DIY Remote Controlled Trolling Motor

This was a project I started because I love to go fishing on the Chattahoochee river and wanted to spend more time fishing and less time controlling the motor. The concept is easy and used on lots of DIY steering projects. Two strings on each side of the motor when pulled turn the shaft in either direction. A single 12v DC high torque geared motor is used to pull either string depending on the rotation direction of the motor. I used some hard wood treated for marine use to make a mount for the motor. The mount clamps on to the trolling motor mount and can be used for any trolling motor. To control the steering motor and the trolling motor I used a 4 channel relay switched remote control unit from eBay. By setting the control for the steering to on when the button is pressed I can move the trolling motor shaft left by pressing one button and right by pressing another. The trolling motor is turned to its highest setting and pressing the button on the remote closes the relay and supplies power to the motor unit the button is pressed again. I will list the parts for this project below and follow up with some testing notes.
12v DC high Torque geared motor ~60RPM - http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-DC-60RPM-Powerful-High-Torque-Gear-Box-Motor-/331256938684?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d2073c0bc

4ch Remote Control - http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-12v-4-Channel-Wireless-Remote-Control-Receiver-Momentary-Switch-/160957051029?pt=Home_Automation_Controls_Touchscreens&hash=item2579c9b095

1 Piece of 1'L x 2" x 1" Marine treated hard wood
2 L clamps from the hardware store 4" 90deg angle
2 4" bolts with wing nuts
Spider wire braided fishing line 40lb test
12v battery
Misc wire for connecting components


Happy Innovating!    -J Marcantonio