Trolling motor length ?

Groma · March 24, 2021, 10:41:39 AM

Just wondering how you guys determine the length of your trolling motor shaft . I have a 171 Champion , Is there a way to measure it ?

Nutoy · March 24, 2021, 10:53:46 AM

Unless you fish big rough water, you could probably do well with a 45".
I run a 52" on a 22' boat and when it's rough enough for it to come out of the water, I don't want to be there anyways.

Bassinkorea · March 24, 2021, 04:55:51 PM

Agree with Nutoy here. I too have a 52" Ultrex shaft but could easily have gotten away with the 45" shaft for the fishing I do. My TM head sticks up a bit high due to the 52" shaft, but it's not all that bad now that I am used to it. And it's nice to know I have extra in case of super rough water.

BassmanRudy · March 24, 2021, 05:14:10 PM

My motorguide trolling motor has a 42" shaft and it has problems leaving the water anytime the wind is up. Won't get less than 45" on the next one and honestly they are easy to raise up/down so probably go 52" and never worry about it.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

Donald Garner · March 24, 2021, 06:12:46 PM

I have a 45" on my Stratos 285 Pro XL its a 18.5ft long.

SteveTX · March 24, 2021, 08:39:00 PM

Mine is 45" also. If its coming out of the water I am headed to the boat ramp to leave. I fish for fun and it takes 20 mph or more gusts to even come close to pulling mine out of the water. I don't fish in 20+mph wind as a personal safety rule.

Bud Kennedy · March 24, 2021, 08:56:37 PM

Quote from: SteveTX on March 24, 2021, 08:39:00 PM
Mine is 45" also. If its coming out of the water I am headed to the boat ramp to leave. I fish for fun and it takes 20 mph or more gusts to even come close to pulling mine out of the water. I don't fish in 20+mph wind as a personal safety rule.

+1

Capt. BassinLou · March 25, 2021, 05:58:51 AM

I also have a 45" and my boat is just shy of 19ft. I don't fish big waters often, but I also don't fish in conditions where I'm fighting big rollers.

coldfront · March 25, 2021, 06:28:29 AM

Quote from: SteveTX on March 24, 2021, 08:39:00 PM
Mine is 45" also. If its coming out of the water I am headed to the boat ramp to leave. I fish for fun and it takes 20 mph or more gusts to even come close to pulling mine out of the water. I don't fish in 20+mph wind as a personal safety rule.

safety is a huge concern. as a recreational guy, or even as a now retired club tournament director: safety is always first concern. and should be.

Groma · March 25, 2021, 10:57:12 AM

I'm pretty sure my rough water days are over for sure , that would be a safety issue for sure. alite chop is about all I'm up to these days unless it's someone else's bigger boat. I do appreciate all the great replies.

Dan21XRS · March 25, 2021, 01:42:55 PM

45" Minn Kota on my Bullet 21XRS and have never had a problem... Dan

Wizard · March 25, 2021, 04:18:25 PM

Troller length is determined by boat size and the water you fish. Because of wave size, locals at LOZ run 45-52 inch shafts. An angler in the next cove uses a 32 ft. Boston Whaler as a fishing boat and has a troller on the aft that rises against the hull while running and lowers into the water for fishing. I believe the maker is named Neptune.

Wizard

Oldfart9999 · March 25, 2021, 06:38:09 PM

I, on the other hand, have a 16 foot tin multispecies that has a 60 inch on it, works well even in rouh water.
Rodney

apenland01 · March 25, 2021, 06:55:22 PM

45 here as well. I think that's the most popular length for most standard bass boats. If you are in a multispecies or deeper V, you would probably need a 52 or 60...