TM Shaft Length

[Ralph Wiggum]

Getting a new trolling motor (Terrova) soon. I've got a 16' Sylvan Backtroller tiller. Is a 48" shaft sufficient, or would I be better off with a 54". My gut tells me 48" should be plenty, but I'd hate to come up short.

Thanks!

[JimBuck]

I'm running a 48" 55lb. minnkota copilot on my 89' 16' Backtroller and it's fine about 90% of the time. When I am running in some major swells or nasty chop (which I rarely do) the motor head can come out of the water with the shaft fully deployed. If you like to fish in some serious conditions, a 54" might be more fitting. Otherwise I'd say the 48" does the trick for nearly all of my applications. Hey Ralph, you have a stereo you added to your boat right? Where did you put your speakers and cd player? How do you like your speaker placement? Cheers.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Where did you put your speakers and cd player? How do you like your speaker placement?

Two speakers on the vertical panel between the main floor and the front deck. Two in the side panels in the rear of the boat, right in front of the battery storage/gas can storage area. Stereo is in the small cut-out area near your left foot as you drive the boat. Seems to work out fine.

[JimBuck]

Thanks Ralph. You'll enjoy those Terrova's. I love the new foot control layout.

[marine_man]

I agree with Jim's sentiments...

The other thing to think about if you opt for the 52" is that you've got 6" more trolling motor shaft in your boat.

marine_man

[Ralph Wiggum]

Went with the 54" shaft. There was not enough difference in price to convince me to settle on a 48" shaft.

The motor looks great! I need to install it this week and then give it a trial run. I like the design much more than the Power Drive that I have grown used to using.