shaft length on bow mount T.M. question

[john from md]

Question one,

Before I lengthen the shaft on my Endura 40, I need some input as to what length to go to. My current shaft is 36" and I plan to mount the motor on the bow of my 16ft Bayliner. The motor is set up for transom use but I am going to put a removable mount just behind the bow light.

Question two,

Will the Endura 40 give me 3 knots on this particular boat with just me, fuel and fishing gear? I plan to use a 24 series DC battery.

Thanks for whatever help you can give me,

John

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: shaft length on bow mount T.M. question

if you are going to be adjustable, i would measure, to about 10 inches below the keel. you can always raise it, but not lengthen it. if you get into a chop, you will be glad you have the length. i've always used a group 27 deep cycle.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: shaft length on bow mount T.M. question

The best way to do this is with the boat in the water. Measure from the bow of the boat to the water line and add one foot. You might even add some extra so you can adjust up or down. Get into a high chop and even at a foot, the prop may ventilate.

 

[john from md]

Re: shaft length on bow mount T.M. question

I would love to do it in the water but up here the temp is 38 and chance of snow. The boat is on blocks in the driveway waiting for spring. I plan to modify the trolling motor as a winter project.

As for the group 24 battery, I have a bad back and the group 27 feels a good bit heavier to me. I will only need to get about three hours of trolling out of it at a pop so I'm hoping that the 24 will work.

John

 

[Silvertip]

Re: shaft length on bow mount T.M. question

With weather being your enemy, then do as Tash suggested but add a good bit more length. You can always cut the shaft at the top and shorten the wires without breaking the seal at the bottom end. Make it too short and you get to do the job twice. As for batteries, the only solution for run time is battery capacity. Just because you have a 27 group battery does not automatically mean it has more capacity than a 24. It generally does but that is not always so. Only the label will tell you what the reserve capacity is with a 20A draw. I will assume you are using a Deep Cycle battery. A solution for lugging around the battery is install an on-board charger that you plug in at the dock or at home. Leave the battery in the boat.

 

[kandil]

Re: shaft length on bow mount T.M. question

Hello and happy Holiday every one I think That 40 pound is not powerful enough for your boat if it gets windy it will drift the bigger the better.I did not know you could make the shaft longer do you have to splice the wires? and what kind of material do you use?

 

[john from md]

Re: shaft length on bow mount T.M. question

Kandil,

Thanks for your input. The forty was free so I am trying to use it.

As to lengthing the shaft, you can buy a longer shaft from Minn Kota. All you have to do then is to cut the wires and splice in the extra length needed.

How about on not so windy days, any chance I can get some use out of this motor?

John

 

[kandil]

Re: shaft length on bow mount T.M. question

I use a transom mount 45 on a tunnel hull inflatable 13' and it works fine but it drifts in the strong wind but still work so I imagine yours should work too good luck.

 

[sschefer]

Re: shaft length on bow mount T.M. question

Shaft Length: I run a MinnKota Terrova on my 14ft with a 54" shaft. As was said before, you can always slide it up but you can't make it longer.

Battery: Take a look at the Exide Blue Top AGM. It's a group 24 that performs much better than most 24's. My Terrova has a pulse stepper motor that is a mizer and I get a good 3 hours out this battery and it only weighs 35lbs.

Speed - 3kts (3.4 mph) might be possible and with dual AGM's you might make 3 hours of trolling time. I get three hours at 1.2-1.8 knots with the Terrova at 4 clicks on the remote with a single AGM