Adding a Trolling motor to the Blue Sky Angler 360 by JK Team | May 26, 2020 | Blue Sky, Featured Post, Fishing, Fishing Boats, Fishing Tournament | 8 comments Adding a Trolling motor to the Blue Sky Angler 360 The tournament anglers have been increasing their range and fishability of their kayaks and BSB by use of Electric Motors. With the incredible stability of the BSB, I knew adding a trolling motor would be a game-changer for me. There are many brands of trolling motors out there. I ended up using a Minn Kota Terrova 55. This trolling motor would allow me to use spot-lock, to stay in one position and the motor would allow me to fish at greater distances. I started off by removing the front porch of my BSB. This was not difficult and required the use of a drill to remove the rivets holding on the front porch. Once removed, I mounted a 1/2″ thick piece of starboard. This material is very durable and weather resistant. I fastened down the front deck using Stainless steel bolts(2″x .25) and stainless locknuts. For better strength, I also assed 1: square tubing under the front deck. By adding this, I was able to have no flex whatsoever from the decking material. I drilled some holes so the water had somewhere to go and even added traction tape. Once the deck was installed I added the Minn Kota quick release bracket for my trolling motor. By having the QR mount, my trolling motor doesn’t have to stay on the BSB all the time and is easier to secure. I chose to mount my trolling motor at an angle so I could also use the pedal drive if there was a malfunction or battery failure. The upped pedal drive portion fits nicely inside the rear hatch of the pontoons. As you can see, I added starboard to the back porch of the BSB. I was able to gain some additional storage space. These are just a few of the modifications that I have done. If anyone has any questions, please reach out to me. Good luck and Good Fishing, Jerod [bigcommerce_product id=”2191,363″ order=”ASC” orderby=”date”] 8 Comments David Dionne on June 3, 2020 at 8:10 am Wow, well done. It looks like you’ve extended the front porch quite a bit more than the pro. Have you fished it standing at the front, with the troller? I’d add some buoyancy to the front of the front porch. I’m really torn between this and the pro model…that peddle drive takes SOOOO much space. Do u know anyone that makes a trailer for this? Reply Michael Fischer on March 29, 2021 at 10:07 pm Try Malone trailers. I’m using the Malone LowBed MicroSport Trailer. Reply Christopher Caluori on September 26, 2020 at 6:06 pm Do you have the dimensions of the starboard for the cut length? That’s an awesome set up and exactly what I want to do . Reply James Zaker on September 26, 2020 at 9:49 pm Great mod. I have extended the front porch using an aluminum sheet. I have purchased the trolling motor and battery but I am not sure how to run the wires. Could you please provide more info about it? Also, how do you store your trolling motor off water? Thanks! Reply Jason Lockwood on October 2, 2020 at 6:45 pm James, I think that one possibility is installing a freshwater/saltwater power plug (similar to the one by Minn Kota) into the deck and running the wiring through a conduit such as PEX pipe beneath the Blue Sky (secured adjacent to the frame) with a 90 degree elbow at the end, adjacent to the battery box (should you choose to have the battery in the back). Reply Jason Lockwood on October 2, 2020 at 9:17 pm I see that you have the foot pedal installed. I’m surprised that you’d be able to stand on the front porch while the motor is engaged, much less that close to the front. Has this worked well for you? Reply Michael Fischer on March 29, 2021 at 10:02 pm Hi Jerod, thank you for posting this design. What is the shaft length on the trolling motor? I assume it has been cut down. Did you go with a lithium battery? If so what Amp Hour level did you use and how does it perform? Reply Sean on February 20, 2023 at 12:20 am I just wanted to recommend you add a nice Lithium battery, ideally from Ohmmu Energy, they have been excellent in my fishing kayak! Tons of energy storage in a lightweight battery! Reply Submit a Comment Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ
David Dionne on June 3, 2020 at 8:10 am Wow, well done. It looks like you’ve extended the front porch quite a bit more than the pro. Have you fished it standing at the front, with the troller? I’d add some buoyancy to the front of the front porch. I’m really torn between this and the pro model…that peddle drive takes SOOOO much space. Do u know anyone that makes a trailer for this? Reply
Michael Fischer on March 29, 2021 at 10:07 pm Try Malone trailers. I’m using the Malone LowBed MicroSport Trailer. Reply
Christopher Caluori on September 26, 2020 at 6:06 pm Do you have the dimensions of the starboard for the cut length? That’s an awesome set up and exactly what I want to do . Reply
James Zaker on September 26, 2020 at 9:49 pm Great mod. I have extended the front porch using an aluminum sheet. I have purchased the trolling motor and battery but I am not sure how to run the wires. Could you please provide more info about it? Also, how do you store your trolling motor off water? Thanks! Reply
Jason Lockwood on October 2, 2020 at 6:45 pm James, I think that one possibility is installing a freshwater/saltwater power plug (similar to the one by Minn Kota) into the deck and running the wiring through a conduit such as PEX pipe beneath the Blue Sky (secured adjacent to the frame) with a 90 degree elbow at the end, adjacent to the battery box (should you choose to have the battery in the back). Reply
Jason Lockwood on October 2, 2020 at 9:17 pm I see that you have the foot pedal installed. I’m surprised that you’d be able to stand on the front porch while the motor is engaged, much less that close to the front. Has this worked well for you? Reply
Michael Fischer on March 29, 2021 at 10:02 pm Hi Jerod, thank you for posting this design. What is the shaft length on the trolling motor? I assume it has been cut down. Did you go with a lithium battery? If so what Amp Hour level did you use and how does it perform? Reply
Sean on February 20, 2023 at 12:20 am I just wanted to recommend you add a nice Lithium battery, ideally from Ohmmu Energy, they have been excellent in my fishing kayak! Tons of energy storage in a lightweight battery! Reply
