Just bought a Alumacraft Dominator. It has a Min Kota with a 54in shaft and I am going to buy a new Min Kota with i-pilot. How does the 54in shaft do or should I pop for the 60in shaft for $100 more? I want to get this right the first time around and not be thinking coulda shoulda woulda.

I would go with the longer shaft. You can always adjust the depth of that trolling motor so that it can run as shallow as you want. In big water you may need the extra length. I've been in some nasty conditions in our Lund that i'm pretty sure the 54 inch shaft would not have cut it.

That's what I was wondering. I figured if the waves were high it might make the smaller shaft come up out of the water.

Not sure about the length question, but longer is not always better. I have a Deep-V Tracker, with a Double Seat on the front. When fishing off the front, I would NOT like to have something sticking up any further than it NEEDS to be.

I think the 54" is what I have on mine, and it is just right. Sits low as possible, but still sits deep enough in the water to ride some good waves without coming out of the water. The 60" would stick up another 8" causing me to haft to fish around it.

JMO



keith

Unless you fish in less than 3' all the time you can have that 60" all the way down and not stick up anymore than a 54". You try to fish or get caught in a situation in rougher water where you need that motor you will kick yourself for not going 60" on deep v.

yep

Thanks guys. Now my mind is at ease and I can spend the extra $100 and feel good about it. I hate to try to hold on a spot and the waves are making the prop come out of the water. Hard to make the boat be still like that.

I feel you need to figure what you need. Again, lenght is not always good. The stick up is a problem, but just as much being to deep is another. You drop the Trolling head another foot, and now you pull to a brush pile, spin the trolling motor around and blow the fish off the pile. You'll be putting out a 3'-4' diameter push of water at 8'-10' in front of boat. Fishing a 8'-10' Crappie Rod you are always at 8'-10 away from the brush pile your fishing. So now if you have the Trolling Head at 2', you effecting water 5' deep, then add another 8", well I'm just saying comsider everything.

If the waves are high enough to pull my 54" out of the water, it is for sure to rough to be out fish.

Bass Fishing, No Problem. Crappie Fishing, make should your consider everything. The extra sticking up is one problem. The extra in the water is another. Consider Everything...

Not trying to talk you into or out of either. Just that to long is just as big a problem as to short. Make sure you get what you NEED.



keith

I agree with Keith. I have a 54" and if it is coming out of the water, then I will leave! Also, if it sticks up a bunch, when stowed it may prevent you from opening your rod boxes. Mine does this. Very annoying, but more the fault of having a smaller front deck. Another thing is if you ever put in a spider rig setup. You don't want that trolling motor in the way.

I have a Power Drive V2 and it has iPilot on it. I'll sell it to you at a deal. I hate it! Tried to get the wireless foot control and even though the package says in huge letters that it is for the PDV2, it doesn't and never will work with it.
Plus, if you are a crappie guy and figure to fish brush piles with spotlock, you better have some huge piles to fish because the spotlock won't come close to keeping you on them. Try to operate the MK with the handheld wireless remote!!! Try fishing at the same time!!! You better have a third hand is all I can say. I wouldn't give you a nickel for iPilot and the PD mount sucks big time. Want to try one out on a deep V Lund? Come on down for a free test ride.

I have a Lund 1725ss. I have the long shaft and it works perfect. It Is the MK Fortrex. Have fun with your new boat!

Okie
I fished with a guy out of a Lund 18ft deep V a couple weeks ago. It really was not that rough and his 54in i-pilot would occasionally break the surface. It held us in place really well and I was impressed.just thought if I went to the larger shaft on mine it may never break the surface. Our boats are similar in length and bow shape.I loved the ability to just fish and not fight a trolling motor. My son always catches more fish cause I am so busy running a trolling motor!LOL

did you get my P.M. flyboy?

I have a Lowe deep V and put a 60 inch MinnKota Terrova with I-Pilot on it. I fish both for crappie and for sand bass. The spot lock is great for sand bass.....sometimes it is not perfect for brush piles...if they are small. I bought the Terrova with the wired foot control, so I have the best of both worlds.

I love the freedom the remote gives me....in fact much of my trolling is done from the console with the remote so I can look at my better depth finder.

Your boat is much like mine and I think you will want the 60 inch.

Got it BJH