42 or 36 Inch Shaft

[Bruce Edward Litton]

Eleven years ago, I bought a Minn Kota Endura 55 C2 transom mount with a 42-inch shaft. I used it chiefly for my squareback canoe, but it was very useful when I often rented a heavy 14 or 15-foot fiberglass boat with a 9.9 gas motor that didn't push it very fast. Rather than use the gas outboard to position, I used my electric, sometimes from a standing position when the longer shaft length really came into its own. And though I recognize now, having looked online, that I need no more than 36 inches, if even that, for the 16-foot canoe (wide and stable) let alone not so much thrust, all those years using the big electric never bothered me. True, I recognize now that the odd slow sensation I felt when the shaft loosened and worked its way down so the motor head positioned at the transom, I recognize that sensation was drag and you don't want that. But I never had any problem in the shallows. If water was really shallow, I just positioned the prop high. Reaching up for the handle was a little awkward, but I wasn't always in water that shallow. I'm trying to decide if my next electric should be 36 inches as advice online tells me it should be...except for the rented boat. (And 55 pounds thrust is good for the rental, too.) Do any of you have experience with a squareback powered by an electric? What length shaft did you go with and why? Has anyone done what I did? Gone for the maximum because it gives him an extra advantage in other situations like rentals...while on the squareback you own it really seems to present no problem for you? Or maybe you once owned a 42-incher and now feel happier with 36? 

[A-Jay]

I have an Old Town square back canoe.

I use a 50lb 36 inch Minn Kota.

Works for well for me. 

A-Jay

[airshot]

Never heard of anyone complaining about there shaft being to long but have heard many complain there shaft is to short !!!  I know how that sounds, but it is true !!

[Way2slow]

I've complained many times about a shaft being too long on the bow when you have to pull it up so a couple of feet of it is in the way.  However, at the same time, about all I've ever seen a 36" shaft good for is a small jon boat.  These is nothing worse than trying to work points and such when boat wakes and wind are keeping your TM popping out of the water every few seconds.  Even on the transom, you don't want a shaft so short it hits the bottom of the boat is you turn it all the way around.   So, over the years, I have learned it there is a compromise, it's better to be toward the long side the the short side.

 

[WIGuide]

If what you've done for the past decade is working and you have no problems with it, there's really no reason to change. Since there's a possibility of using it on multiple boats the 42" will have you covered on all of them. 

[Bankc]

What I'd do is measure where the motor attaches to the stern down to the bottom of the keel.  Typically on kayaks and canoes, you want the top of the motor just below the bottom of the boat.  That'll ensure it doesn't come out of the water, and keep it as shallow as needed for optimum performance.  A-Jay's picture shows the motor in the right spot.  

 

However, if you're going to be using it for the rental boats as well, then you might want to go for the longer shaft.  You can always lift a shaft that's too long up and keep it in place with the collar.  But you can't easily extend a shaft that's too short.  

[Bruce Edward Litton]

Thanks for the replies. They really help. Imagine having confidence in something while sitting in a vacuum. Doesn't happen.