shaft length on a 619

[blurangerstu]

I just bought a 2003 619 ranger and am replacing the trolling motor with a new fortrex. It has a 62 inch shaft motor on it now but it seems really long. I was just wondering what anyone else runs on this set up and if I could get away with a 52? Thanks

[csuram99]

62 all the way. I fish a lot in the chop and it's better to be too long than too short. I currently have a 74lb 62" powerdrive/copilot on my 2003 619. I don't like the electronic steer and powerdrive pedal and I need more power and stamina so this spring i'm upgrading to a the cable-steer 62" 101lb fortrex.

I'm curious what your boat has on it now.

[bloodman]

I'd stay with the 62 also. May be too much in most cases but at least its there if you need it. Really sucks when your trolling motor comes out on a wave. Also the Minn kota has a higher mount and some of the length is used for that.:bigsmile:

[blurangerstu]

csuram my boat came with a 62 inch, 74 lbs on it now. The reason I asked the question is because I had a 17 foot Lund Mr. Pike before with a 52 inch motor on it and never really had any problems and this boat seems to sit a little lower to the water. I should maybe have mentioned I fish the Mississippi river mostly.

[csuram99]

I know guys that have 52's that wish they had 60's. Again, better safe than sorry. That fortrex should be perfect for the river. I can't wait to get mine. Lot of money but will be worth it (i'm also going to get universal sonar).

[KLN2 ul]

I upgraded my 619 last winter with a fortrex asking the same question. I went with the 62 because the 52 would chop in the high swells we get here on the river when the wind blows upriver against the current.

The fortrex is tight and eliminates all of the slop the 62 maxxum had. The only drawback to the 62 is the transducer is deeper in the water, giving an incorrect depth on the DF.

[blurangerstu]

the problem with the depth reading can be adjusted on you fish finder I am not totally sure how to do it but there is a window for that

[KLN2 ul]

"the problem with the depth reading can be adjusted on you fish finder I am not totally sure how to do it but there is a window for that"

Thanks, I'll get the manual out and see if it can be adjusted.

[Pezman38]

I know guys that have 52's that wish they had 60's. Again, better safe than sorry. That fortrex should be perfect for the river. I can't wait to get mine. Lot of money but will be worth it (i'm also going to get universal sonar).

Did you consider the Terrova at all?

[blurangerstu]

not on the river I tried an electric steer motor on my first boat I could not return it fast enough. I was fishing in a high currant area on a windy day and all I did was circles. They just dont move fast enough. I only know 1 guy that has one and he loves it but I just think cable steer is the way to go.

[JAK]

not on the river I tried an electric steer motor on my first boat I could not return it fast enough. I was fishing in a high currant area on a windy day and all I did was circles. They just dont move fast enough. I only know 1 guy that has one and he loves it but I just think cable steer is the way to go.

How long ago was it that you tried the eletric steer? In the last 6-7 years the steering has gotten faster/stronger and ... the new Terrova is much faster yet!

I think the longer shaft would be a better choice. I know a long time ago I switched from a 54" to a 60" because the prop would surface in rough water. Now there are times when I wish they made a 70" shaft.

Also, do you have a 36 volt 101 or a 24 volt 80 pound? If the '03 Ranger is set up for the 3 batteries I would strongly suggest going with the 36 volt model in either motor. I have found that control is greatly enhanced on days that before I thought were not too bad to fish. On days that were marginal, I have found that they are still fishable. Sometimes this can be for only 3-4 hours during the day when the wind/waves came up, but I now rarely need to switch locations because of the trolling motor.

[Pezman38]

I used a power drive for a long time and didn't like the speed it would turn. I used the Terrova and all my doubts went out the window.

I would try both out on some demo boats and go with the one you like most.

60+ shaft for sure, reasons in above posts were good