My buddy just bought this boat and is looking to install a trolling motor. Found a good used tm but the shaft length is 54 inch. Do you guys think 54 inch is enough for this boat? Thanks

Put the boat in the water, put a board on the deck where the TM will be mounted, sticking out over the water. Measure the distance to the water, then come back with that info and ask the question again.
Also, with that bow rail, how does he plan to deploy a TM if he mounts one on the deck? I'm not familiar with how this is done on this style boat.

For that boat a 60” would be more suitable if you want it to reach the water. Also the bow rail will have to be removed

Working at a hospital during this time, I am pretty busy and wont be able to get on his boat again anytime soon to do the measuring. But my boat slip neighbor has the same style nose and whoever installed it for him, cut the front bend of that rail for clearance and put some rubber caps on the cut ends. I agree with the 60 inch as well. Was just wondering if a 54 would work since he found a good deal on one. Ill let him know to pass on this and wait for atleast a 60 inch shaft. Thanks for both of your responses.

Here ya go...

https://www.minnkotamotors.com/support/faqs/how-do-i-select-shaft-length

That guide does not always work. Depends on the trolling motor. I have a 92 Champion 201. It is 20" from the deck to the water in calm water with two people on the boat, one on each end of the boat. Guide say I need a 42-45" shaft.

I bought an Ulterra 45" and the prop will come out of the water in any kind of moderate chop. Reason is because there is really only 37" of usable shaft length on an Ulterra. Minn Kota should let you know that before you spend $2K on the motor, BUT, I should have checked it out before I dropped the $2K. I should have bought the 60". Love the motor otherwise. It does not come in a 52" for some stupid reason.

Wayne

A lot of the larger bass boats do best with a 52" if they are going to be in chop of any significance. That boat will ride even higher off the water, so I'd bet 60" won't end up being "too much". Be careful though. That 60" motor is going to come a long way back toward the console when it's up. Measure to be sure, and be prepared for that. Measure one in a store if you can, or get someone here to provide overall length for a 60" TM.

Yep - it's just a guide. Always better to measure first.

With that said - I have a 1988 184 Champion. For over 20 yrs I ran it with a 36 inch shaft Motor Guide Brute. Fished several big Tx lakes with 2 fishermen in the boat with it and never recall really wishing it had a longer trolling motor shaft. But - as a rule I don't fish in 3+ ft rollers either :-)

I replaced the old MG with a MK Terrova and then an Ultrex - both 45 inch shafts. I considered a 52 in. shaft for the Ultrex but went with the 45. No regrets and no problems fishing two in the boat. A 52 would have really stuck out a lot past the edge of the gunnel when TM laid down - the 45 in does some but not much.