Newport Vessels trolling motor tilt lock

I came up with a simple way to allow your kayak mounted trolling motor to tilt freely when driving, but lock when in reverse. Adding a simple plastic piece, a loop of shock cord, and a line to your seat, lets you lock the motor tilt on demand.
Design features:
- Motor is free to tilt when it hits an underwater obstruction.
- Tilts completely out of the water whenever I want, so I can paddle without my motor dragging in the water, without moving my footpegs out of position.
- Locks in place whenever I want, so I can go in reverse, or even just drive around with my motor locked down or at any tilt trim angle I desire.
- No need to drill holes in either the motor mount bracket or in the motor itself.
- Allows for attachment of a rudder to the trolling motor shaft so I can steer when the motor is turned off.
Here's a link to where you can download a pdf dimensioned drawing of the latch plate. Also can download a dxf or even a 3D STEP file if you want to 3D print one.
grabcad.com/library/newport-v...
Improved version up on Thingiverse: www.thingiverse.com/thing:479...

[@cutley2b]

Finally! Someone who mentions that compressing the motor lever will cause a bit of a problem when going in reverse. So many videos show you how to compress that lever for being able to pull up the motor in a horizontal position (and forward motion will be okay for this) but NEVER mention problems going in reverse. Thank you! Also, wish you sold that lever key…I’d buy that.

[@brianreigle7905]

I know this is old video but just got my NV trolling motor setup and stumbled onto your setup. Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for making the video and the setup needed to 3d print it. I already have a friend making me two of these setups. One to use and one for a spare. Can't wait til later this week to get it setup on my motor and take my kayak and try it.

[@wayneblanchard4347]

Very impressed. The trolling motor folks need to address this significant need.

[@KayakCrave]

Brilliant design! I wish we had a good way to make this happen without being a super DIYer like yourself.

[@Jaamal1991]

*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.*

[@basskickingadventures]

youre alot smarter than I am Todd! Great idea, you should be working for one of these trolling motor companies to help them make what their customers really need

[@johnpruitt1583]

Nice video, I was concerned about not being able to tilt the motor if I needed to, this helped me a bunch. Thank you

[@Vojec9]

Genius solution. Thank's for sharing...

[@frankmunoz359]

Thanks for tip for tilt , it works awesome

[@Bamaoutdoors]

Excellent work sir.

[@tomweber8729]

Thank you for sharing this I will use this on my Newport motor

[@jordan123089]

That's is a really great idea. 👍

[@rod.jordan]

Great Job! Thank You!

[@jimwoodmansee]

that is brilliant! Nice job. I wish I could think up something similar for my Watersnake T24.

[@guntastic264]

This is awesome, i just finished my Mounting bracket and waiting on my Newport Vessel motor to get here next week. Not sure if i know anyone with a 3d printer but if not i would like to get one of those off you. Keep up the good work!

[@guntastic264]

Im also curious on how you did your Wire harness

[@dylanashley5361]

I have a 3D printer if you create a file

[@billgibson--tacticalyakn--outd]

outstanding !

[@michaell1665]

Excellent engineering! Hoping to get the NK300 soon - I think the reverse lock cord is already in the unit!

[@xJgrayx]

Thank you so much for the files. I printed 2 hopefully this weekend i'll test it out on the water

[@kyakfsh]

John, if you're going out, could you also print a copy of the V2 and try it out? It is wider across the place where the 3D printed version of the first design failed. I'd recommend bumping up the number of perimeter shells to get strength in that area. I'm currently printing a test part with 5 perimeters out of PETG. Here's the file: www.thingiverse.com/thing:4796111

[@xJgrayx]

Thanks again Todd. I will have to print that version. Weekend weather looks like rain so following weekend I will shoot a video in action. I will credit you in the description.

[@xJgrayx]

@@kyakfsh the V2 STL file.. how to I enlarge it? when i open it up its really small. I had no issue with the V1 .dxf file

[@kyakfsh]

@@xJgrayx It may be importing in mm units. Scale up by 2540.

[@xJgrayx]

@@kyakfsh Ok I scaled it up. Thanks it worked. Starting to print

[@joserP2009]

brilliant

[@Fire2126]

In leiu of using the Bungie around the trolling motor can't you rig a spring mechanism from under it pushing it up. It looks like it could be placed on the mount underneath that doesn't turn and the lever unlock mechanism doesn't turn. With a spring in place your lock line will work the same and if the spring mechanism is stainless and mounted well you would have to worry about wearing it out.

[@user-gi7bg5kw9o]

Hello Todd, Great video do you have a actual pattern that i could trace onto a delrin block and cut out from that? I dont have access to a 3d printer. Also would you be willing to sell a couple? it would certainly cut down on my rigging it onto my Hobie. I have a Newport vessel 55lb Kayak 24" motor if that makes a difference. Thx for your time and efforts in making this video.

[@tracybudzielek5608]

Hey by chance do you have the plans on the little key, I’m assuming you 3d printed it.

