Tape measure or other measuring instrument more
See full version: How to Measure the Length of a Trolling Motor Shaft
Tape measure or other measuring instrument more
Record the distance, noting that the length of most trolling motor shafts are in increments of 1 foot (such as 36 inches, 48 inches or 60 inches).
Place the trolling motor on the ground so the shaft faces upward. This should be done on a dry, hard surface. more
Fishermen and others use trolling motors when they want to move quietly around a body of water. While trolling motors can be attached to and used on a wide variety of boats, the size of the boat and the length of the trolling motor shaft, which is the area of the motor between the head and the prop, must be in line. Measuring the length of the trolling motor shaft is necessary before anglers can properly determine which trolling motor fits on their boat. more
Minn Kota Maxxum 55 Hand Control – This is Minn Kota’s bargain offering when it comes to trolling motors, but that does not mean you will be settling by selecting it over other models. While it does not offer features such as remote control, sonar or autopilot it does offer what is most important- dependable, rock-solid performance. Rated for use on boats up to 17ft in length the 55 lbs of thrust will be more than enough to move your 14ft. jon boat swiftly through all conditions you encounter. The heavy-duty spring protected shaft housing, illuminated directional indicator and variable speed motor will get you there and back again season after season. [links]
But, if you are going to purchase a trolling motor for your jon boat you need to find the right one for you, your boat and the environment you boat in. For first time buyers this can be a daunting task, filled with terms & questions they are unfamiliar with. This is where we come in. In the following paragraphs we will educate you concerning common terms you need to be aware of, issues you need to consider, how to measure for the proper fit and even provide some recommendations.
The additional 2+ feet of boat length may not seem like much but these boats are also wider and often include an additional seat, live well or front deck. This means that you will need more thrust, so do not try to recycle the smaller, less powerful trolling motor you had on your kayak, canoe or even shorter jon boat. [links]
Motorguide X3 45FW Digital Hand Control – if you are serious about wanting a trolling motor, but looking for value, then you need to seriously consider the X3. MotorGuide is one of the three big trolling motor manufacturers, so even though you are buying a budget priced model there is no concern over quality. Although advertised as a “no-frills” option, that depends on your definition. The X3 includes many features high level models can only dream of including superior steering, a large diameter corrosion resistant shaft and excellent impact protection. The aircraft-grade, extruded aluminum mounting bracket provides tough, easy to control even at maximum thrust. [links]
Most modern trolling motors include the ability to raise or lower the motor within its mount, to accommodate necessary shaft length, and many include a spring-loaded mount that will swing the motor out of way should it strike an underwater obstruction.
As with most accessories it is important to select the correct size for the boat you will be using it on. In the case of trolling motors even a smaller trolling motor will move a larger than expected jon boat, as they are generally lighter in weight than other designs of the same length. However, it is still recommended that you avoid underpowering your boat as this can result in increased wear and tear as well as reduced life of the motor. here
The next two pictures are of the actual boat I am buying. The Honda motor in these pictures appears to be a short shaft? It was hard to get to the rear of the boat as I am in Michigan, it is in deep snow & pushed against a shed. I have looked on different websites and it seems the rule of thumb is 15-17 inch transom = short shaft while 20-22 inch tranasom = long shaft. They also say 1-2 inches one way or the other wont matter two much is that correct? I tried to get a tape measure on this & it appears that the transom measurement is about 18" (right in between) [links]
Hi All,
I am in the process of buying a 70's model 14 foot Starcraft for fishing. I am trying to decide weather this needs a short or long shaft motor. The first picture(labeled Starcraft Johnson) is the closest resemblence I could find on the internet. This appears to be a long shaft but it looks like the cavitation plate sits a couple of inches belowthe bottom of the boat.
I am buying boat motor & trailer for $600. The owner tells me that the Honda runs good and pushes this boat. He does say it will cavitate a little at high rpm's. Do they make cavitation plates for engines this small if so where do I find them. The price seems to be right at $600. Even if the Honda engine does not run correctly (hard to test in January in Michigan) I have a 1974 15HP Johnson short shaft that I could slap on it. But again this Johnson is also a short shaft. Is a 10- 15 hp engine adequate for this boat? Sorry for the long message, but I'm going to pull this out of the snow tomorrow, and want to have as much info as possible. Thanks in advance. [links]
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Re: Trolling Motor Length for my Bass Tracker. Please Help
Since most have an adjustable shaft length position, it would be prudent to add 6" or so just in case you get in a jam and need more length. [links]
Thrust: You never have enough when you really need it. ditto, ditto. 50 or so lbs is not unrealistic. I'd look for a thrust rating vs a price break. Sometimes you can go up or down a few lbs and save yourself a ton of money and not notice the little difference with respect to what you initially had in mind.