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Author Topic:   Montauk 170 - Trolling motor shaft length

jim40 posted 03-11-2008 10:55 AM ET (US)
What shaft length length are the 170 owner's using for their trolling motors? I would like to have a hand-operated model if possible. I talked w/Chuck Bennett @ Whaler, and he recomended a 60" length for a hand operated unit. that seems awful long to me, but to have unit comfortably deep in water, and some height above gunnel to operate with...this might be the case. I also looked in the 170 manual and it says the 170 is 3 ft. from the water line at the trolling motor mounting area. Is it really that much? What length would you use for a foot control model? I'm thinking that you could get by with a 50" shaft w/foot control. Please tell me what your experiences are with make, model,shaft length, and anything else I may have forgotten to ask. Thank you in advance for any input. The unit I would like install is a Motor Guide salt water series hand operated, 24 volt, w/50" shaft.
Nauti Tauk posted 03-11-2008 08:10 PM ET (US)
Jim,
I have a MinnKota Riptide on our 170 and it has a48" shaft. Since the "head" of the unit doesn't have to be up so it can be reached the length is fine for anything except boat wakes. a couple of things, a 60" shaft is goingt to come along way back into the boat when in the up position and second, unless you have a need for a 24volt system the 12volt RT55 SP/AP/CP pulls my 170 around very well. Also I'd recommend installing a VSR on whatever you decide on. Just some thoughts. I have pics of my installation if you need them.
BlueMax posted 03-11-2008 09:01 PM ET (US)
I was thinking of getting a trolling motor for my 2007 170 as well. I'm guessing recommended location for mounting a trolling motor is on bow as that is where Whaler installs them but I always pictured it on aft of boat - I looked at the Minn Kota (whatever model) - there was a 12v transon mount model listed at WalMart with a 50 lb thrust rating. Would this be sufficient for the 170 and would it be sufficient for mounting on aft end? Or would I have to put something like a 4-9 Hp 'kicker' on the back end?
Thanks,
Andy
BlueMax posted 03-11-2008 09:04 PM ET (US)
Here is link to what I was considering - any feedback apreciated:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3415668
Thanks Again,
Andy
jim40 posted 03-12-2008 10:12 AM ET (US)
NautiTauk, thank you for your reply. I understand about the 60" shaft coming back real far in the boat, and possibly hang over the side if mounted at an angle in the up position, hence my question in the first place. That is my first concern with the recomendation from the folks at Whaler. I was trying to keep front area as clean as possible from cables, etc. Thats why I am trying to see what it would take for a hand control model. I have always had bass boats in the past and have learned that to troll alot during one day, a 24 volt has staying power over a 12 volt. I'm sure the 12 volt power would be plenty.....it just would'nt last as long without needing a recharge. I might just have to go with a foot control model in order to not have such a log shaft. I plan on installing a front pedistal fishing seat to operate either model from, but was just wanting a hand control model to keep it as simple, and uncluttered as I could in the front bow area. Still open for any ideas and suggestions. Thanks again....Jim
erik selis posted 03-13-2008 04:09 AM ET (US)
Guys,
I have a Minn Kota Maxxum, 55lb Thrust 12V, 42-inch shaft, transom mounted trolling motor on my 170 Montauk. I have been using it for 5 years now. Here are some pictures:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c86/erik069/ 170%20Montauk%20Erik_Holland/DSC00312.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c86/erik069/ 170%20Montauk%20Erik_Holland/MVC-008X1.jpg
http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/motors/detail.asp?pg=ftm_maxxum
I am pleased with it but if I were to do it all over again I would go for a 24V version. The 12V version is ok if there's not too much wind or current. If this is not the case the battery gets drained rather quickly. Also you can use the extra power of a 24V, 70 or 80 lb thrust motor to get where you want to be much faster.
I installed a Minn Kota Vector, 55lb thrust, 12V version on the 1984- Montauk I restored last year and this works fine for this boat. Don't forget it's much lighter than our 170 Montauk.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c86/erik069/ 1984%20Montauk%20Restoration/DSC00928Medium.jpg
http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/motors/detail.asp?pg=ftm_vector3x
The mechanically amplified steering of the Vector is wonderful. You can efficiently back-troll or front-troll with it. I wish it were available 5 years ago but that was not the case.
Finally, one of my fishing buddies just recently bought a 170 Montauk and mounted the 24V, Minn Kota Vector, 80 lb thrust, 42-inch shaft on the transom. It is awesome for this boat. Exactly what you need to have perfect control. I want it! It's definitely worth the extra money and battery. Take it from me.
Erik

BlueMax posted 03-13-2008 11:44 AM ET (US)
Erik,
Thank you for the excellent info and pictures. That will be a great help in my decision making.
Andy