[@stevebrindle9742]

Hi Todd, I purchased a teton pro 11'6" kayak and newport 36 lb thrust trolling motor. I want to be able to setup foot steering. Do you have a video or know where i can purchase the steering bracket to add on the trolling motor?

[@kyakfsh]

I do not, but you may find some help on the "Motorized kayak fishing" FB group.

[@zachwilson9824]

1. Is your "key" slanted or angled? Or is it just flat? Superb idea, no lie. 2. Can you further explain the benefit of the carabiner/cord that is attached to the the lever, the one that changes the angle of the shaft, and how it allows you to reverse better? My brain keeps saying that when you reverse the force of the water will do this on its own

[@kyakfsh]

1) The key is made from a flat piece of delrin. No taper. 2) With the lever in place, and the shock cord wrapped around, the motor is free to tilt. When you go forward, the motor pushes into the full down position. If you reverse, the reverse thrust of the motor will tend to want to kick the motor up out of the water. Pulling the cord locks the motor in place temporarily, so you can drive backwards without the motor kicking up. Then when you let go of the cord, the motor is free to tilt if it were to run into a submerged object.

[@chingwow2671]

Hello Todd any chance I could buy one of these from you?

[@destineeone]

Hello, I am doing something very similar with a minn kota motor. I was wondering if you can let me know how you sized the bungee that is holding the locking lever in place?

[@kyakfsh]

I'm pretty sure I just used a diameter of shock cord I had laying around from other projects. The length of the cord was trial and error to tie it just tight enough to hold the lever against the stock spring, without being overly tight to hinder the steering.

[@cr8244]

Absolutely Brilliant! This has given me excellent ideas..Any chance you can create a second one of those custom clips and sell it?

[@kyakfsh]

I just 3D printed one from PLA+. I'll test it and see if it holds up.

[@cr8244]

@@kyakfsh GREAT! If it works, I'll gladly buy it from you ASAP.

[@kyakfsh]

@@cr8244 If you're in a super hurry, there is a link in the video description to where you can download a dimensioned drawing, or even the CAD file, and make your own.

[@cr8244]

@@kyakfsh thank you. I'm all thumbs with stuff like this, but I'll check it out. Thanks again!

[@agentzed01]

Hi Todd. Great video. I love the work you put into this item. I would like to purchase 4 of them from you if you are making them now? If so, what would the cost be?

[@kyakfsh]

The 3D printed prototype I made ended up breaking at a weak spot. The solid plastic one is still going strong, though. Let me do a little design tweak and get back to you. Making it stronger should be really easy. I was looking for a little project to work on this weekend...

[@theomcwhorter5937]

@@kyakfsh great work on this! How can a fellow get a couple of them from you if your willing?

[@landonashby2029]

My motorization plans aren't until fall. So I'd love to see how your prototype develops. Could be looking to give you an order around that time if thats where this takes you. Great Idea & implementation!

[@abuncharandomstuff]

@@kyakfsh This might be a longshot since this video is a little older, but I'd love to be able to get the plans or to buy one from you as well. I've been researching trolling motor setups for my Jackson Coosa HD for a very long time now and yours seems to be the best for DIY'ers out there.

[@user-mp5ph4jm8x]

hello i was woundering if you are sell the newport vessel trolling motor tilt lock. i dont know anyone with a 3d printer

[@williambillips6088]

Todd - I would love to order one from you. I don’t have a close local 3D print shop if you’re willing.

[@jimkeeling]

Why so hard to download your tilt tock plastic clip?

[@kyakfsh]

Not sure. For me it's three mouse clicks.

[@chrisvogel88]

Yooo!!! Lemme get dat key!

[@chrisvogel88]

Show us how you steer!

[@josecorrea4232]

Would you be willing to sell me a little key for under the clip?

[@river_sensei]

all those cord give me anxiety looll

[@mameroo2000]

Can you share the file on thingiverse.com ??? I tried to download the folder but won't allow me to create account and can't download without login

[@mameroo2000]

I guess the reason I couldn't create an account is because I'm in Canada, I used an USA address and I was able to download it. Thanks for the file 🙂 I'll 3d print it with ABS 100% infill

[@kyakfsh]

It's been up on Thingiverse for a while. Link added to the video description.

[@mameroo2000]

@@kyakfsh thanks 😊

[@samuelbrooks8199]

Is it possible for you to make one for me?

[@zachwilson9824]

I'm also looking to get/make one of these 1/4" thick delrin pieces, could you please give dimensions?

[@kyakfsh]

When the COVID situation is past, and I get access to my robotics team's laser cutter I can cut out a whole batch to sell people. Making them by hand would be a bit of a pain. I might try 3D printing a couple and seeing if they hold up.

[@kyakfsh]

@@zachwilson9824 There is a link in the description to a link with the 3D model and drawings so you can make your own, if you wish.

[@zachwilson9824]

@@kyakfsh grabCAD is really badass for my first time seeing it after having experience with autocad, datacad and revit

[@bradleyrussell1973]

A tm in reverse isn’t even effective until half throttle or so.