A day spent fishing sounds like the perfect day to a lot of people. It does not matter if it is your favorite hobby or just hunger to pass the time- it is fun…or at least until the aches and discomforts in your backs and legs show up.
Well, that’s where the best recessed trolling motor tray comes. Fishing often results in leg pain, but with this unit, you won’t get the slightest hint of the passing hours. It will help you avoid and reduce the back and leg pain and let you enjoy your fishing without having to worry about the nags.
Trolling motor trays have other advantages and disadvantages as well, so you should keep reading to find out what they are. However, this is not the single thing you will find in our buying guide. We have prepared a lot of useful information, tips, and most importantly reviews of the best recessed trolling motor trays.
Best Recessed Trolling Motor Trays Comparison Chart
PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
---|---|---|---|
R & R Design Recessed Trolling MTR Pan |
| View On Amazon | |
Rod Saver Motorguide Flat Foot Tray |
| View On Amazon | |
EZ Troll Fishing Boat Motor Tray |
| View On Amazon | |
Rod Saver Minn Kota Flat foot Tray |
| View On Amazon |
BEST RECESSED TROLLING MOTOR TRAYS (NEW LIST 2021)
These are the most reliable products you could find on the market nowadays. They are not listed in any particular order, so read them all and decide which one will be the perfect option for you.
1. R & R Design Recessed Trolling MTR Pan
If you like fishing for long hours, then this recessed trolling pan by R & R Design will be a valuable accessory for your fishing boat. There will be less strain on the leg as it keeps the boat even and avoids tripping hazard. This model is one of the cheapest troll pan available in the market. Built from powder-coated aluminum, this footed tray is sturdy. It is also UV protected, and the paint will not fade quickly.
The product dimensions are 0.8 x 17 x 4 inches. It has a global design and will fit almost all trolling motor foot control. It is relatively lightweight weighing only 5 pounds and will not add much weight on the boat.
One drawback of this trolling pan is that it doesn’t come with any hardware or template. You will need to buy the screws additionally and construct your own template. The pan has 4 pre-drilled holes which some will count as a disadvantage in case it doesn’t match the foot pedal.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Lightweight
- Well-built
Cons
- No pre-drilled drainage hole
- No hardware or cutting template included
2. Rod Saver Motorguide Flat Foot Tray
Eliminate back pain and reduce strain on the leg caused by long hours of fishing on a boat by adding a recessed tray for foot control. Rod Saver has specially designed a recessed tray for motor guides. It is a durable tray as 1/8 aluminum is used to manufacture them. On top of that, it has a baked-on powder coat finish. It is designed to give you better balance as well as safe fishing
You are spared from drilling a drainage hole as the foot tray has a drain line through which a hose can be easily connected to get rid of water. The installation will be straightforward as the unit comes with stainless steel screws, cutting template, clamp, and an instruction booklet.
One disadvantage of this tray is that it is quite large. The product dimension is 19.5 x 14.2 x 6.2 inches which might not fit some old model motor guide trolling boats. On the plus side, the tray weighs only 4 pounds.
Pros
- Made from 1/8 Aluminium and finish with a heated powder coat.
- Includes hardware and template
- Pre-drilled drainage whole
Cons
- Too large and might not fit in some motor guides
3. EZ Troll Fishing Boat Motor Tray
You will be able to have a better posture while fishing with the EZ Troll motor tray as it has a forward taper design. It will not only get rid of back pain but keeps your boat balance and more stable.
The tray is made of highly resistant polyethylene plastic with UV protection which prevents the paint from fading. But on the downside, the plastic material might not be stable enough as it flexes while standing on the pedal. You might need to build a subfloor under the bottom of the tray to provide extra support.
It weighs 2.8 pounds and happens to be one of the most lightweight motor tray available in the market and will not add much extra weight on the boat.
Another useful feature of this tray is that the front drain is screened which prevents blockage of the drainage hole due to debris. The unit consists of the tray itself, hardware, set-up instruction, and cutting template.
Pros
- Weighs only 2.8 pounds
- Screened drain to prevent blocking of the drain line
- Forward taper design
Cons
- Made of plastic and tends to flex
4. Rod Saver Minn Kota Flat foot Tray
Have a safer fishing experience by installing a recessed tray to your fishing boat to put the trolling motor. Not only will it make your deck look neater and tidy, but reduce strain on your leg and avoid back pain. This footed tray is a product of Rod Saver, and it is made especially for Minn Kotas. Apart from the tray, the unit includes a drain line, clamp, cutting template, installation instruction, and stainless steel screws.
The foot tray is long-lasting as they are made from 1/8 Aluminium and finished with a heated powder coating. It weighs only 2.5 pounds which is an added advantage as the tray will not put much weight on the boat.
