looking to purchase minnkota

Post by **Boosterman** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 11:00 am

I have been using my trolling plate for the last few years and I like it alot but I think it's time to try an electric motor. Im looking at buying the minnkota powerdrive v2 bowmount. Now the questions I have is. How do you determine what shaft lenght ya need and also what amount of thrust you need to get the job done. Obviously if I can buy the 40lbs thrust one and it does the job then thats the one I'm getting because of price. But at the same I don't want to buy the wrong thing and be stuck with something I don't use. Thanks in advance for your replies

Post by **Troller** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 11:22 am

Hello, I have and bow mount min-kota 50lb thrust with an adjustable shaft. This trolling motor moves my boat very well. I also have a foot petal with a cable long enough that I can contol the trolling motor from anywhere in my boat. This unit moves my boat very well. My boat is around 1500 lbs. I find this saves me money on gas consumpton priovided I keep the battery charged up. I find the adjustable shaft is good for shallow water. Anyway good luck. From my experience you will not regret this move.

Cheers,
Dave

Post by **Troller** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 11:23 am

Hello, I have and bow mount min-kota 50lb thrust with an adjustable shaft. This trolling motor moves my boat very well. I also have a foot petal with a cable long enough that I can contol the trolling motor from anywhere in my boat. This unit moves my boat very well. My boat is around 1500 lbs. I find this saves me money on gas consumpton priovided I keep the battery charged up. I find the adjustable shaft is good for shallow water. Anyway good luck. From my experience you will not regret this move.

Cheers,
Dave

Post by **bluelightguy** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:13 pm

hey Boosterman,
in terms of shaft lenth grab a minnkota catolog and you should find how to measure for shaft length and reccomended lbs of thrust for your application.
i used their guide for my application and couldn't be happier with the results.

goodluck
bluelightguy

Post by **Boosterman** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 10:58 am

Thanks for for your help they had the same guide on there website. There telling me to go with a 55pound thrust motor. I guess that is what I need.

Post by **Boomjack** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 1:34 pm

Boosterman,

The best "extra" I bought for my Minn Kota was the "remote". I still have the foot pedal and can use it if need be, but having a tiny little wristwatch sized remote on my wrist to guide the trolling motor is a lot like Heaven.

Others may disagree, but for me, this has made a huge difference in my enjoyment on the water. I can move around the boat (not a large boat by any means, just a 17.6 Princecraft Fish N Ski) without having to move the foot pedal around with me. I also find it is much easier to change speed and stick to the contour lines of structure.

Just my two cents,

Post by **1lastcast** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:27 pm

I have a motorguide 55lb wireless on my 18ft legend. It moves the boat along well.

In terms of the shaft length. Longer is better. you can always adjust the prop to run at the best depth. You dont want the prop to come out of the water on a winding day. A simple way to messure would be to have the boat in the water and run a tape messure down to the water line. Then select a shaft that will give you some room to run say 1 - 2 feet under the water.

I would look into a wireless model also. I love mine when trolling for walleye. I can sit behind the wheel and control the boat or run 4 lines from the back and also steer from there. The motorguide comes with a wireless hand held remote also. this is nice to clip onto your pants and control the boat at all times. Like when your busy helping your buddy un hook a fish.

Good luck with your purchase.

Post by **xRED** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 7:53 pm

MotorGuide suggests measuring from the bow where you plan to attach the motor to the water and adding 24 inches or two feet.

I'n my case my bow is 36" plus 24 =60"