bow mount trolling motor

[mrpike1973]

how do i know what shaft length i need for a bow mount and how much thrust 14' aluminum boat that weighs #400 and the motor #125 thanks

[Igor Drackenwolf]

Here's a handy guide for shaft length...

http://www.trollingmotors.net/trolling-motor-shaft-guide

[Igor Drackenwolf]

And here's a handy guide for thrust....

http://www.trollingmotors.net/trolling-motor-thrust-guide

[Twins Guy]

You will probably get a variety of answers to these questions but in order to determine shaft length I would suggest getting your boat in the water and measuring the distance from the top of the bow deck to the water (ideally with someone of comparable size in the back of the boat to help balance the load). for my 14' DEEP V aluminum (which loaded including my main motor probably weighs closer to 900# not including humans) I followed the trolling motor manufacturers recs and went with a 54" shaft. I chose a 55# thrust and it moves the boat around well-topping out at maybe 4mph.

hth

tg

[mrpike1973]

thanks guys looking at a hand control one 45# thrust with 45 inch shaft my boat weighs 900# including my wife and me think it will work or no thanks guys good info here

[Down Deep]

I would go in the 50 to 60# range because the extra power really helps with the wind starts blowing.

[Gus]

36# pulls my 16' side console Lund Pike D with a 50hp around the lake all day just fine.

[walleyeking19]

I would lean towards getting something in the 50 or 60 lbs range rather than saving a few bucks and getting a less powerful one. Once that wind starts blowing you'll drain your battery real quick if you have to keep it on high the whole time

[Fred_Bear]

FWIW, I have an old 14' red lund that fully loaded with my wife and I weighs maybe 1000 lb... sounds comparable to your boat. With a 36 lb thrust bow mount the slowest I can go without a driftsock is .4-.6 mph depending on conditions and 100% power gets it up to 3.0 mph on flat water. 25%-35% will get me 1.0 mph depending on conditions.

I don't know what the shaft length is, but the 36 lb thrust is perfect for my boat... plenty of power.

[mrpike1973]

i believe i may pull the trigger on the hand control one i have a transom mount now. is the bow mount much better or no the bad will be i have to move the battery or leave it in the rear but it would cast about $40 just for wire and if i did that what gauge would i need. happy with the transom mount now but is the grass greener on the other side plus i'll have to move my depth finder up front thanks for the help guys

[FshBloodRiverMud]

I have a 60" 24V 70# on my 16' boat. Overkill??? NOPE.

When the waves are huge, my prop is still in the water and that makes casting wind blown shorelines possible.

[fishnowworknever]

Trolling Motor is one item you want to go bigger than you think. You want the power/thrust and extra length shaft when you need it.

[RuKiddingMe]

I have a 60" 24V 70# on my 16' boat. Overkill??? NOPE.

When the waves are huge, my prop is still in the water and that makes casting wind blown shorelines possible.

Nailed it right there. I'd rather have my prop in the water in the waves. Like the Lindners always say - max out the trolling motor, nobody has ever wished they had less trolling motor.

[mrpike1973]

after looking real close i think i'm going to wait. the one i really need is over $400. way to much for me. going to stick with my transom but thanks so much for the help

[mrpike1973]

well i found a used bow mount it works great i moved the battery to the front now its a little harder for me to load i would like it in the back but it would take 17 feet of battery cable i think i would lose a lot of power from that any suggestions thanks

[fishnowworknever]

Running cables the full length of the boat is no problem, make sure you use the correct gauge wire and you'll be fine.

[FshBloodRiverMud]

8 gauge

[Slab_Supper]

6 gauge.

[mrpike1973]

after a little study i'm so confused on this if i buy 6 or 8 gauge its about $1.50 a foot at 16 feet 2 times = 48 bucks plus do i need a fuse or breaker i've used trolling motors for years never used a breaker. i think i might leave it up front and just suffer a little. its not terrible getting it on the trailer. just a little harder for me thanks guys i'm just so confused. 1 says leave it up front next guy put it in the rear almost a ford chevy thing.

[h8go4s]

A breaker will prevent burning up the motor windings if the prop gets stopped by weeds or line wrapped around it. Yes, you need a breaker.

Conflicting opinions on an internet forum? I'm so surprised.

[mrpike1973]

what size breaker would i need 45# thrust motor thanks

[CaptainMusky]

I believe peak amp draw for that motor is around 45 amps. So just over peak amps would be necessary.