trolling motor shaft

[dairyman]

Has anyone cut down the length of their trolling motor shaft??

I've got an older model that I did that to----I bent the shaft and had no choice. I'm looking to buy a new one but the shaft size of the models that I'm looking at are too long for my liking---enduramax 45.

[Fish Head]

I guess it depends on the boat you have, but in general I feel the longer the better. I have a 60" shaft and at times I wish it were even longer.

[Fowlmouth]

When its gets real wavy and you get some rollers on the the lake a longer shaft is needed

[Capt. H (Ret.)]

The problem will probably be that the wires on the old shaft will be too short. I bent a metal trolling motor shaft many years ago and took it to a muffler shop who were able to straighten it at very low cost.

[20lbSloughShark]

I've never actually tried, but is it possible to just cut a longer one to the length you want?

[h8go4s]

He wants a shorter shaft, not a longer one. Why, I don't know. Anything's possible, but if you have to ask, you might not be inventive enough to do it yourself.

[Cicada]

I'll ask at work today. We are a MinnKota authorized service center.

[dairyman]

My main concern would be how much room I would have in the head to store the excess wire that would result when I cut the shaft down. I run a 14 ft boat and the extended length of the trolling motor right along side of my evenrude would be a pain

When I had to cut down my present one it was a real treat trying to pack the excess back into the head,that and the fact I've gotten used to the shorter shaft now

[Sandmannd]

Why cut it down? You can adjust the motor up to raise and lower the motor all you want. Wouldn't that be the best way to go?

[jentz]

The older Minnkotas were easy to shorten these new ones need special glue,Then which ever end you cut the socket the tube fits into needs drilled out to almost exact diameter to reinsert the shaft with glue.A minnkota service guy should have the glue and drill press with the bit made just for that application.It can be done at home,the drilling is the tough part.

[EBass]

I hear ya Dairyman. I have a 14' boat to and had to long of shaft before. Listened to my buddy - never again. Any ways, I had a 52" shaft on the maxxum and I always raised it. Then it would get in the way and I'd smack my lures on it when casting.

I got a new Fortrex with 45" shaft and that's still a bit long, but it's way better than what I had. I still raise it, but it's not in the way as much. I hope that made sense Sandmannd as why he wants to shorten the shaft.

I asked the Motor Clinic about shortening the shaft but I had a built in ducer so there wasn't enough room to wrap all the extra wire. Thus I went with the Fortrex eventually. Glad I did though.

Good luck

[Cicada]

Talked to the guy at work that works on them. He didn't think there would be any problems in shortening the shaft. Remove the head, be careful to not cut the wires, take off what you would like, put the head back on and drill the new screw holes for the head on side at a time so you don't damage the wires and replace head. If this is on a new motor, it may void any warranty on it.

[jentz]

Cicada, the problem there is the composit shaft is not held on with a screw like the motors from 6-8 or more years ago, when they had the metal shafts and screws attaching them to the head and motor case.These shafts are glued together like PVC plumbing pipe.The conposites take a special glue.Then to clear their seat where they go into the head or motor socket, the old shaft that was glued into that socket has to be bored out with a drill bit to accept a new female pipe end just like PVC pipe with male/female fittings shaft.