Hopefully this is the right sub for the question. I've had a custom boat on order for a couple months and i'm getting it this week. 1854, 21" sides, semi v bow with a trolling motor bracket. Pretty standard, but i've opted to buy and install the trolling motor myself. Need a saltwater model for fishing the coast. The Minnkota riptide powerdrive 24v 70lb thrust seems like it's gonna do what I want, but I can only get it in a 54" shaft which seems excessively long for one of these mud boats.

What length shaft are y'all running?

If it’s hand controlled I don’t think that’s long. I believe that’s the length I have and it’s just right.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

If it's too long for you, they are SUPER easy to cut down and make shorter.

55 LBS is plenty, though.

in a chop u will need the length. and as stated before, u can get it cut down easy. I had the 60'' shaft and loved it.

If it’s hand controlled stay with the 54”. If you go to foot controlled , 45” is more than enough for a boat with 21” sides.

Yep, buy long and cut it to what you want. I fought a 12v 55# for years and went to a 24v 80# now and won't ever go back. The length of time you can go on a 24v system pays for itself versus a 12v. You're making a good move there. Plus, my boat sees lots of heavy veggies and the 80# will power through it.

As for saltwater edition, I would not waste the money, I've used the freshwater in salt for years and they last just as long. Plus they're not white hahaha

Motorguide X5 tournament foot control and don't look back. Can't break it.

I have run both the 42” and 45” minnkota foot controlled models. Both have been plenty long enough. This last go around the 42” was all I could get my hands on quick locally so I got it.