How do you measure shaft length on a trolling motor?
7 min read
Asked by: Mary Rodriguez
Measure down from the mounting surface of the transom or bow to the water level. Add 5″ to waterline measurement for fishing in rough water. Add 12″ to waterline measurement for steering a hand control motor while standing. Use this measurement and the tables below to find the appropriate trolling motor shaft length.
How do you determine shaft length?
From the transom to the keel. The way that we do that is we take out just a standard tape measure or a yardstick you measure from the transom all the way down to the keel transom to the keel.
How long of a shaft does my trolling motor need?
Measuring for your Correct Shaft Length
Measure from the mounting surface of the transom or bow where the motor will be mounted to the top of the water and add 20″ to get the recommended minimum shaft length. If you will be fishing in rough water, add an additional 5″ to the measurement.
Can your trolling motor shaft be too long?
A trolling motor shaft can be too long. If the trolling motor shaft is too long, you risk the propeller hitting bottom or the inability to stow the motor properly. Too long of a shaft can not only damage the propeller but also the rest of the motor and the environment beneath the water as well.
How far below the boat should a trolling motor be?
about 12-18 inches
A trolling motor’s ideal propeller should be at a depth that keeps about 6 inches of water above the blades. In other words, the centerline of the motor and the prop shaft should be about 12-18 inches below the waterline, depending on the make, model and dimensions of the trolling motor.
How is driveshaft length measured?
How to Measure a Driveshaft with a Slip Yoke and U-joint
- Place one end of the tape measure near the middle of the front u-joint.
- Place the other end of the tape measure near the middle of the rear u-joint.
- Note the measurement on the tape measure to determine the length of the driveshaft (without the slip yoke).
Apr 20, 2022
How do I know if my outboard is long or short shaft?
Measure from the top of your transom to the bottom of your keel. If it is from 15″ to 17″ long you’ll need to get a Tohatsu outboard with a “short” shaft. If it is from 20″ to 22″ long you’ll need our “long” shaft outboard.
How far below the hull should the prop be?
If you have a short shaft motor, the top most part of the transom and the lower most part of the boat should be about 15 to 16 inches. For a long shaft, I think 20 to 21 inches is correct.
Can a trolling motor be too deep?
The short answer is, yes. The motor will run just as well out of water as if it were submerged. However, there’s no reason to run a trolling motor out of the water. Doing so will waste the battery and may cause damage to the motor.
Can you adjust shaft length Minn Kota?
We recommend having the shaft shortened at an Authorized Service Center. If your motor is under warranty and you shorten the shaft yourself, it will void your warranty. If the shaft is shortened at an Authorized Service Center, it will not void your Minn Kota warranty.
How do you measure the length of a Minn Kota trolling motor?
Measure down from the mounting surface of the transom or bow to the water level. Add 5″ to waterline measurement for fishing in rough water. Add 12″ to waterline measurement for steering a hand control motor while standing. Use this measurement and the tables below to find the appropriate trolling motor shaft length.
How do I increase the speed of my trolling motor?
The best way that I have always found to increase the speed of a motor is to increase the power of the motor by removing the current motor and installing one that has more power with a larger size and larger pitch prop. Bottom line – a motor only has so much power and spin a propellor only so fast.
Can you test a trolling motor out of water?
While it might be convenient to test your trolling motor out of the water, it’s not safe for very long. The motors require water to cool them. Without that, they can overheat extremely quickly. Most anglers won’t run an electric trolling motor outside of the water for any more than a minute and that is extreme.
Can I test trolling motor with car battery?
Will my car battery work for my trolling motor? No, car batteries are not recommended and can ruin your motor.
What is the strongest trolling motor?
The most powerful electric trolling motor is made by Minn Kota. and is available in several configurations, including the Minn Kota Ultrex and Minn Kota Terrova detailed above. The 36-volt motor boasts an unparalleled 112 pounds of thrust.
Can you test a 24v trolling motor on 12v?
It wont hurt your motor. Most newer ones will not even turn over because the circuit board senses less than 22 volts (dead 24v system). Old ones will turn over but you will have half power.
What is the highest thrust 12 volt trolling motor?
Trolling motors are offered in 12V, 12/24V, 24V and 36V versions, with the most powerful ones offering more than 100lb. of thrust, powerful enough to move heavy vessels such as pontoon boats. Maximum thrusts at different voltages are approximately 12V/55lb. and 24V/80lb.
What happens if you run a 12 volt trolling motor on 24 volts?
Essentially, you have a 12 volt motor. If you try to run it on 24 volts, you will burn it up.
Can you run a 24 volt trolling motor on one battery?
While it is not recommended and depending on the model of motor, you can run a 24-volt motor off of a 12-volt battery. For a cable steer or hand-controlled model this will not hurt the motor, but it will considerably affect the performance of the motor.
Do I need two batteries for a 24V trolling motor?
While small and medium trolling motors use a single 12v marine battery, larger trolling motors use larger 24v and 36v systems, and require 2 or 3 marine batteries, accordingly.
Can I run a 36V trolling motor on 12v?
Whereas if you are using an electric steer motor, then lower volts won’t be a good idea to use for the same. Therefore, its not suggested to run a 36V trolling motor on 24V or the 24V trolling motor on 12V as it will burn up.
How many batteries do I need for a 24V trolling motor?
2 12-Volt
If you have a 24-Volt motor, you can use 2 12-Volt batteries in series or a single 24-Volt battery and if you have a 36-Volt motor you can use 3 12-Volt batteries in series.
Can you use a dual purpose battery for a trolling motor?
Dual Purpose Batteries
A dual-purpose marine battery provides enough power to start the engine and turn it over, while also providing enough energy to keep your trolling motor running consistently. As the name implies, dual-purpose batteries can be used for both purposes.
Can you use a lithium battery for a trolling motor?
Yes, you can use a lithium battery for a trolling motor, but you need to make sure that the output voltage of the lithium battery does not exceed the voltage required by your trolling motor.
What size battery do I need for a 80 lb thrust trolling motor?
For trolling motors use, we recommend a battery with AT LEAST a 100 amperage hour rating, a Group 27 rating and 175 minutes of Reserve Capacity (RC).
Can a solar panel charge a trolling motor battery?
Yes, it is possible to attach a small 12v or 24v solar panel to your trolling motor battery pack. A small 6-watt to 12-watt panel can, in most situations, keep an already fully charged battery pack maintained while you are not using them. BatteryStuff.com carries low wattage solar panels meant for this purpose.
What does RC mean on a battery?
Reserve capacity
Reserve capacity (RC) – helps to power your vehicle’s electrical system if the alternator fails. It identifies how many minutes the battery can supply ample power without falling below the minimum voltage needed to run your vehicle.
