Do I need a mount to support the head of my Xi5 when it is not in use? I really don’t want to put more holes in the boat if I don’t have to, but the head being 60″ from the base in rough water will most likely flex a bit. I don’t really want the head bashing against the boat. You guys running Xi5 have a mount for the head of the motor?
Yes and this is the same setup as Skeeter 20. I think the head is way too close to the gunnel; not only in rough water but when the travel cover is on as well. My boat also has rails which are the same height as the head of the motor.
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I did this with the trolling motor mount from ram, works good, been on your about 1 year.
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I don’t and I really don’t see the need for it. It never comes in close contact of my gunnels and I’ve been in some real rough stuff.
Thanks for the replies guys. I am still on the fence. I measured it last night and the head is 6-7″ from the gunnel. I have a Warrior boat that handles the waves pretty well, but I have come off some big rollers and slapped the nose down good a few times.:???: 
Socoeyechaser/07lowchamp…one question. You have a rail right there! Why put holes in the boat? To each there own, and I’m sure you both have a good reason. I just need to hear it.
Socoeyechaser/07lowchamp…one question. You have a rail right there! Why put holes in the boat? To each there own, and I’m sure you both have a good reason. I just need to hear it.
The head of the motor is lower than the rail because I mounted the motor directly into the deck without plates etc. I have no need to remove this motor ever. My biggest reason for stabilizing is the to keep the head away from the hull and rails when I have the travel cover on; not when running in rough water-can always slide the collar down for that. These pictures show where the head is in relation to the rail and deck-I had to to go outside the rail.
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Socoeyechaser/07lowchamp…one question. You have a rail right there! Why put holes in the boat? To each there own, and I’m sure you both have a good reason. I just need to hear it.
I personally love drilling holes in my boat, it means I’m getting some cool new toy!
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Tim Bossert wrote:</div>
Socoeyechaser/07lowchamp…one question. You have a rail right there! Why put holes in the boat? To each there own, and I’m sure you both have a good reason. I just need to hear it.I personally love drilling holes in my boat, it means I’m getting some cool new toy!
I have an Xi5 on my 2190 again this year. I came across the Ram Tough Claw and gave it a try and I am very impressed. We had some rough conditions this past weekend to test it out!
I also have rails on my boat but the trolling motor head does not come back far enough to use a rail adapter. I have nothing against drilling a few holes in the boat 
I have always added the Ram to my trolling motors not for the sake of the head hitting the boat but to prevent the head from bouncing around and deploying while driving. Sure I could move the collar down but I have had the compasses and things break in my old terrovas head from not securing with Ram mount.
The beauty of the Tough Claw is not losing any shaft length. Last year I actually cut the collar down on my Xi5 then installed the normal Ram stabilizer. I use the medium Claw. I see others have found this to be a great fit for the Ulterra as well.
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