Knew that would get ya

Question: I am looking at buying a new TM. Is there a standard for determining how long of a shaft to purchase? My boat is a 96 Stratos. Currently, it has an old Johnson TM with what appears to be a 42 in shaft. Would a 45in be too long? Is there a guideline to go by?

And I was all ready to tell you to ask your wife!

I don't think that small of a change is going to make too much difference. Look at your current motor in the up/stored position. Try to get a mental picture of that 3" sticking out past where the head of the motor is now.

I use a longer 52" model due to the rougher water I fish in. Keeps the prop head in the water. They're quickly adjustable if you run shallow, and don't get in the way. 42-45" is standard for bass boats.

I believe mine is 45". I wish I would have went with the 52" for the reasons JFrancho mentioned. If you dont fish rough water there is no need for the 52 on a bass boat unless you have some type of crazy built bow.

Mine is 45'' and I do not fish rough waters. Only one time have I ever wished it were longer, and I wouldn't take my boat back there! LOL

Jeff

Fishing on Lake St. Clair is exactly why I was thinking of the longer model. Although I have been lucky)smart) to not be in rough water out there, even after moderate boat traffic out there with larger vessels I have had the prop lift out of the water a few times.

Fishing on Lake St. Clair is exactly why I was thinking of the longer model. Although I have been lucky)smart) to not be in rough water out there, even after moderate boat traffic out there with larger vessels I have had the prop lift out of the water a few times.

You sir, are lucky. 2 yrs ago I was fishing out by the fire cracker and a storm rolled in. My T motor seemed to spend more time out of the water then in.

Part is going to depend on how high the bow is. Get one too long and you have to raise the motor up so high in shallow water, the head gets in the way casting. Get one too short, and as mentioned, it will spend more time out of the water than in fishing white capped water or an are where you get lots of wakes. I like to be able to stick the motor three feet deep with the head all the way down. This will handle all but the roughest water and keep the head at a reasonable height in shallow water.

Thanks everyone

I believe I will go with a 45" shaft. I don't fish many tourneys anymore and if the weather gets too rough I will be using the big motor to head to the ramp. Not a big fan of fishing in a storm anymore.

When I first started working at BPS they taught us a formula. If I remember correctly it was top of hull cap to the water plus 18 inches. This is probably a minimum lenght........................Al

Mines like 145,074 feet. Yeah.