It has a stow/deploy lever release in the base that you have to deploy & the balanced weight of the motor tilts it into the water. I may have no other choice but to live with an extended portion above the bow in order to balance the weight for it to deploy properly. I think that ultimately I will have to measure the height of the bow from the waterline & find out from the manufacturer what the proper size shaft would be required. I's just going to delay ordering it for a few days but at least I would have piece of mind that I get the proper size.

That would be the best way to nail it. I took a few measurements and pictures tonight to hopfully help you out a little. When standing in my forward casting platform the control handle is approximately at my mid abdomen. It is 26 inches from the top of the control handle to the gunnel cap. There is 11" of ss shaft from the lock nut to the bottom of the control handle. There is 40" from the top of the gunnel to the bottom of the lower unit not including the skeg.

strick

Thanks Strick, I looked @ some pics of the boat in the water & took note where the waterline in the pic was. When i went to measure the boat which was on the trailer, it measured 33" from the bow where the motor would be mounted to where the waterline should be. I called Minn Kota with that measurement & they said to add 20" the the waterline measurement so theoretically according to them a 54" would work.
I also asked them about retrieving it back from the water & into the boat & they said to grab hold of the head & pull it straight up & tilt it down on the bow.

I can't find any good deals on ebay for Minn Kota electric motors. Any idea who has the best prices ?

trolling motor bow mount
 

Strick, I have always worried that a bow mounted trolling motor would take a beating when you are out in rough ocean water. How "tightly" is it mounted and does it rattle around when going through rough chop?
HatTrick

Finally got my 80 lb Riptide I Pilot and I'm wondering what size battries to buy. Minn Kota recommands 115 amp/hour minnimum & when I went to look @ battries I was surprized to find that running 115amp/hr battries would require group 31 & they are huge & very heavy .Since I intend to put them in the front fish box of my 18 S F & need two of them , I'm very concerened about the weight.
Does anyone know if the smaller, lighter group 24 battries will work ?

Go with AGM deep cycle batteries. Spend the extra $$$ up front, you will be glad you did.

Wally World's big brother, Sammy Club, has them at a good price. I think they are 27 series, maybe 31. Oh yeah....now you'll really need an on board charger.

I would not worry about the weight it will most likely make your boat ride better. You can put some weight in there first just to see how it will handle.

strick

Looked @ Duracell Grp.31 AGM @ Sam's Club for $166 , can't beat that price with a stick however Minn Kota reccomands 115 amp/hr & the Duracell are only 105amp/hr. Flooded batteries of the same group are 125 amp/hr and cheaper.The question is , are the AGM a better choice over the flooded even though the amp/hr rating is less ?

when I purchased my 23 s/c it had the trim tab trolling motors. The previous owner did some tarpon fishing and used them. I am an offshore guy so I took them off (kept the tabs). They are not cheap but it would fill your need. They are actually pretty neat. I just did not want anything on my boat to upkeep if I was not going to use them on a regular basis.