Minn Kota | Riptide SF Bow Mount Trolling Motor | Saltwater | 24V | 80 lb Thrust | 62" Shaft | 1363641

Product Overview

The Minn Kota | Riptide SF Bow Mount Trolling Motor | Saltwater | 24V | 80 lb Thrust | 62" Shaft | 1363641 is an industrial-grade, hand-control saltwater trolling motor engineered to provide rugged reliability and silent stealth for larger coastal watercraft, offshore skiffs, and deep-V bay boats. Built explicitly to thrive in high-salinity marine environments, this motor features the revolutionary **Mono-Arm Mount Design**. Crafted from a single piece of extruded, structural-grade anodized aluminum, the Mono-Arm provides a rock-solid foundation that eliminates metal-on-metal contact and cuts mount torsion by a massive 75%. Combined with a heavy-duty rear pivot bearing that expands contact surface area by 20%, the Riptide SF minimizes wear and tear while completely eliminating the annoying creaks, rattles, and pops common to traditional multi-piece brackets, keeping your vessel perfectly silent when sneaking up on wary gamefish.

Running on an efficient 24-volt DC electrical framework, this motor delivers 80 pounds of continuous thrust, providing the critical torque needed to push mid-sized and large hulls through strong ocean passes, heavy wind drift lines, and breaking swells. This 1363641 model features an extended 62-inch shaft length, making it an exceptional fit for vessels with higher bow deck clearance, ensuring the prop stays deep enough to avoid cavitation in rough chop. Stowing and deploying this motor is effortless thanks to the integrated **Lift-Assist** system, which uses a nitrogen-charged stainless steel gas spring to cut the lift weight in half. Directional control is managed via the ergonomic **Tilt/Extend Tiller** handle, which tilts up 45 degrees and telescopes out 6 inches for maximum comfort. The motor comes fully outfitted with a Quick-Lock cam depth adjuster, a Counter-Tension Stabilizer, a push-to-test battery gauge, urethane-encapsulated electronics, a sacrificial zinc anode, and an aggressive weedless Weedless Wedge 2 prop (MKP-33).

Key Features

• Thrust Capacity: 80 lbs (24V)
• Shaft Length: 62". Tailored specifically for higher-profile bay boats and deep-V hulls, ensuring the lower torpedo unit remains deeply submerged to prevent air-sucking noise in heavy swells.
• Revolutionary Mono-Arm Mount: Constructed from a single piece of extruded, anodized structural aluminum that operates with 75% less torsion and zero metal-on-metal contact for silent, long-lasting durability.
• Nitrogen-Charged Lift-Assist: Integrated stainless steel, nitrogen-charged gas spring cuts the physical weight of stowing and deploying the motor in half, allowing for effortless deck operation.
• Tilt/Extend Ergonomic Tiller: Premium hand-steer handle extends up to 6 inches and tilts up to 45 degrees upward, providing optimal comfort and immediate control from any casting position.
• Counter-Tension Stabilizer (CTS): Utilizes an integrated spring mechanism that applies continuous counter-force whether stowed or deployed, eliminating play, wobble, and steering torque.
• Advanced Saltwater Armor Plating: Marine alloys undergo a multi-step cleaning and zinc dichromate armor plating process before being sealed under a 5-mil TGIC polyester powder coat paint finish.
• Digital Maximizer Power Savings: Regulates current draw dynamically to deliver only as much power as needed, reducing destructive heat and extending battery lifespan up to 5 times on a single charge.

Compatibility Information

The Minn Kota Riptide SF 80lb 62" trolling motor (part number 1363641) is engineered exclusively for bow-mount installations on saltwater and brackish fishing vessels. Its extended 62-inch shaft length is universally compatible with larger fiberglass bay boats, center consoles, and deep-V multi-species aluminum hulls where the distance from the top of the bow deck down to the waterline measures between 22 and 28 inches, maintaining proper propulsion depth in rough chop.

Electrically, this motor runs strictly on a 24-volt DC configuration and requires two high-quality 12V marine deep-cycle batteries (flooded lead-acid, AGM, or lithium) wired together in a series loop. To safeguard the fully encapsulated internal circuitry from overcurrent spikes, the installation must be fitted with a manual-reset 50-amp circuit breaker on the positive power line. This motor interfaces cleanly with Minn Kota's premium quick-release mounting brackets, such as the RTA-19 plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I choose this 62-inch shaft model over the shorter 52-inch shaft version?

You should opt for the 62-inch shaft model if you operate a boat with a high bow profile, such as a large center console or a deep-V aluminum hull, where the deck sits high above the water line. A longer shaft is also highly critical if you frequently fish open, wind-blown coastal bays or ocean passes prone to heavy rolling swells. When the bow of your boat lifts over a large wave, a shorter 52-inch shaft could easily lift out of the water, causing the motor to spin wildly and suck in air (cavitate). The 62-inch shaft keeps the propeller deeply submerged to maintain continuous tracking and stealth.

Is the composite shaft guaranteed not to crack or corrode after years of salt exposure?

Yes, absolutely. The core of every Minn Kota trolling motor is their proprietary, indestructible composite fiberglass shaft. Pound for pound, this specialized composite blend is structurally stronger than high-tensile steel. It is completely non-metallic, meaning it is physically incapable of rusting, pitting, or suffering from galvanic corrosion due to saltwater exposure. Furthermore, when your lower unit strikes a submerged rock or oyster reef, the shaft flexes naturally to absorb the shock before springing back perfectly straight, backed by an exclusive lifetime warranty.

What maintenance should I perform on the Lift-Assist nitrogen spring to keep it smooth?

The Lift-Assist mechanism utilizes a high-grade stainless steel cylinder and a nitrogen-charged gas ram that is fully sealed from the factory to survive damp marine environment settings. It does not require any internal refilling or technical pressure adjustments. To maintain a smooth travel path, simply spray the exterior stainless steel shaft of the gas ram with fresh water along with the rest of your boat after each trip to clear away dried salt film or crust. Applying a light coat of marine-grade silicone lubricant spray to the pivot pins once a season will keep the stow and deploy cycle working effortlessly.

Can I use a single 12V battery with a voltage step-up converter to power this 24V motor?

No, Minn Kota strictly advises against using voltage converters or step-up transformers to drive their 24V trolling motors. Trolling motors draw high continuous amperage (up to 56 amps on this 80lb model) under heavy loads. Step-up converters can cause massive voltage spikes, introduce high electrical noise, and rapidly overheat, which can damage the encapsulated Digital Maximizer control board and void your factory warranty. For safe and reliable operation, always power the motor using a true 24V battery bank consisting of two identical 12V batteries wired in series.

How do the fully encapsulated electronics protect the motor from salt air damage?

Salt air and airborne sodium chloride crystals can easily destroy exposed copper circuitry and solder joints. To prevent this, the internal electronic control boards of the Riptide SF are fully encapsulated and embedded within a thick layer of high-grade marine urethane potting compound. This compound hardens around the circuits, forming an absolute, airtight and watertight seal. Additionally, all external wiring harness connections are insulated with liquid-tight, adhesive-lined heat shrink tubing, completely shielding your electrical components from corrosion.