quick trolling motor question

General Boats and Motors
1

Guys,
I have a 19 ft bay boat and want to get a trolling motor for it. Most of my fishing will be inshore of course, but occasionally heading to the nearshore reefs on good flat days. Question is, do I need the 60-in. shaft trolling motor, or will the 54-in. do? If money were no object, then of course I would get the 60 but…
Thanks.

2

Let me clarify one thing. I will be getting an 80-lb thrust motor.

3
quote:
Originally posted by OccamsRaiser

If money were no object, then of course I would get the 60 but…
Thanks.

its only $10 or $15 difference
measure from bow to waterline and add 8 inches. this is the length you need.

4

I have the 54" on my flats boat. Like JMH said, if your bow is very high off the water you may want to go with the 60". Else you will be bending over to run it.
You need to look at how it will sit folded up on the deck too, the 60 may stick out too far.

18’ Hewes Bayfisher/115 4 Stroke Yamaha/6’Powerpole, etc

5

It’s $10, get the 60".

“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson

Wilderness Ride 115

6

Geez, I feel like an idiot. I must have been looking at the 36volt with 60-in. shaft. It’s a couple hundred more. I was wondering why 6 in. more was that much! I’ll do the measure from bow to waterline +8 and see. Thanks guys.

7

Go with the 60" it will be easier to run… If you get the shorter shaft and have to lower it down it will be so low to the deck it will be hard to reach… Especially if you stand on a cooler or platform to operate it. I have a 22’ bay and the 60 is the way to go.

2007 Scout 221 150 Yamaha 4 stroke

8

I’m getting the Ipilot version so I assume I will be operating it with a remote, but I’m 6’2" so I don’t want to be stooping a lot either. If the 60 doesn’t seem to be too big I guess I will get that one. Goob got me thinking about how it will lie on the deck. Anyone have a photo of a mounted 60 they could post or PM me? I would much appreciate it.

9

Not the best picture but here’s mine…

2007 Scout 221 150 Yamaha 4 stroke

10

Thanks. Doesn’t look like that one hangs over the bow. I was looking at my boat last night. I’ll just need to measure to see if it (a 60-in.) would interfere with the port side storage box.

11

when there is wind bouncing you up and down you’ll wish you had the longer shaft

12

Bay boat should be good with 54" for $20 or less go with the 60" to be safe. I have a 19’ bay boat with a 54" shaft and I have had no issue to date.

My 2 cents

13

I have the iPilot 80lb. I cannot remember the length but I can post a pic. Here are some things to consider:

  • you can control the motor from anywhere in the boat. Including the stern. With your weight in the back the bow rises and so does the motor. The 54" May come out of the water depending how it’s set

  • I have a 18 ft NauticStar. During the moon tide I wish I had the 101 lb

  • your wiring needs to be done correctly. Gauge and connections. The digital technology is very sensative. The control motor will act weird if wiring is faulty

  • buy an extra control to keep in your boat. I can’t tell you how many times I had to return to the boat ramp to get mine out of the truck. If you used foot control all of your life it’s hard to make the transition to digital…at least for me anyway.

Hope this helps

14

Good advice guys. Thanks. Hope to pull the trigger soon and will update.