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Trolling MotorShaft Length Guide

A shorter shaft is usually the best choice. It costs less, takes up less deck space, and is easier to stow and deploy.

However, choosing a shaft that is too short can reduce performance in rough water, heavy chop, and boat wakes.

Find the boat type closest to yours below to see our typical recommendation.

Salt Marsh micro skiff on shallow water

Micro Skiffs & Technical Poling Skiffs

Micro Skiffs & Technical Poling Skiffs
Micro skiffs and technical poling skiffs are lower-profile boats that usually do best with the shortest shaft that stays reliably submerged. Extra shaft length is typically unnecessary on these hulls because they do not need the additional clearance that taller bows require.

Recommended Models We Stock

For most micro skiffs, a shaft in the 36″–54″ range keeps weight, cost, and deck space to a minimum while staying reliably submerged.

Action Craft flats boat on shallow water

Flats Boats & Skiffs

Flats Boats & Skiffs
Slightly taller bow than a technical skiff but still designed for shallow-water fishing. Most boats in this category perform best with a shaft in the 48″–60″ range, depending on bow height and typical conditions.

Recommended Models We Stock

For most flats boats and skiffs, a shaft in the 48″–54″ range provides excellent shallow-water performance while keeping the trolling motor low-profile and easy to manage. The 48″, 52″, and 54″ options listed below will all perform well depending on your boat’s bow height and setup.

Pathfinder 2200 bay boat on shallow water

Standard Bay Boats

Standard Bay Boats
Standard bay boats such as Pathfinder, ShearWater, Ranger, Skeeter, Scout, and similar models typically have a higher bow than flats skiffs and are commonly used in both shallow water and open bays. For most boats in this class, the 60-inch range is the best fit for performance, clearance, and rough-water capability.

Recommended Models We Stock

For most standard bay boats, the 60-inch range is the best fit, giving the right balance of shallow-water performance, clearance, and rough-water capability.

Sheaffer bay boat on open water

Large Bay Boats

Large Bay Boats
Larger bay boats such as Sheaffer, larger Pathfinders, Avenger, Gause, and similar high-freeboard models are commonly used in open bays, coastal waters, and rougher conditions. Because of their taller bows and higher freeboard, these boats typically require longer shaft lengths to keep the trolling motor submerged and performing properly.

Recommended Models We Stock

For larger bay boats, the 72–75 inch range is usually the better fit, especially for boats with higher bows or more offshore use.

Key West offshore center console on open water

Offshore Center Consoles

Offshore Center Consoles
Offshore center consoles such as Key West, Sea Hunt, Sailfish, Wellcraft, Grady-White, and similar models typically require the longest shaft lengths due to their high bows, deeper hulls, and frequent use in rough offshore conditions. Extra shaft length helps keep the trolling motor submerged and performing properly when running Spot-Lock and GPS anchoring in waves.

Recommended Models We Stock

For most offshore center consoles, a shaft in the 84″–90″ range provides excellent GPS anchoring performance while remaining practical for everyday use. Boats with unusually high bows or specialized offshore setups may benefit from longer shafts within the ranges available from each manufacturer.

Want the technical method?

How manufacturers measure

Minn Kota (Johnson Outdoors) and Garmin both recommend measuring from the bow mounting surface down to the top of the water. Load the boat normally and trim the outboard all the way down before measuring.

Rough-water adjustments

  • +5″ — Minn Kota rough-water allowance
  • +8″ — Garmin regular waves / chop

Minn Kota requires the center of the motor section submerged at least 12″. If between two sizes, choose the longer shaft only when the shorter one won't stay submerged in your typical conditions.

Minn Kota bow-mount chart

Bow to waterlineShaft length
0″–10″36″
16″–22″42″–45″
22″–28″48″–52″
28″–34″54″–60″
34″–52″72″–87″
52″–72″100″

Garmin Kraken shaft ranges

Bow to waterlineShaft length
0″–19″48″
15″–34″63″
26″–46″75″
38″–61″90″
53″–81″110″

Power-Pole MOVE positioning

MOVE PV (36″–72″) — flats, bay, and multispecies boats. MOVE Offshore (84″, 96″, 110″) — largest boats and big seas.

Sources

  1. Minn Kota Selection Guide
  2. Garmin Trolling Motor Guide
  3. Power-Pole MOVE

Still Not Sure?

Text us a photo of your boat and we'll recommend the right setup.

813-330-0468