How long is too long

[DaRangeFinder]

Just wondering what kind of mistake purchasing a bow mount trolling motor with a shaft longer than you need is. How important is it to get the right length shaft or can things be fudged a bit. Looking to purchase a new bow mount on a boat I am restoring just looking for some pointers

[TooTallTom]

For a bow-mount, I think you'd want the shaft to be as long as you can handle when stowed. (Do most motors still come with a locking collar to keep the prop closer to the surface of the water when in shallow, calm waters?) The concern that I'm aware of is the prop coming out of the water when the waves are pushing the bow in the air. Also, it's easier to shorten most things than to lengthen them...

[TurnUpTheFishing]

wait for it....

[Can'tFishEnuf]

The longer the better. You can always use the collar to lift it up.

[Can'tFishEnuf]

Oh man, I just got that.

[TooTallTom]

It took everything I had to give a straight answer...

[tonkapat]

The minnkota pd and terrova can be cut at anytime also. The only issue with the longer shafts is when you run the tm in shallow water and trim it up the motor sits way up in the air and can be in the way. A lot less of an issue to me than a prop spinning in the air.

[PerchJerker]

Just wondering what kind of mistake purchasing a bow mount trolling motor with a shaft longer than you need is.

There's really only 1 problem with being too long, and it has to do with mounting the motor on the boat. You need the head of the trolling motor over the gunnel, so it doesn't stick out and hit dock posts and garage doors and things like that. But the longer it is, the more the shaft will cut across the interior of the boat when aligning it so it's positioned properly when stowed.

As for operating the motor, having it longer than needed doesn't cause any problems, just use the adjustment collar.

[heat checker]

I lopped mine off for said reason, also, the longer shaft wouldn't fit in cover.