Minimum shaft length for a trolling motor

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jeffybear
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Minimum shaft length for a trolling motor

#1 Post by jeffybear » Fri Sep 18, 2009 1:25 pm

What is the minimum length shaft needed for my toon? I'm looking at a motor guide #54 with a 50" shaft ($300) and a buddy that I work with has a Motorguide #62 w/remote foot pedal but it's only got a 42" shaft. Will the 42" work at all?
"If 10% is good enough for God, then 9% should be just fine for the Federal Government"
Herman Cain - Aug 18 2011


1997 90hp 2 Stroke Merc
1997 Sun Tracker Fishin' Barge 21

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jeffybear
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Re: Minimum shaft length for a trolling motor

#2 Post by jeffybear » Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:57 pm

touch
"If 10% is good enough for God, then 9% should be just fine for the Federal Government"
Herman Cain - Aug 18 2011


1997 90hp 2 Stroke Merc
1997 Sun Tracker Fishin' Barge 21

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HandymanHerb
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Re: Minimum shaft length for a trolling motor

#3 Post by HandymanHerb » Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:18 pm

Sorry can't believe no in jumped in , but put it in the water and measure you distance to the water and add 12 inches to get the prop in the water good, that would be your min.

I started with a 20 lb I got cheap and found out if there any wind it won't do much, then I bought a moter guide I got for a good price on a 36 v, as I wanted one that could get me home even at 4 mph, since a few of the places I went, you were not walking out.

One time I ran aground right beside a 10 foot gator, he went down, so thank God I was able to push it off with a pole
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jeffybear
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Re: Minimum shaft length for a trolling motor

#4 Post by jeffybear » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:30 pm

I'm sure a 50" shaft will get me in the water.

I have a guy that is willing to sell me a (like new) Motorguide 12 volt w/#54 thrust @ 50" for $300. It has the extended hand control.

However I work with a guy that has a Motorguide with a 24 volt #62 thrust but the shaft is only about 42", this one has the remote foot controls and option for other remote controlling, which I prefer (I think). Was wondering if there would be a way to create a false step across the pontoons in the front that would give me enough drop to use the 42"? He is asking $150 for this one and it's only been used one season.

What do you guys think? Possible? The pic should show you how much space I have on the front toon. I'm just thinking, not sure this is possible at all.

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"If 10% is good enough for God, then 9% should be just fine for the Federal Government"
Herman Cain - Aug 18 2011


1997 90hp 2 Stroke Merc
1997 Sun Tracker Fishin' Barge 21

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HandymanHerb
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Re: Minimum shaft length for a trolling motor

#5 Post by HandymanHerb » Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:26 pm

I went with a tape to mine in the yard and it looks like 42 should be fine, even if you only have 40 inches down from the deck and yes the ones with remote control in you hand beats being rooted in one spot on a big toon.

And the 24 volt with two bateries will last longer the the 12 with 2 batteries and the 60 pound will move you heading in to a higher wind faster too.
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Re: Minimum shaft length for a trolling motor

#6 Post by jeffybear » Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:35 pm

I picked up the Motorguide Lazer II (62/RF) from my buddy at work tonight and took it out to my toon to check it against the water lines. I believe it will work. However when I got home and did some searching I found that I could order a 50" shaft from Motorguide for $41.00. I believe I'll just go that route. Let me post another question if I might. It also comes with a Motorguide Gator Mount, the one thing I don't like about this is that it takes up so much room when not in use, thinking about ordering a different mounting bracket that I can mount to front of the toon and then just dismount the trolling motor when not in use. What's your all's take on that?
"If 10% is good enough for God, then 9% should be just fine for the Federal Government"
Herman Cain - Aug 18 2011


1997 90hp 2 Stroke Merc
1997 Sun Tracker Fishin' Barge 21

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HandymanHerb
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Re: Minimum shaft length for a trolling motor

#7 Post by HandymanHerb » Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:46 pm

If you can get one that will pull straight up to clear the water, you can just use a locking ring to hold it up.

I got the Gator mount and it takes up some room but I got mind where I can pull it off in 10 minutes
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jeffybear
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Re: Minimum shaft length for a trolling motor

#8 Post by jeffybear » Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:54 pm

Any way you can post some pics. When you say take it off in 10 minutes, you mean completely off the boat or just out of the way?
"If 10% is good enough for God, then 9% should be just fine for the Federal Government"
Herman Cain - Aug 18 2011


1997 90hp 2 Stroke Merc
1997 Sun Tracker Fishin' Barge 21

User avatar
HandymanHerb
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Posts: 14314
Joined: Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:57 pm
Location: Orlando Fla

Re: Minimum shaft length for a trolling motor

#9 Post by HandymanHerb » Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:15 pm

I got t nuts that spikes in to the wood to hold the nut, so I remove 4 screws from the mount and 2 from the foot pedal.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2001695/T-Nuts.aspx
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