Transom Trolling Motor Help

sampson2269 · 07-26-2009, 06:17 AM

I just got a new transom trolling motor for my little boat. My question is, how far should the prop be submerged in the water? And is it better to have the prop straight up and down in the water or at and angle?

Wirenut · 07-26-2009, 10:53 AM

To get a good pull of water, you should have the prop below the boat. But setting it too deep will make you more prone to hitting things if you're working shallow cover. A good test is to set it just deep enough that it won't cavitate when you put it on high speed.
As for angle, you wont be picking it onto a plane, so it's not real crucial. A slight trim might make it steer a little easier, just experiment around and see what works best. Again, you don't want it trimmed up so far that it makes your motor cavitate.

xtreme76 · 07-26-2009, 11:30 AM

I think I remember reading at least 9-12" below water line, but on the transom you want it below the boat so if you turn it to far it doesn't catch the boat. I agree trim not critical and straight to slightly trimmed up.

sampson2269 · 07-27-2009, 09:19 PM

Thanks ya i also heard 9 to 12 inches submersed, thanks for the help.

jimbosan · 07-29-2009, 07:55 PM

Just don't put it in too deep it will just increase your chances of hitting a submerged object and it will also create excessive drag.

fishhunter44 · 08-06-2009, 01:54 PM

I believe when they say 9", they're talking about the prop shaft, as well. I just have the boat on the trailer, turn the prop so it's under the boat, and see how much clearance I have. Of course, that only pertains to backtrolling. With forward trolling you may be able to get away with an inch or two shallower.

07-26-2009, 06:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
sampson2269 sampson2269 is Back In Greeley Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, CO Posts: 21 Thanks: 7 Thanked 11 Times in 5 Posts	Transom Trolling Motor Help I just got a new transom trolling motor for my little boat. My question is, how far should the prop be submerged in the water? And is it better to have the prop straight up and down in the water or at and angle?

07-26-2009, 10:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
Wirenut Wirenut is walkin' up to a dog on point Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: At The Water's Edge... Posts: 1,150 Thanks: 7 Thanked 162 Times in 107 Posts	To get a good pull of water, you should have the prop below the boat. But setting it too deep will make you more prone to hitting things if you're working shallow cover. A good test is to set it just deep enough that it won't cavitate when you put it on high speed. As for angle, you wont be picking it onto a plane, so it's not real crucial. A slight trim might make it steer a little easier, just experiment around and see what works best. Again, you don't want it trimmed up so far that it makes your motor cavitate. __________________ Cleaning Trash Fish FromThe Pit, One State Record At A Time

07-27-2009, 09:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
sampson2269 sampson2269 is Back In Greeley Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, CO Posts: 21 Thanks: 7 Thanked 11 Times in 5 Posts	Trolling Thanks ya i also heard 9 to 12 inches submersed, thanks for the help.

07-29-2009, 07:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
jimbosan jimbosan has no status. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Blair, Nebraska Posts: 2,364 Thanks: 292 Thanked 255 Times in 181 Posts	Just don't put it in too deep it will just increase your chances of hitting a submerged object and it will also create excessive drag. __________________ GET EM CLOSE/happiness is a bloody arrow!

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07-26-2009, 11:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
xtreme76 xtreme76 is waiting for april Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Central Ne Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor Posts: 163 Thanks: 81 Thanked 46 Times in 36 Posts	I think I remember reading at least 9-12" below water line, but on the transom you want it below the boat so if you turn it to far it doesn't catch the boat. I agree trim not critical and straight to slightly trimmed up.

08-06-2009, 01:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
fishhunter44 fishhunter44 has no status. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Overton NE Posts: 651 Thanks: 11 Thanked 44 Times in 36 Posts	I believe when they say 9", they're talking about the prop shaft, as well. I just have the boat on the trailer, turn the prop so it's under the boat, and see how much clearance I have. Of course, that only pertains to backtrolling. With forward trolling you may be able to get away with an inch or two shallower.