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  1. #1
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    Ultrex on a Cougar - shaft length

    My 2016 Cougar had a 52" Ultrex.

    Am I correct in assuming it would be ok to downsize to the 45" shaft? I know the Cougar sits a little higher above the water than some boats ...
    Last edited by TNReb; 08-02-2019 at 09:28 PM.
    2023 Puma STS

  2. Member
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    Montgomery, TX
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    #2
    As I was told, it all depends on what bodies of water you fish. We fish large reservoirs in TX. I have a 52” on my Cougar and it is perfect. If I fished smaller lakes, a 45” would be fine.

  3. Member
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    #3
    I never fish large bodies of water. I had a 45" Ultrex on my previous boat and it was great. Just making sure there were no issues with the 45" on the Cougar in general.
    2023 Puma STS

  4. Member
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    #4
    If you get the 52” you won’t be able to open your rod locker unless the trolling motor is deployed.

  5. Member
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    Jun 2004
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    Louisville, Ky
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    #5
    Just put a 45” on my cougar and very happy with it. If you fish at least 90% in very rough stuff then maybe the 54”?
    Eric Beaty
    2013 BassCat Cougar FTD
    2013 Mercury 250 ProXS

  6. Member Bill2e's Avatar
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    Apr 2005
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    Fernandina Beach, FL
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    #6
    Never had an issue with a 45 on mine
    Bass Cat Caracal STS / Mercury 300 ProXS
    Jayco Northpoint 377 RLBH
    GMC Denali Ultimate DRW
    #ChargeOn #HereWeGo

  7. Member lpugh's Avatar
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    May 2009
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    #7
    I have fished water rough enough that waves were breaking over the bow in my 03 Cougar with a 45 in shaft while on spot lock. No issues at all except for having to run the bilge pump, I did have to lower it all the way down where I usually have it raised about 6 inches
    If I fished these conditions a lot I would go with the 52 in because when a really big wave would come thru the prop would surface, but was still pulling
    Only once in 3 years have I tested it in this rough of water
    Last edited by lpugh; 08-06-2019 at 12:17 AM.
    Thank You Leon Pugh

  8. Member
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    Jun 2004
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    Chandler, Tx
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    #8
    52/112 on my Cougar and it's never interfered with the rod locker
    and I fish lot of big water lakes down here like Rayburn and Toledo.

    Buddy has 60" on his Jag and it's little too much IMO

  9. Member
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    Fair Play, SC
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    #9
    Hartwell gets pretty rough, haven't had any issues with my 45.
    2016 Bass Cat Cougar FTD
    250 Pro XS

  10. Member
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    Sep 2009
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    Knoxville, TN
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    #10
    Run a 52"/112 on mine for larger lakes especially with a 360 mounted on it.
    2016 Triton 20TRX
    250 Pro XS, #112 MK Ultrex
    PP Blades, Atlas JP, Ionic Lithiums
    Garmin 126 (2) & 1222 with Panoptix


  11. Member
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    #11
    I've put both on Cougars and Pumas. I'm running a 45 on my Puma. Main difference in the two is the mount. The 45 uses a short mount and the 52 uses a long mount. Difference in usable lenght is only 4". -- a 45 is 48" long with a 3" adjustment collar, bringing to 45". A 52 is a true 52, take the 3" collar into consideration and your down to 49". 45 from 49 is only a 4" difference, however the difference in the long mount and short mount is around 6"
    John
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