The dimensions of the tray are 19.5 x 14.2 x 6.2 inches which are pretty standard and will fit in most boats provided they are of a recent model. This is because the recessed container will not fit the older model built in the early 80s and 90s that have a control pedal measuring 14 inches long.
Pros
- Sturdy and long lasting
- Lightweight
- Includes hardware, cutting template, screws, clamp
Cons
- Screws are not the best quality
- Not enough space for trolling motor cable
What is a Recessed Trolling Motor Tray?
There are many marine supplies and tools that you could buy to make your boating experience unforgettable. A recessed trolling motor tray is one of them. Still, don’t forget to check out our guides on other top-class marine supplies as well.
During fishing, you will likely have your legs rested onto the deck at all times. If you attempt to cast your reel, though, you will find out that you are not very stable. A trolling motor tray will help you place your legs in 90 to 120-degrees positions while sitting. You will not only be stable but will also have your back and leg pain reduced.
On the other hand, you can also fit these trays on your kayak, if it does not have a foot placing area. When choosing such a unit, there are a few factors you need to keep in mind. The measurement of your boat and the size of your unit, the installation process, the safety features the tray has, etc., are just some of the things you need to be careful with.
Advantages of Recessed Trolling Motor Trays
Here is why once you go to a recessed trolling motor tray you’ll never go back to one just resting on the deck.
- Recessed Trolling Motor Trays help you to be more stable.
- They reduce back and leg pain.
- They also give you great comfort while fishing.
- Last but not least, recessed trolling motor trays give a great look to your boat.
Factors to Consider When Looking for a Recessed Trolling Motor Tray
There are a few factors to keep in mind when searching for a product like this one. Let’s have a quick look:
Specifications
Make sure that you are informed of the specifications your recessed trolling motor has. If you are choosing a product online, always read the unit’s characteristics. This rule should be applied to every other product, no matter if it is a trolling motor or a marine battery charger that we are talking about.
Material
Always look at the material your tray is made of. Make sure that it is a sturdy one so that it could stay strong and give your support during your fishing sessions.
A long-lasting, high-grade aluminum is never a bad option. The finishing touch should also be of superior quality.
Compatibility
Some recessed trolling motor trays are not compatible with all types of boats. That’s why this factor is essential when searching for such a unit.
Weight
When choosing units for your boats, you always have to be careful with their weight. The situation is the same with trolling motor batteries, deep cycle marine batteries, etc. If their weight is too high, your boat will not perform that way you want.
Installation
This should be a hassle-free process. Our team recommends that you always read the comments and reviews a specific product has. This way you will see if other people have had problems with the installation of the unit. You will also find out if the instruction manual is well-written and helpful.
Most of the time the installation is not hard at all. However, there are a few things you need to know and some specific steps you should follow. Keep reading to find out some beneficial information on how to install your trolling motor tray.
Safety Features
These are also an essential factor to consider when shopping for a recessed trolling motor tray. There should be no chances of tripping off while being engaged in fishing.
Main Parts
The drain pipe, clasp, and stainless steel screws are some of the most important parts you need to be careful with.
Tools Required for Installation
Before starting with the installation process itself, let’s have a quick look at the tools required for the installation. To properly install your recessed trolling motor tray, you will need:
- Utility knife
- A cordless drill (with a keyhole saw bit 1″, and 1/8 drill bit)
- A cordless sander
- A high-speed jigsaw
- A vacuum cleaner
How to install a Recessed Trolling Motor Tray?
Now that you know the various tools you will need, have a look at the steps you need to follow when installing recessed trolling motor tray:
- Start by opening the mounting clamps of the bracket.
- Slip the motor over the transom and position it as close to the stern’s center as possible.
- Tighten the clamps.
- Position the brackets of mounting on the apex of the anti-cavitation plate.
- Mark and drill holes in the anti-cavitation plate. You are going to put bolts in there.
- Insert the bolts and tighten them.
- Separate the assembly of the trolling motor from the base of the mount.
- Choose and mark holes on the deck. That’s where your recessed trolling motor tray will be placed.
- Place a rubber washer underneath each bolt.
- Position the base above the drilled holes and slip bolts into each hole.
- And finally, check if the base level rests properly against the surface of the deck.
Wrap Up
Finding the best recessed trolling motor tray is not as easy as it looks, and as you have successfully reached at the end of our buying guide, we are sure that you already know that. We are confident that with our reviews of the best recessed trolling motor trays you have found the product you looked for.
If our assumption is indeed correct, and you have enjoyed reading this piece and found it useful, do not wait to share it with others. Also, if you think that we have missed something in our article or you just want to ask something, feel free to send us an email or write us a comment.
Our primary goal is to help our readers, so we have many other buying guides devoted to picking the right unit. If you liked this one, find some free time and go check them out as well. Thanks for reading, and as always- stay put!