Transom mnt on the bow of a 17+ foot boat?

[sidechoke67]

Is anyone using a transom mount trolling motor on the bow of a 17' (or bigger) boat? I have read a few posts on this board from people who turned a transom mnt handle around to mount on the bow. 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". Anyone know (or care to guess) if this will be long enough to mount on the bow for a 17' open bow boat? My boat is a '01 Glastron 175.

I'll measure the distance 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!