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Author	Topic: Montauk 170 - Trolling motor shaft length
jim40	posted 03-11-2008 10:55 AM ET (US) What shaft length length are the 170 owner's using for their trolling motors? I would like to have a hand-operated model if possible. I talked w/Chuck Bennett @ Whaler, and he recomended a 60" length for a hand operated unit. that seems awful long to me, but to have unit comfortably deep in water, and some height above gunnel to operate with...this might be the case. I also looked in the 170 manual and it says the 170 is 3 ft. from the water line at the trolling motor mounting area. Is it really that much? What length would you use for a foot control model? I'm thinking that you could get by with a 50" shaft w/foot control. Please tell me what your experiences are with make, model,shaft length, and anything else I may have forgotten to ask. Thank you in advance for any input. The unit I would like install is a Motor Guide salt water series hand operated, 24 volt, w/50" shaft.
Nauti Tauk	posted 03-11-2008 08:10 PM ET (US) Jim, I have a MinnKota Riptide on our 170 and it has a48" shaft. Since the "head" of the unit doesn't have to be up so it can be reached the length is fine for anything except boat wakes. a couple of things, a 60" shaft is goingt to come along way back into the boat when in the up position and second, unless you have a need for a 24volt system the 12volt RT55 SP/AP/CP pulls my 170 around very well. Also I'd recommend installing a VSR on whatever you decide on. Just some thoughts. I have pics of my installation if you need them.
BlueMax	posted 03-11-2008 09:01 PM ET (US) I was thinking of getting a trolling motor for my 2007 170 as well. I'm guessing recommended location for mounting a trolling motor is on bow as that is where Whaler installs them but I always pictured it on aft of boat - I looked at the Minn Kota (whatever model) - there was a 12v transon mount model listed at WalMart with a 50 lb thrust rating. Would this be sufficient for the 170 and would it be sufficient for mounting on aft end? Or would I have to put something like a 4-9 Hp 'kicker' on the back end? Thanks, Andy
BlueMax	posted 03-11-2008 09:04 PM ET (US) Here is link to what I was considering - any feedback apreciated: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3415668 Thanks Again, Andy
jim40	posted 03-12-2008 10:12 AM ET (US) NautiTauk, thank you for your reply. I understand about the 60" shaft coming back real far in the boat, and possibly hang over the side if mounted at an angle in the up position, hence my question in the first place. That is my first concern with the recomendation from the folks at Whaler. I was trying to keep front area as clean as possible from cables, etc. Thats why I am trying to see what it would take for a hand control model. I have always had bass boats in the past and have learned that to troll alot during one day, a 24 volt has staying power over a 12 volt. I'm sure the 12 volt power would be plenty.....it just would'nt last as long without needing a recharge. I might just have to go with a foot control model in order to not have such a log shaft. I plan on installing a front pedistal fishing seat to operate either model from, but was just wanting a hand control model to keep it as simple, and uncluttered as I could in the front bow area. Still open for any ideas and suggestions. Thanks again....Jim
erik selis	posted 03-13-2008 04:09 AM ET (US) Guys, I have a Minn Kota Maxxum, 55lb Thrust 12V, 42-inch shaft, transom mounted trolling motor on my 170 Montauk. I have been using it for 5 years now. Here are some pictures: http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c86/erik069/ 170%20Montauk%20Erik_Holland/DSC00312.jpg http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c86/erik069/ 170%20Montauk%20Erik_Holland/MVC-008X1.jpg http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/motors/detail.asp?pg=ftm_maxxum I am pleased with it but if I were to do it all over again I would go for a 24V version. The 12V version is ok if there's not too much wind or current. If this is not the case the battery gets drained rather quickly. Also you can use the extra power of a 24V, 70 or 80 lb thrust motor to get where you want to be much faster. I installed a Minn Kota Vector, 55lb thrust, 12V version on the 1984- Montauk I restored last year and this works fine for this boat. Don't forget it's much lighter than our 170 Montauk. http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c86/erik069/ 1984%20Montauk%20Restoration/DSC00928Medium.jpg http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/motors/detail.asp?pg=ftm_vector3x The mechanically amplified steering of the Vector is wonderful. You can efficiently back-troll or front-troll with it. I wish it were available 5 years ago but that was not the case. Finally, one of my fishing buddies just recently bought a 170 Montauk and mounted the 24V, Minn Kota Vector, 80 lb thrust, 42-inch shaft on the transom. It is awesome for this boat. Exactly what you need to have perfect control. I want it! It's definitely worth the extra money and battery. Take it from me. Erik
BlueMax	posted 03-13-2008 11:44 AM ET (US) Erik, Thank you for the excellent info and pictures. That will be a great help in my decision making. Andy