How to Build a Side Saddle Canoe Mount

Canoes are built for wilderness travel; their shallow draft, maneuverability and lightweight construction contribute to the vessels' adaptability. Part of that adaptability is the ability to propel it using a motor. Though some sportsman canoes have square sterns with flat transoms to accommodate clamping on a motor, most canoes have the traditional pointed stern. Those canoes without square sterns require a side-saddle mount to attach a motor. Most side-saddle canoe mounts allow up to a two-horsepower motor and almost any trolling motor size. A removable side-saddle motor mount installs easily in just a few minutes.

Things You'll Need

  • 36-by-1-by-5-inch hardwood board
  • Measuring tape
  • Safety glasses
  • Drill
  • 3/8-inch drill bit
  • 12-by-1-by- 3-inch hardwood board
  • Saw
  • 4 carriage bolts, 4 inches long, 3/8-inch diameter
  • 6 washers. 3/8-inch
  • 4 wing nuts, 3/8-inch diameter
  • Clamp
  • Motor
  • 6-by-2-by-6-inch hardwood board
  • 2 8-inch carriage bolts, 3/8-inch
  • 2 lock washers, 3/8-inch
  • 2 nuts, 3/8-inch
  • Sandpaper
  • Polyurethane
  • Paintbrush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place one 36-by-1-by-5 inch board across the gunwales at the canoe's stern. Align the board parallel to and within 4 inches of the stern seat. Let the board hang over the starboard side by 4 inches. The long side of the board should hang over the port side. This board will serve as the crossbar for the mount.

    • 2
      Measure carefully to conserve lumber.

      Mark the board where it lies across the top of the gunwales. Draw a parallel line 1/2 inch from that mark on the internal side of the canoe. Repeat this procedure for the board's other side.

    • 3
      Drill at a 90-degree angle to align holes between the crossbar and bracket.

      Put on safety glasses. Drill two parallel 3/8-inch holes 1/2 inch from the crossbar along the line you marked previously. Position the holes 2 inches inward from each side of the board. Do this task on both the port and starboard sides.

    • 4

      Insert one 12-by-1-by- 3-inch hardwood board along the bottom edge of the gunwales, and push it toward the stern. This board serves as the bottom bracket. Trim it with a saw so it fits directly underneath the crossbar. When trimmed, the bottom bracket should barely touch the port and starboard hull.

    • 5

      Align the crossbar and bottom bracket. Pass a pencil through the top holes to mark where to drill in the bottom bracket. Drill four holes through the bottom bracket.

    • 6

      Insert 4-inch long, 3/8-inch diameter carriage bolts through the bottom bracket and up through the crossbar. Secure each bolt with a washer and wing nut. Afterward, the crossbar is firmly attached to the canoe.

    • 7

      Clamp a motor onto the center of an upright 6-by-2-by-6-inch hardwood board, and slide it onto the stern-side top of of the crossbar. Position the motor as close to the canoe as possible for greater balance; however, ensure that the motor or tiller does not hit the canoe when turned. Mark the position of the 6-by-2-by-6-inch hardwood board, and take the motor off the block.

    • 8

      Drill two 3/8-inch holes 4 inches apart in the 6-by-2-by-6-inch hardwood board as it was positioned previously. Continue to drill through the crossbar. Push 8-inch long, 3/8-inch diameter carriage bolts through the two holes you just made, and secure them with lock washers and nuts. The mount is structurally complete.

    • 9

      Trim excess wood from the motor mount with the saw. Sand the mount, and cover it with polyurethane to protect the wood.

    • 10

      Clamp the motor to the side-saddle mount. Check it for sturdiness before entering water. Adjusting the weight in the canoe to compensate for the lopsided weight of the motor.