and dont need the motor up ?

[@yukonchiu5096]

Simple and effective

[@HorribleAnglers]

Thank you. It works great. I have had no problems with it.

[@willbill2209]

hey great video! Question I have is the bracket that you loosen to allow the motor shaft to go up and down, wouldn't loosing that cause the shaft to rotate right and left as well? What did you do to prevent that? I ask this because I'll use my rudder to steer the direction but I wonder how to fix the rotation right and left when loosing that little clamp

[@HorribleAnglers]

I keep the bracket loose. I need the shaft to be free so I can control the motor with my feet. I made a T-Bracket out of PVC pipe that is attached to the shaft. I ran cables to my kayak’s foot pegs. I slide my feet forwards and backwards to steer. I hope this answered your question.

[@willbill2209]

​@@HorribleAnglers So mine is definitely moving sideways so badly it won't steer itself straight back even after trying to counter steer it with the rudder. Any ideas that can fix the issues?

[@HorribleAnglers]

@@willbill2209 Not sure. Do you have a Social Media account that I can contact you on? This way you can send me a picture or video of your problem. Also what trolling motor do you have? The bracket keep somewhat loose is on the shaft that rotates the motor so it can steer. I don’t have a rudder and missed in your initial question.

[@Aksmaniyak]

This might solve your issues. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWm4XqCMhZecmrc

[@Skap91]

so 1/4 inch nylon rope is sufficinet correct ?

[@ryancollett4896]

Super helpful man! Did you trim the motor shaft any?

[@HorribleAnglers]

Thanks for the comment and the feedback. I left the shaft alone. There is a clamp in the shaft that slows you to adjust the depth of the trolling motor. I just set it to it, so the motor itself sits in about 12 inches below the water.

[@ryancollett4896]

@@HorribleAnglers that makes sense. I appreciate the reply back. Wanting to add a trolling motor setup like that for my Bonafide but not sure how I want to do everything

[@timadams3975]

Why not the 550 cord? I would assume it would be harder to grip ,but is most likely stronger.

[@HorribleAnglers]

The 550 cord was not thick enough for the clamp. The 550 cord would have been plenty strong, it just would have not worked as intended. I appreciate the feedback.

[@darkopsll1595]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

[@georgehart9640]

Years ago i had done the same and ended up re doing the Transit mount motor would not go all the way up with out making contact So ended up moving mount back about 2" also in doing that not as much water would splash back in reverse and now motor comes all the way out of water

[@HorribleAnglers]

That’s smart. I might do the same thing if I don’t end up getting a new kayak. Thanks for the information on this.

[@angelamc3532]

But really won't have time to try and pull n lock things in place when in a pinch

[@crazyobservations3080]

Its called a cam cleat.