Shaft length for 17' Old Town Canoe?

Scootar

Recruit
Joined
Dec 11, 2003
Messages
2
I have a 17" Old Town sport canoe (squareback). The transom measures 18" top to bottom. The manufacturer reccomends a long shaft. A friend runs a short shaft on the same boat and states the short is best due to more bottom clearance while in rivers. I will be buying new and am perplexed as to which one I should buy. I will be using the boat in rivers and lakes. Thanks in advance. :confused:
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: Shaft length for 17' Old Town Canoe?

You're kinda in between the 15 and 20" shaft range, but I think for your purpose, you could get by with the 15, especially with some weight in the back of the boat. If it works on one boat, it should work on the other! Then again, you can always raise a long shaft, but it's more difficult to lengthen a short shaft.
 

spete

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 27, 2003
Messages
168
Re: Shaft length for 17' Old Town Canoe?

Just a suggestion ... sell the canoe and buy a small jon boat with motor. I've attempted to navigate/fish out of a motorized canoe and it's very sketchy. Maybe you could get a few bucks for the canoe and not be out too much for the jon boat combo...
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Shaft length for 17' Old Town Canoe?

Get a long shaft engine with shallow water drive, Scootar. Best of both options.<br /><br />Good luck. :)
 
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