Shaft Length question..

[sidechoke67]

Anyone know (or care to guess) if a trolling motor with a shaft length of 42" will be long enough to mount on the bow of a 17' open bow boat?

I have read a few posts on this board from people who turned the handle from a transom mount style trolling motor around in order to mount on the bow. This sounds like a great way to save money on a trolling motor - my question is whether I will be able to find a transom mount trolling motor with a long enough shaft to reach the water from the bow. The longest shaft I've seen on a transom mount is 42". My boat is a '01 Glastron 175.

I'll measure the distance from the bow to the water in the Spring - but would love to hear any thoughts now. These are the things I think about to get me through winter.

Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Shaft Length question..

motor guide makes some 50" shafts. i love my motor guide WP 45 wireless controlled. 54 "

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Shaft Length question..

A 42 inch shaft will probably not be long enough. It will put the tiller handle very low so you will have to bend way over, and the prop will likely break the surface on even the smallest waves. You could have a longer shaft made but a 54-inch Motorguide or Minnkota electric steer will work far better. Both models also run far longer on a fully charged battery because they have Maximizer circuitry(Minnkota terminology) that most transom mount motors don't have.