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I am not familiar with your model of Whaler at all, but I used a
Minn Kota RTA-17 Quick Release Bracket to mount my Minn Kota Riptide ST I-pilot trolling motor on the bow of my 1986 Outrage 18. It worked great, and I was able to use the aluminum plate under the original bowbit to securely mount it.

I am building a custom fiberglass mounting location on the same boat to mount my electric trolling motor. This will get the trolling motor out of the direct center of the bow.

When I was researching electric trolling motors to use, I found that I had 2 options besides the, in my opinion, best mounting locations for a trolling motor, the bow. Besides the transom mount trolling motor, there is an outboard engine mounted option. You can actually mount a trolling motor on he cavitation plate of any outboard engine.

When I made my decision on an electric trolling motor, I chose not to use this type or transom mounted type due to concerns about thrust efficiency and maneuverabilty. If you are deadset against putting holes for mounts in the bow of the boat, this is a viable option, and I think these could be viable nowadays if maneuverability of the boat is not the greatest concern.

My 1986 Outrage 18 had a set of Lenco troll-n-tab electric trolling motors installed on it by the original dealer before delivery. Apparently they worked, but back in 1986, they did not have the technology we have now to work with, and the motors failed a lot. The old controls were not digital either.
The new modern electric Minn-Kota's of this design are much more dependable, at least that is what I understand from current owners that I know.
I have not met anyone that uses the engine mounted, or trolling tab option that actually prefers them, however. Everyone prefers the bow mounted electric trolling motors for control of the boat during fishing. There is a range of turning issue with any of the stern options with electric trolling motors. Stern mounting severely limits maneuverability.
No one seems to be truly happy with any of the stern mounted trolling motor options, at least no one I know personally. If control of the boat, and thrust efficiency during trolling is of paramount importance to you, bow mounted is the only way to go.

I would, and did, drill holes to mount a trolling motor on my bow after researching this issue. I still think it was the best option, without building a custom mount on the boat.