Riptide Instinct QUEST Shaft Length Guide: 60 to 100 Inches
Measure First. Order Once.
Riptide Instinct QUEST Shaft Length Guide: 60 to 100 Inches
Compare the 60-, 72-, 87- and 100-inch Riptide Instinct QUEST by measuring bow height, accounting for rough water and checking deployed and stowed clearance.
Quick shaft-length answer
Measure from the bow mounting surface to the waterline. Minn Kota’s general bow-mount chart points a 28–34-inch measurement toward a 54–60-inch shaft, a 34–52-inch measurement toward a 72–87-inch shaft, and a 52–72-inch measurement toward a 100-inch shaft. Add 5 inches to the measurement for rough-water use, then verify the motor and propeller will remain properly submerged as the bow moves.
Jump to a comparison
How to Measure for a Riptide Instinct QUEST Shaft
Do not select shaft length from overall boat length alone. Two boats of the same length can have very different bow height, mounting position, load distribution and movement in waves. Use a direct bow-to-waterline measurement at the exact mounting location.
- Load the boat realistically. Include fuel, batteries, regular gear and a representative passenger load so the waterline is meaningful.
- Use the mounting surface. Start at the top surface where the Riptide Instinct mount will sit—not at the gunwale, rub rail or deck edge unless that is the actual mount plane.
- Measure vertically to the waterline. Keep the tape vertical and record the distance in inches.
- Add rough-water margin. Minn Kota advises adding 5 inches to the measurement when fishing in rough water.
- Check both operating and stowed positions. Confirm enough depth in the water and enough room on the deck, at the bow and during trailering.
Why submersion matters
Minn Kota recommends sufficient submersion to prevent the propeller from churning air and creating surface agitation. Its shaft guide calls for the motor section to remain at least 12 inches below the water and also describes the propeller tip as needing at least 12 inches of submersion. Use the current installation manual as the final authority for your exact configuration.
Riptide Instinct 60, 72, 87 and 100-Inch Shaft Chart
This table applies Minn Kota’s general bow-mount recommendation ranges to the shaft lengths available in the Riptide Instinct QUEST family. Borderline measurements require judgment about actual wave conditions, boat loading and available trim range.
| Bow-to-waterline measurement | General recommended range | Instinct shaft to evaluate | Best decision check |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28–34 in | 54–60 in | 60 in | Confirm the loaded bow and expected wave rise do not push the effective measurement beyond the range |
| 34–52 in | 72–87 in | 72 or 87 in | Favor the length that preserves submersion in real conditions without creating unnecessary stowed-clearance issues |
| 52–72 in | 100 in | 100 in | Confirm the full 100-inch system can deploy, trim and stow without contacting bow hardware |
Important: Add the manufacturer’s rough-water allowance to your measurement before using the range. If your number sits near a boundary, send the measurement and boat details to Mariners Warehouse before ordering.
Riptide Instinct 60 vs 72-Inch Shaft
The Riptide Instinct 60 vs 72 decision usually appears near the transition between moderate and taller bow installations. A 60-inch shaft is the shortest Instinct option and aligns with Minn Kota’s general 28–34-inch bow-to-waterline band. A 72-inch shaft enters the 72–87-inch recommendation group for 34–52-inch bow-to-waterline measurements.
Choose the 60-inch shaft when:
Your loaded measurement remains within the shorter range after considering operating conditions, and the lower unit stays properly submerged without using the bottom of the available trim travel as a permanent workaround.
Move to the 72-inch shaft when:
Your measurement reaches the taller-bow range, you regularly fish in waves, or the bow’s vertical movement could expose a shorter motor. Recheck deck length and stowed-motor clearance before moving up.
Riptide Instinct 72 vs 87-Inch Shaft
Minn Kota groups 72- and 87-inch shafts within the same broad 34–52-inch bow-to-waterline range. That means the Riptide Instinct 72 vs 87 decision cannot be made from a single chart cell alone. Use where your measurement falls inside the range, then account for the boat’s loaded attitude and the conditions in which you actually use Spot-Lock, Drift Mode and low-speed positioning.
