Video · DIY Builds & Mods

How to Shorten a Trolling Motor Shaft: The Easy Method

I show the easy method I use to cut a long trolling motor shaft down to a short shaft for kayaks and canoes.

Published January 20, 2018 · 4:32 · Watch on YouTube

What’s in this video

Long shaft trolling motors don’t work great on small crafts like kayaks and canoes, so I cut mine down. I remove the head unit, cut the shaft with a pipe cutter style tool, and explain why I’m shortening it.

After the cut you may need to redrill the hole that mounts the speed control head. File or deburr any sharp edges so they don’t damage the wires, and take photos of the wiring before you take the motor apart. DIY at your own risk.

Key moments

  • 0:00 Intro
  • 0:25 Removing Head Unit
  • 0:55 Cutting The Shaft
  • 1:20 Why Im Shortening It

Quick takeaways

  • Photograph the wiring before you take the motor apart.
  • You may need to redrill the hole for the speed control head unit after cutting.
  • Deburr the cut edge so it doesn't chew up the wires.

Gear from this video

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