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Posts: 238
| What is the best way to measure the shaft lenght needed for a boat!! I have a 14' mirrocraft! I am new to buying bow mount trolling motors, I dont want to run into a problem if it to short or to long!! Any advice is needed!! Thanks Tony |
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Posts: 131
| go to minnkota's website.they have a "chart" somwhere on there that will tell you what you need to know.it is also in their catalog. |
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Posts: 300
Location: Minocqua, WI | Tony, with my old boat, you should have about 2-feet of clearance from the top of the front navigation light, to where the bottom of the bow would be in water.
Since that isn't a very deep boat, I think you'd be just fine with at least a 36-inch shaft (42" should just about be right). But measure first beforehand, while boat is on trailer - measure from the bow to the ground (that's what I was told to do for getting the best estimate).
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | I would get a 50 inch shaft. Never so short. |
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Posts: 2091
Location: Stevens Point, WI | I agree that you do not want to get stuck with a short shaft (no pun intended). You will really appreciate the longer one on very windy days. |
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Posts: 238
| Thanks a lot you guys for the feedback!! I will check it out!! Tony |
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Posts: 75
| Good information from the other posts. If you measure the distance from the top of the boat to the ground make sure the boat is level.
You want to make sure that when you ae using the motor the prop is going to be in the water at all times.
As a wave moves the front of the boat up, it can raise the motor out of the water. When this happens the prop justs spins in the air. (like slick tires on ice)
If you are not sure of the size, go longer on the shaft.
Once you determine the brand of motor you want the money spent on more power and a longer shaft is money well spent when compared to the next size down. The few extra dollars does make a difference in this case. |
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Posts: 238
| From the top of the boat to my garage floor is 50 inches and from the garage floor to the very bottom of the boat is 27 inches sitting on the trler!! So I'am thinking that a 50" shaft should work fine in the waves!! What do you think, any more thoughts will help!! Thanks Tony |
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Posts: 2091
Location: Stevens Point, WI | I would imagine a 50" would be sufficient on a 14' boat. I have a 60" on my 17' Tuffy Deep V and this is more than adequate. |
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Posts: 5874
| I agree with Medic. I think you'd be ok with a 48" or there about. I had a 54" on my Lund Angler SS, and that was just about perfect. Only in the heaviest waves did I lose the prop, and that didn't happen often. |
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Posts: 238
| Thanks again, I'am going with a 50' shaft!! Tony |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that your boat will track/'run' better with more shaft in the water. I like having the extra long shaft when needed(I run a 60" on my big boat and a custom on my esox mag style). While 52" is definately overkill on my river boat, and often sticking high in the air(which can be a pain too, don't get me wrong) when in very shallow water, it is nice having that motor down all the way when in heavy current and wherever I don't feel I am going to hit something with it. Further, you can always have the shaft custom shortened to your exact specs. I know it is a pain, but alot cheaper than if you wanted to get a longer one after installing the shorter. |
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| way better to have it too long than too short..go with a 54"
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