Puma and Trolling Motor

This topic has 9 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 11 months ago by CC.

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July 13, 2012 at 6:48 pm #265109

CC
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I have a 2008 Puma with a foot control 80 lb Minn Kota Maxxum (42 inch shaft). I fish a lot of main lake water at Amistad, Falcon, etc–big lakes where it gets rough. I am tired of my trolling motor prop coming out of the water. So, I would like to move up to a 52-inch shaft, but I am not sure my port-side rod locker lid will be able to open if I buy a new trolling motor. So do any of you have a 52-inch shaft on your trolling motor, and can you tell me if your rod box wont be blocked by the trolling motor head when the trolling motor is stowed.Also, I am leaning toward a 101 lb Fortex, so it would be great to hear from anyone with one of those.

July 13, 2012 at 6:58 pm #265110

richstadler
Participant

Nope, it will not open. That is one of my biggest beefs against Bass Cat.

July 13, 2012 at 7:28 pm #265111

CC
Participant

Wow. Ill add it to my list.Rich, I pulled up your avatar pic and it looks like you have a Fortrex on the front of your Puma. What shaft length do you have–I assume the 45? I wonder if I can swing the trolling motor mount out a little so that the box will open? I would have to drill new holes, but I basically cant hold my boat on deep main lake spots right now unless the wind is blowing less than 15 mph–and that is pretty rare here in Tejas.

July 13, 2012 at 7:32 pm #265112

kent7351
Participant

Huh, never knew about that issue before… Interesting post.

July 13, 2012 at 7:59 pm #265113

rlb8s
Participant

Im curious on why a longer shaft would prevent you from opening your rod locker. Wouldnt the head of the motor be in the same location relative the rod locker? Isnt the purpose of the longer shaft to allow the prop to be deeper in the water so the extra length would not be toward the locker when stowed but toward the bow? What am I missing?

July 13, 2012 at 8:29 pm #265114

milt
Participant

rlb8s- Im with you on that one. Whats up with that?

July 13, 2012 at 8:41 pm #265115

CC
Participant

The entire mount sits back further. The foot of the trolling motor still rests at the very forward edge of the mount–and the forward edge of the mount sits at the very front of the bow. This means that the added length of the trolling motor is positioned toward the rear (the motor cant be mounted any further forward). Because the trolling motor head is more toward the rear, it gets in the way of the rod box opening when the trolling motor is stowed.Last edited by CC on July 13th, 2012, 8:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.

July 13, 2012 at 9:01 pm #265116

Sheff
Participant

I have a 52″ Fortrex on a 2010 Puma and have not had any problems. Yes the lid does hit the head when the TM is stowed, but it opens far enough (75-80%) to do whatever I need. rlb8s can tell you at the end of a day of practice Ill have around 15-18 rods out. I put them away very easily. Youll love the extra length on the TM shaft. When I order my next Puma itll have a 52″ shaft as well.Dave Sheffield

July 13, 2012 at 9:01 pm #265117

kent7351
Participant

I wonder if thats why some other brand models put the rod storage in the center now days.On the water it wouldnt be so bad but pre-tournament organization gets a little tricky I guess.Maybe placing your main rods in the stbd side would be an option and just keep the back up rods in the port side.

July 13, 2012 at 9:16 pm #265118

CC
Participant

Sheff, thanks. I assume the lid is only hitting when the trolling motor is stowed. When you are on the water and the TM is deployed, the lid opens fully???
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