Trolling moter Question....

[smallieobsession]

I posted this a while back and didn't get a reply so I thought I'd try it again.

I have a 36lbs thrust minnkota turbo w/a 36in shaft that I want to use on a canoe. I'm concerned that the 36in shaft will be a little too long and awkward on the canoe. Does anybody know if I can just disassemble, cut the shaft down and then reassemble????

[cheesehead]

I've never done it but there is one way to find out. Tak it apart and see what's inside you might have to shorten some wires but if that's all that's inside the shaft you should be able to do it. et us know if it works.

[Fisher Dave]

I know the Dinosaur models of minnkotas were easy to alter .. not sure on the semi-modern ones. I know it is possible, shafts can be bought in all kinds of lenghts... how much work it is, I dont know. I would surf some search engines and see if you can come up with any detailed info, or someone here might be able to explain if its not tough.. I just havent tried.

[Moose-Hunter]

Yes it can be done. IF... The control head (top) is connected to the shaft via a single bolt through the collar located on the bottom half. Start be remove the 4 (?) screws that hold the two halves of the control head together. Carefully split the two sections apart. Due to age they may be a bit "sticky". In about the middle of this assembly, you'll see where the wires for the motor go into the shaft. Follow these wires from the shaft end to the control board. Mark the cables to assure proper reinstallment and remove them from the control board. Remove the single bolt holding the lower half of the control head and lift it off the shaft allowing the wires you removed from the control board the pull through and dangle from the end of the shaft.

Now it's time to cut. Be very, VERY careful not to cut or even nick the wires running on the inside of the shaft. When I did this modification, I used a heavy duty tubing/pipe cutter to insure a nice straight cut and that I was not going to cut the cables. If you do use a saw of some type, mark the whole circumference of the shaft and cut carefully. Depending how much shorter you need the motor to be, you may not have to cut any wiring. I removed close to 10" from one of my "modified" motors and just stuffed the excess wire down the shaft. No problems after 8+ years of use. You will have to drill a new hole for control head bolt. Take your measurements for this hole off the piece you removed. Drill it. Again, be careful not to wind the wires up on the bit. Re-assemble and your back in business.... Just a bit shorter. LOL!!

It's really not that tough once you get into it. If you run into a snag, feel free to drop me an email and we'll get it figured out...

Good luck with your project...