wrote in message
oups.com...
Not a safe assumption. Be sure you take into account how high the bow
rides
when you're sitting where you normally do, and you've got a typical
amount
of weight, like a full tank of gas, ice chest, etc.

Yes, that is something that I need to check. Unfortunately, this is one
of the sticky point that I need to resolve. The reason is that I plan
to get a trolling motor and a light weight 10hp gas engine for the
first two years of having the boat, and then get a big gas engine a
couple years later (just to spread the cash outflow through out a
couple years instead of all in one year). This means for the first two
years, the stern will be lighter than it will eventually be. Seem like
I need to invite a couple friends over and ask them to sit at the back
of the boat to serve as dead weight

Good idea! And, while docked, have someone who's NOT in the boat measure bow
height with a tape measure. Have a camera ready for when they fall in the
water.


Another thing that Tom can address (because I'm not sure)
is what happens if the bow is bobbing up & down and the
prop assembly leaves the water. Other than losing speed &
control, does it hurt the motor?

I assume this will only happen when the water are not clam such as in
sal****er. But I will likely only use the trolling motor in freshwater
lakes and in good weather. Therefore, I don't think this is a problem.

Jay Chan