Recessing T-Motor Foot Pedal?

[StarBoard7]

Hey guys,

I have a 1996 Ranger 391V.
As of late my back has been killing me during and after a days fishing and I believe that recessing my MK Fortrex Trolling motor foot pedal might help the issue.

I have 2 questions.

1 is will recessing the tmotor foot pedal into the boat deck harm the stability or structure in any way?
I ask this because I actually wanted to do this years ago but somebody told me that older Rangers may have supports about were I need to make the cut?


2 is if i am able to recess with no harm to the boat which brand should I go with comfortroll or troll well?

Thanks for any info guys.

[fiker]

I don't own one, but I've done the research and talked to a few people who own them.  I'd get the Comfort Troll.  I like the stability and the baked on coating.

A little expensive but then again so's everything else on a boat.

[Genie]

I have the comfort troll ... got it for the same reasons.  It works!  For the hole in the deck and stability ... there will be a hole in the deck!  I have never had any problems with mine and was told not to put it in.

[dartag]

I have one in my 2002 ranger 185.  I love it and never had a problem. 

[BSB]

I went with a Troll-Eze in an older ProCraft this spring. No problems and love it.

[Genie]

Just make sure you get a metal one .. I saw at one point some plastic type ones - still very rigid but plastic.

Hardest part is looking at your boat after you cut the hole in the deck!  Measure multiple times and have someone check your measurements too!

[BSB]

Agree with getting a metal. You will take some pretty deep breaths when you start going after the front deck with a jig saw. I also got some epoxy and a foam brush to seal the edges of the exposed wood before setting the tray in.

[Mike S.]

I too have been thinking about doing this to my boat.

Genie, the decks on the Skeeters are aluminum, correct?  Or is it just the parts of the deck that have doors in them?

[Genie]

Mike S - mine was all fiberglass ... had the ribbed stuff underneath - like corrugated cardboard.  Never ran into any aluminum.