csmith30259 Posted March 21, 2016 Report Share Posted March 21, 2016 Just bought a new iPilot for my 2007 Hewes. Took the old trolling motor off and of course the holes do not align. I noticed that the mount will have to stick off the bow of the boat a good bit +- 7 inches. Is this normal? Also, has anyone had a problem with the front cleat being in the way of the trolling motor mount? Just trying to figure out the best way to mount this thing. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you, Corey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.A. Posted March 21, 2016 Report Share Posted March 21, 2016 Here is a picture of my 2014 Redfisher and iPilot. It does stick out some (~6"). It has the Minn Kota quick release bracket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csmith30259 Posted March 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2016 Thanks! You wouldnt happen to have any side views or a front up close view would you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.A. Posted March 21, 2016 Report Share Posted March 21, 2016 I'll take some when I get home later today.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csmith30259 Posted March 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2016 Perfect! Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow mouth Posted March 22, 2016 Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 I took off a Motor Guide hand tiller to install an ipilot and ran into the same trouble that you did. I moved the front cleat back a few inches and cut a piece of starboard that matched the deck color to cover the old bolt holes as well as the old cleat hole. Ended up rounding off the edges with a belt sander. I was worried about the outcome, but turned out factory and I was really happy with it. That was the only option I came up with short of having gel coat work done. I was also worried about the ipilot hanging over the bow 6", but hasn't been a problem so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.A. Posted March 22, 2016 Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Here are some better pics, hope these help..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csmith30259 Posted March 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Yea thats what I was worried about - Having to move that cleat back. Thanks for the feedback! I will keep you all posted on the progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csmith30259 Posted March 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Great! These help a lot. It looks like on the newer Hewes, the cleat is pushed back a little farther than on my 2007. Looks like I may be having to move that cleat. Just ordered the quick release bracket so I will let you know what the turnout is. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.A. Posted March 22, 2016 Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Good luck! Hope it all works out..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csmith30259 Posted March 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 Well fellas - I finally got it mounted! So on the 2007, I had to mount the quick release bracket almost all the way to the front of the boat. The problem I ran into, was how I was going to get the nuts on when they were all the way up at the front. I didnt want to cut an access hole in the anchor compartment. So I decided to get a little creative with it. I taped a wrench to a metal pole, just long enough to reach the bow of the boat. Dropped me a flashlight down there and then thought to use the iPhone FaceTime feature to be my video camera so I could see what I was doing. Propped up one phone down in the hull, the other where I could see it and had my brother start spinning the screw until the nut that i had taped to the wrench caught. It worked pretty darn good! So for anyone out there that has had a problem with this, I guarantee this is a pretty easy way without having to cut any access holes on the boat. Regards, Corey 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2000 RF 16 Posted March 24, 2016 Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 Is there an aluminum plate in that model? The bolts I could not reach I was able to drill and tap the Aluminum plate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csmith30259 Posted March 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 Yea there was - Felt like it would be a bit stronger to run the bolt all the way through. Guess both would work though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.A. Posted March 24, 2016 Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 Great job! Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty L Posted November 20, 2019 Report Share Posted November 20, 2019 On 3/24/2016 at 11:38 AM, csmith30259 said: Well fellas - I finally got it mounted! So on the 2007, I had to mount the quick release bracket almost all the way to the front of the boat. The problem I ran into, was how I was going to get the nuts on when they were all the way up at the front. I didnt want to cut an access hole in the anchor compartment. So I decided to get a little creative with it. I taped a wrench to a metal pole, just long enough to reach the bow of the boat. Dropped me a flashlight down there and then thought to use the iPhone FaceTime feature to be my video camera so I could see what I was doing. Propped up one phone down in the hull, the other where I could see it and had my brother start spinning the screw until the nut that i had taped to the wrench caught. It worked pretty darn good! So for anyone out there that has had a problem with this, I guarantee this is a pretty easy way without having to cut any access holes on the boat. Regards, Corey Nice Job! I'm about to attempt to install an ipilot on my 2009 redfisher. does it end up sticking off by 6"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csmith30259 Posted November 21, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2019 Hi Marty - That is correct. Here is a picture of the finished product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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