Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Just bought a 16' G3 pontoon fishing boat and want to add a trolling motor. I think a 48" would be sufficient, but thought I'd see if anyone on the forum has one this short with a trolling motor. Thanks for any help!

i bought a 60" length shaft....

usually it works well with the motor about 1' under water - leaving a few feet of available shaft....

but... when trolling in rough water, and even with just passing boat waves, it will cavitate unless it's much deeper.... almost 'shaft deep'.... in the water...

it's a long way from deck height to water surface on the front of the pontoon.. isnt it about 3'?

<there's so many jokes to be had here - but wrong place>

Minn-Kota recommends:

I have a 54 on mine , I also need to say I had the "I-PILOT" installed & I love it.

I have the 54" shaft, and it's plenty long under all conditions so far. Have the i-Pilot as well, and love it.

Shipper wrote:Just bought a 16' G3 pontoon fishing boat and want to add a trolling motor. I think a 48" would be sufficient, but thought I'd see if anyone on the forum has one this short with a trolling motor. Thanks for any help!

I do not think it will be long enough. I have the Minkota Terrova 80lb thrust with 54". It works very well. There are times if I am at the back of the boat and other boats pass that create large waves, it will cavitate.

I have a 60" Minn Kota Terrova 101 on mine. Whats nice about the 60" height is I can see the head of the motor above the rail of the door. It's nice to see how much your motor is turning when you make an adjustment.

Dan

I appreciate all the comments. I have a chance to buy the 48" at a good price. I was hoping that with the motor head all the way down and with me in a front fishing chair, the front gate open; and using a foot control that it would work. I understand that in rough water it might cavitate, but I doubt that I'd be fishing if that rough.

I was also hoping that the 16' would help me compared to a longer pontoon, but my tube diameter of 23/25 (U shaped) might be about the same as a larger one. If I had it in the water, I could just measure and use the chart above but I wanted to install the trolling motor before going to the water. It looks like no one is using a 48" (no one out there?).

I was told I needed a 60" when I bought my pontoon but all they had in stock was 50" or smaller.

So I bought a bow mount 24v 75 # with the 50" shaft. I was told I could return it within 30 days if it did not work.

That was in August. I have not had any problems with it. Like you, I am using it from the bow. It might be a different story if you were using it from the stern, I don't know.

Ezgoing wrote:I was told I needed a 60" when I bought my pontoon but all they had in stock was 50" or smaller.

So I bought a bow mount 24v 75 # with the 50" shaft. I was told I could return it within 30 days if it did not work.

That was in August. I have not had any problems with it. Like you, I am using it from the bow. It might be a different story if you were using it from the stern, I don't know.

Minn kota has a grouping of two motors that they specifically call "pontoon" models.Both motors only have the 48" shaft (54# and 68#). They must assume that they fit some pontoons, but obviously they don't fit most from the replies I've received. I think I'll give them a call and ask what they think they will fit. I'll post their answer if I get one.

Is there some sort of kit to extend the length of trolling motor shaft. Or has anyone tried cutting and threading the shaft to put an extension on one?

I have a 101 thrust that came with a 60" inch. I cut about 6" off after I used the motor and determined the preferred lenth. Becareful with the wires when cutting the shaft. They need to be protected since they can't be removed. Take it slow and carefully.

I have a friend who has a 48 I pilot on a 20' er and his is ok until you give it a lotta gas then it cavitates.... I tried o advise him to go 54 or 60 but he dident.... Now he wished he did, I'll get a 60 when I get another one for my new toon!

I think it depends on how rough of water you are going to be trolling in. I have a 60" 70lb with co-pilot on our 20' Sweetwater and it has been more than adequate, but biggest chop has maybe been 2 ft. I find the bow seems to cut the waves better and stays lower in the water on the pontoon compared to our 18' Sylvan boat.