The best side mount trolling motor setup depends on your boat’s mounting surface and motor style. For a flat stern and a clamp-on electric motor, the Toolixor bracket offers 90-degree rotation; kayak owners can choose between a stern mount and a no-drill scupper-hole or track kit. The EZ Mount is a bow-mount option for compatible Jon boats, while the Minn Kota Endura C2 is a transom-mount motor rather than a mounting bracket. Check each product’s fit requirements before choosing.
| Product | Best suited for | Mounting style |
|---|---|---|
| Toolixor adjustable bracket | Small boats, canoes, and kayaks | Flat stern; clamp-on motor |
| EZ Mount | Compatible Jon boats | Bow; no drilling |
| Minn Kota Endura C2 | Freshwater anglers needing a motor | Transom mount |
| Universal kayak transom mount | Kayaks with a suitable flat stern | Stern; clamp-on motor |
| Codinter kayak mount kit | Sit-on-top kayaks with scupper holes or tracks | Scupper-hole or track mount |
Toolixor 90-Degree Adjustable Bracket
This bracket is best for small boats, canoes, or kayaks with a flat stern and a clamp-on electric trolling motor. Its 90-degree rotation provides flexible positioning, and the motor can be removed when the boat is under engine power or being trailered. The listed construction combines marine aluminum and nylon, with an oxidized and painted finish intended for water environments.
The product title lists support for motors up to 36 pounds of thrust. Choose it if you want an adjustable bracket for a compatible clamp-on motor. Avoid it if your boat lacks a suitable flat mounting surface or your motor does not use a clamp-on style.
EZ Mount Universal Jon Boat Bracket
The EZ Mount is best for Jon or utility boat owners who want to install a trolling motor at the bow without drilling. It is designed for gunnels under 3 inches wide and 1 inch deep, and the listing says installation requires no tools. A bow position can suit buyers seeking control from the front of the boat rather than a stern-mounted arrangement.
Choose this mount only if your boat’s gunnel dimensions fit the stated limits. It is a bow-installation product, so it is not the right choice for someone specifically seeking a side or transom mount.
Minn Kota Endura C2 30-Pound-Thrust Motor
This is best for freshwater anglers shopping for a complete transom-mount electric motor, not a separate side-mount bracket. It has 30 pounds of thrust and a 30-inch shaft. Listed features include a six-inch telescoping tiller, a push-to-test battery meter, and a 10-position lever-lock bracket for adjusting and securing the motor angle.
The reinforced composite construction is described as resisting flexing, warping, and UV damage. Its prop is designed to provide extra thrust through heavy vegetation. Choose it if you need a motor with a transom mount; avoid it if you only need a standalone mounting bracket or require a bow-mount motor.
Universal Kayak Transom Motor Mount
This mount is best for kayak owners with a flat stern area large enough to accommodate the mount and a clamp-on electric motor. The listing describes compatibility with electric trolling motors and says the mount can support motors up to 3 horsepower. Its stainless-steel hardware and nylon plastic are described as corrosion-resistant and waterproof.
Choose it if your kayak has the required flat stern mounting area and you need a mount rather than a motor. The listing says it is not suitable for outboard engines, so do not select it for a gas outboard. Confirm your motor’s clamp and mounting requirements before purchase.
Codinter No-Drill Kayak Motor Mount Kit
This kit is best for sit-on-top fishing kayaks with compatible scupper holes or parallel mounting tracks. It offers two installation methods and does not require drilling into the kayak hull. The supplied ratchet strap helps secure the mount. The listing states a maximum capacity of 66 pounds, or 30 kilograms, of trolling-motor thrust.
Choose it if your kayak has the specified mounting features and you want a no-drill installation. It is not intended for declining flush-mount fishing rod holders. Check the kayak’s layout and the stated 3.54-to-31.5-inch width range before buying.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Side Mount Trolling Motor Setup
Where will the motor attach?
Identify whether you need a stern, bow, or side-positioned installation. These products are not interchangeable: the EZ Mount is for bow installation, while the two universal kayak brackets are designed for stern mounting. The Codinter kit attaches through compatible scupper holes or tracks. Match the mount to your boat’s actual structure rather than relying on a general “universal” label.
What motor and boat details should you check?
Confirm the motor is clamp-on if the mount calls for that style. Compare the motor’s thrust or horsepower with the mount’s stated limit, and verify the available surface, gunnel dimensions, scupper holes, or track arrangement. The Endura C2 is a motor with a transom-mount bracket; the other listed products are mounting hardware.
Do you want a no-drill installation?
The EZ Mount is advertised for bow installation without drilling or tools. The Codinter kit attaches to compatible kayak scupper holes or tracks without drilling the hull. Other mounts have different surface requirements, so confirm their installation method and your boat’s fit before ordering.
Which option suits a removable setup?
The Toolixor bracket’s 90-degree rotation is listed as a way to reposition the motor and remove it when under engine power or trailering. For kayak mounts, compare the attachment method and the effort required to secure or remove the assembly. Product descriptions do not establish that every motor will fit every boat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a side mount trolling motor?
It is a trolling motor positioned on the side of a boat, usually using a bracket or mounting surface suited to that vessel. Check whether a product is actually side-, stern-, or bow-mounted before buying.
Can a kayak use a clamp-on trolling motor?
Yes, if the kayak and mount provide a compatible attachment point. The Toolixor and universal kayak transom mount listings specify clamp-on electric motors, but fit depends on the kayak’s stern and the motor’s clamp.
Does the EZ Mount attach at the stern?
No. Its listing describes bow installation on Jon or utility boats with gunnels under 3 inches wide and 1 inch deep.
Is the Minn Kota Endura C2 a mounting bracket?
No. It is a 30-pound-thrust, 30-inch-shaft freshwater trolling motor with a transom-mount bracket.
Can the universal kayak transom mount hold a gas outboard?
No. Its listing specifies electric trolling motors and says it is not suitable for outboard engines.