View Full Version : Trolling motor help!
Recently bought an 1987 16ft Smokercraft. It didn't come with a trolling motor so finally yesterday I made the order through Bass Pro. I got the Maxxum 74 with a 52" shaft. Is this going to be long enough for most applications, river, and lake fishing. I hear all these guys getting the 60+" and that just seems to be to much for a 16 footer, am I on the right track with the 52" or should I upgrade to the 60", thanks for your help.
No it won't be long enough in rough water and may cavitate on calm water running on high. Last year I lengthened my shaft to 54-inches when I upgraded from a jon-boat to a Lund Angler. Am still regretting not going to 60-inches. Hope this helps.
Jake
Fishbitten
08-16-2001, 08:19 AM
Depends on profile of the boat. I feel this will proably do the job,if the water is that rough to pull the prop out you proably would be using a gas motor anyway.
I have a 50 PD model Minn-Kota (power drive) with the regular shaft, 50"(?), on my Alumacraft Tournament Pro. I have plenty of length in rough conditions, but I guess it wouldn't hurt if I had a bit longer shaft. You should be ok with 52".