short shaft trolling motor

[jburn25]

I'm looking to upgrade my trolling motor on my aluminum boat. It's a 17 foot boat and the current trolling motor is 36# and 36" shaft. The foot control on it is really wearing me out so I'm hoping to get an electric steer foot control motor so the foot control steering will be effortless. Only problem is that shortest shaft length I can find is 48" on all these models (Minn Kota, Motorguide). Anyone know if these companies make shorter shaft lengths, but perhaps they are just not listed on their website?

I could get by with a longer shaft, but it would just take so much space up on my front deck and when in the "stowed" position would cover up my front deck storage hatch so I would only be able to open it with trolling motor down.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: short shaft trolling motor

I'm surprised that on a 17 footer you could get by with a 36 inch shaft. That is usually the length for a transom mount motor. The way to determine proper length is to measure from the bow to the water and add a minimum of one foot.

 

[jburn25]

Re: short shaft trolling motor

When I started looking for a new trolling motor, I assumed mine was a 48" since thats the shortest I saw advertised and since my boat isn't necessarily tiny, but I measured it and thats what it is for sure. I haven't had a problem with the prop coming out of the water or anything, but then again this boat has yet to be in really rough conditions yet. I think I'll have to try out the 48" shafts and just deal with the fact that I can't open my bow storage compartment unless my trolling motor is down.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: short shaft trolling motor

spend the $ and go with the wireless remote controls, i will never go back to a foot controlled motor.