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Big Foot Switch Removal
#12463036
10/12/17 03:43 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 754
5PounderOnAFrog
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 754 |
Recently purchased a boat that was set up with a hand control trolling motor with two big foot switches on the deck. I'm planning on removing them and have figured out the wiring to bypass the switches but now I am wondering what is the best way to fill the holes in the deck where the wires ran through. My first thought is to just buy some sort of plastic plug that I can screw in to the holes that will sit flush with the deck but I'd prefer to use something that is less noticeable. Anyone have any experience with this that could chime in with ideas?
Edit: Big Foot, not Hot Foot
Last edited by 5PounderOnAFrog; 10/12/17 03:54 PM.
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Re: Big Foot Switch Removal
[Re: 5PounderOnAFrog]
#12463049
10/12/17 03:51 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 754
5PounderOnAFrog
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 754 |
Brain fart. I meant Big Foot, not Hot Foot.
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Re: Big Foot Switch Removal
[Re: 5PounderOnAFrog]
#12463058
10/12/17 03:58 PM
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 6,028
SkeeterHawk
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 6,028 |
Cut out the carpet around the screw holes.
Put RTV silicon in the holes.
Put carpet on top of the cutout before the RTV silicon dries.
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Re: Big Foot Switch Removal
[Re: 5PounderOnAFrog]
#12463093
10/12/17 04:24 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,969
nitroslim
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,969 |
if the hole is small, and you can get to the underside of the deck, a small amount of fiberglass resin will fill the hole, stop any water rot and last longer than silicone, ( you can put some tape on the underside until the gel coat sets up, then cover it with new carpet or whatever.
If the hole is larger, think about the same process, but use a wooden dowel, just big enough to fit, and dip it in the resin, and knock into the hole. you can push it down flush or a little past, and put a small circle of carpet or colored felt, or rubber pad to level with the carpet.
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Re: Big Foot Switch Removal
[Re: 5PounderOnAFrog]
#12463117
10/12/17 04:39 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 754
5PounderOnAFrog
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 754 |
Thank you both. I will give this a try instead of my original plan.
On a side note, the trolling motor I'm removing is a Minn Kota Maxxum and I am replacing it with my old Motorguide. The Maxxum set up high enough to where the prop would clear the boat if you accidentally hit the switch while it was stowed but the Motorguide does not. I've looked to see if there is any type of riser to add to the mount but have had no luck. Anyone know of any way to raise the trolling motor a bit to keep the prop clear of the boat? I had an incident with my old boat where the switch got turned on while driving down the road and by the time I noticed it beat the [censored] out of my boat and the prop. Trying to keep this boat in better condition than the old one, so I'd like to reduce the risk of damage as much as I can.
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Re: Big Foot Switch Removal
[Re: 5PounderOnAFrog]
#12463380
10/12/17 08:21 PM
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,973
Txduckhunter
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,973 |
Thank you both. I will give this a try instead of my original plan.
On a side note, the trolling motor I'm removing is a Minn Kota Maxxum and I am replacing it with my old Motorguide. The Maxxum set up high enough to where the prop would clear the boat if you accidentally hit the switch while it was stowed but the Motorguide does not. I've looked to see if there is any type of riser to add to the mount but have had no luck. Anyone know of any way to raise the trolling motor a bit to keep the prop clear of the boat? I had an incident with my old boat where the switch got turned on while driving down the road and by the time I noticed it beat the [censored] out of my boat and the prop. Trying to keep this boat in better condition than the old one, so I'd like to reduce the risk of damage as much as I can. Either unplug the trolling motor (if it's not hardwired) or turn the switch off at the pedal.
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Re: Big Foot Switch Removal
[Re: Txduckhunter]
#12463393
10/12/17 08:37 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 754
5PounderOnAFrog
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 754 |
Either unplug the trolling motor (if it's not hardwired) or turn the switch off at the pedal. Yeah that is the obvious answer but I've been known to forget. Figured it might be worth it to add some sort of bracket that would raise it a bit but not a huge deal.
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Re: Big Foot Switch Removal
[Re: 5PounderOnAFrog]
#12463455
10/12/17 09:22 PM
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,476
T-racer @ Mallard Marine
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,476 |
I use fiberglass resin to fill holes in boat like you are describing.
Mallard Marine Nacogdoches, Tx 936-225-3244 - Authorized Sales/Service Mercury Outboards - Allison Boats
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Re: Big Foot Switch Removal
[Re: 5PounderOnAFrog]
#12463683
10/13/17 12:46 AM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,220
BigCaseyB206
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,220 |
Either unplug the trolling motor (if it's not hardwired) or turn the switch off at the pedal. Yeah that is the obvious answer but I've been known to forget. Figured it might be worth it to add some sort of bracket that would raise it a bit but not a huge deal. Contact David @ Shut-Up-And-Fish for one of Blue Nitro's Lift Saver mounts. Worked great on my MG Xi5 I had on my previous Champion
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