TM Length for R82 Sport

[Rhetor]

I have a 1997 Ranger R82 Sport.

Time for a new trolling motor on this new to me boat.

I am planning on an 80 lb Minn Kota with iPilot .... Shaft length help is my issue.

Is a 60" shaft too long? Is a 45" shaft too short for an R82?

[Rip Bass]

A 45 will be fine unless you fish waters with a lot of really big waves,then go with a 60.

[Rhetor]

KY Lake and Lake Cumberland in KY, but not in thunderstorms. Plan to try fishing lake Erie a couple of times a year.

[buster502]

KY Lake and Lake Cumberland in KY, but not in thunderstorms. Plan to try fishing lake Erie a couple of times a year.

thats a 17'10 boat i would be really careful on kentucky lake in very much wind,it will bite a 21 boat

[Whiteboat]

45" is perfect. Anything longer will be a PIA to install or fish around

[Rhetor]

45" is perfect. Anything longer will be a PIA to install or fish around

Very helpful. Thx

[jc2bg]

thats a 17'10 boat i would be really careful on kentucky lake in very much wind,it will bite a 21 boat

That goes double for Erie. In that hull, when you go to Erie it had better be calm, and you’d better come in before the tuna boats get running (around noon). 45 inch is just fine in anything up to 2-footers. A 60 would be sticking up at knee height when in shallower water.

[Lu Bedevia]

I Have my dads old 60" that he had on his Lund. (Minn Kota Maxuum) and it is to big. I think a 52" would be perfect. I fish a lot of lakes with Wake board Boats and sea walls and a 45" would be to short. IMO.

[KandKKustomz]

45 will serve you well

[BassinR83]

45" is perfect. Anything longer will be a PIA to install or fish around

I agree

[Rhetor]

Then 45" it will be. Thank you.