What Is Proper Depth Of Transom Mounted Trolling Motor?

[Woodnaut]

How far below the water should a transom mounted trolling motor be positioned? Is it necessary (or preferred) to position it at a depth below the bottom surface of the hull? Thanks for your advice.

 

[Skeeterbait]

Re: What Is Proper Depth Of Transom Mounted Trolling Motor?

Depends on your boat and the conditions you fish. If you mostly only go out on calm days you can get by with the prop closer to the surface. If you are a diehard fisherman and go out when there are rolling swells and white caps, the motor needs to be deeper to keep it from surfacing when the boat rolls over the swells. If you fish shallow water with lots of obstructions like stumps, shallower motor will hit less stuff. Think about how, where, and under what conditions you fish to decide what you need. Keep in mind you can raise a longer shaft motor shallower but you can only make a short shaft motor go so deep.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What Is Proper Depth Of Transom Mounted Trolling Motor?

Most troller manufacturers recommend one foot below the surface. This is especially important with bow mount motors. Stern mounts operating too close to the surface will ventilate as well. Set it below the bottom of the boat just like the outboard is.