- 72 inches: evaluate when the measured bow height is toward the lower part of the band and operating conditions are relatively controlled.
- 87 inches: evaluate as bow height and vertical movement increase, particularly when maintaining propeller submersion in rolling water is the priority.
- For either length: check where the long shaft sits when stowed and whether the mount can complete Auto Stow & Deploy and Power Trim without obstruction.
Riptide Instinct 87 vs 100-Inch Shaft
The Riptide Instinct 87 vs 100 comparison matters most on very tall-bow offshore boats. An 87-inch shaft sits at the long end of the general 34–52-inch measurement band. The 100-inch shaft corresponds to a 52–72-inch bow-to-waterline measurement and is intended for installations where shorter shafts may lose effective submersion as the bow rises.
Do not choose 100 inches merely because it is the longest option. Confirm that the extra length is necessary and that the full assembly has a clear deployment path and safe stowed footprint. Long-shaft selection must balance water contact with deck layout, bow rails, anchor systems, trailer geometry and dock contact risk.
Five clearance photos that make remote sizing easier
- A side view showing the bow mounting surface and waterline
- A top-down photo of the proposed mounting area
- The anchor roller, windlass and rail from the motor side
- Any hatch that opens into the stowed motor area
- The bow on the trailer if the motor may extend near the winch post or tow vehicle
Why “Buy Long and Cut It Later” Does Not Work Here
Many trolling-motor shafts can be modified by an authorized service center, but Riptide Instinct QUEST is different. Its Auto Stow & Deploy and trim systems tie shaft length to multiple mechanical and electronic components. Minn Kota describes shortening or lengthening an Instinct shaft as cost-prohibitive. Choose the correct factory shaft rather than treating a longer motor as an easily adjustable backup plan.
Riptide Instinct Shaft Length and MPN Reference
After sizing the shaft, match the finish. White and black motors share the same core 24/36V 90/115 lb QUEST platform, but they use different manufacturer part numbers.
| Shaft length | White MPN | Black MPN | Power rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 in | 1358560 | 1358580 | 90 lb at 24V / 115 lb at 36V |
| 72 in | 1358561 | 1358581 | 90 lb at 24V / 115 lb at 36V |
| 87 in | 1358562 | 1358582 | 90 lb at 24V / 115 lb at 36V |
| 100 in | 1358563 | 1358583 | 90 lb at 24V / 115 lb at 36V |
Not every manufacturer configuration is necessarily available in the collection at the same time. Search the exact MPN or contact the team if the required shaft and color are not visible.
Ready to compare the exact shaft configurations?
Shop Riptide Instinct QUEST motors by shaft length and MPN. If your measurement is close to a range boundary, get help before placing the order.
Compare Riptide Instinct Motors Send Us Your MeasurementsFrequently Asked Questions
What Riptide Instinct shaft lengths are available?
The Riptide Instinct QUEST is available with 60-, 72-, 87- and 100-inch shafts.
How do I measure for a Riptide Instinct shaft?
Measure vertically from the intended bow mounting surface to the waterline with the boat realistically loaded. Add the manufacturer’s rough-water allowance when applicable.
Should I choose Riptide Instinct 72 or 87 inches?
Both lengths fall within Minn Kota’s broad 34–52-inch bow-to-waterline recommendation band. Choose using the exact loaded measurement, rough-water margin, expected bow movement and stowed-clearance check.
When is a 100-inch Riptide Instinct appropriate?
Minn Kota’s general chart associates a 100-inch bow-mount shaft with a 52–72-inch bow-to-waterline measurement. Confirm the full system’s deployment and stowage clearances before purchase.
Can Power Trim compensate for a shaft that is too short?
Power Trim helps adjust operating depth, but it does not replace correct shaft sizing. The lower unit still needs reliable submersion as the bow rises and falls.
Can a Riptide Instinct shaft be shortened?
Minn Kota states that shortening or lengthening the Instinct shaft is generally cost-prohibitive because of its integrated Auto Stow & Deploy and trim components.
Technical references: Minn Kota shaft length recommendation guide and Minn Kota shaft specifications.
This guide supports product comparison but does not replace the current installation manual or an inspection of your boat. Specifications and availability may change.