Shortening trolling motor shaft

[wily]

Minn kota endura...bow mount.  I would like to cut about 8 inch off shaft...it's a plastic shaft.  any body ever done it?  Any tips?

[fishinwrench]

If it is a 2 piece shaft (foot controlled unit) then Nope it can't be done. Not reasonably anyway.

If it is a hand control (single piece shaft) then it's no problem, whack away.

[wily]

Bummer...not what I wanted to hear but thank you wrench...you're the man

[wily]

Can you order a shorter shaft and install head unit and motor to it? 

My problem is that the wire to the foot control unit is too short...sounds crazy but on the duck boat...the deck is small and I want to screw down the foot control in the middle...as close to the front as possible...and run wire to battery in back...only run one battery.

Way it is setup now...two batteries...and tm battery in front hatch...and foot control isn't bolted down...if I move battery to back...and run the wire...I don't want the foot control to move

Sounds stupid but it's a problem

[fishinwrench]

I think I understand your situation.   In all reality though 12v TM's are a heck of a bargain, especially the Endura series.  Rather than spend the money on a new shaft and go through all that hassle I'd just buy a new short shaft unit and call it a day.   Or even better.... Upgrade to a wireless unit for less than 200 more, and kiss the whole foot control cable/harness issue goodbye for good.  That way you can operate the TM from anywhere in the boat with either a remote foot pedal, or a key fob controller clipped to your belt or on a lanyard around your neck.  

I had a Motorguide 12v wireless on a flyfishing flats boat I rigged and that thing was sweet !

[wily]

Maybe if I had your money...a new one would cost 500 plus...

There isn't a plug...it's just wired direct to battery...maybe if I ran a plug I wouldn't mind the foot contrl moving around...but I don't like the idea of it moving

Might move the one off my other boat...onto the duck boat...I know it has a shorter shaft.  It's a motor guide, but honestly i haven't measured to see if that would help

Don't really need trolling motor to duck hunt...but plan to let 16 year old fish out of it next summer when I'm not around.

[wily]

It's not endura...that's what my little transom mount is...it's an edge...sorry

[fishinwrench]

Same thing/different year.

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, wily said:

Maybe if I had your money...a new one would cost 500 plus...

Oh I bet you've got more money to piss away than I do.  Shitimbroke!

A new set of shafts and bearings is gonna be well over a Benjamin, and it's a 4 hour ordeal for ME, and I've done well over a dozen of them.  What's your time worth?    Then 2 weeks after you swap the shafts you know darn well you'll break a cable or fry that tired speed switch or motherboard.  Then where are ya? 

Trust me, I'm giving you solid advise.  

[wily]

Thanks for the advice...i appreciate it...I'm leaving it the way it is...and run 2 batteries.

I know I've pissed away my fair share...hope I didn't on this latest purchase.  The boat seems good but trailer isn't much.  If you run across a good trailer for a 14 foot jon boat holler