Outboards designed for saltwater applications usually have longer shafts. (127 mm). Beefier jack plates can be fitted should a boater be looking to mount an outboard with a shorter shaft than their transom demands. I mean it is better to be safe than sorry, am I right? var BCData = {"csrf_token":"d7ecb6b56891bb66aee12dbc01a80162b3ed582c1acbe30f16fc9f1b2abc362f"}; Over time, Boating Hub has grown into a resource for boating enthusiasts around world. For example, you can have the Mercury outboard shaft length by model code. Tilt your motor until the bullet of the gearcase is This exhaust port should be about 1 inch above the water line when the boat is idling. would be more accurate.) If you have an outboard motor, the distance from one end to another will be found on the side or on a label near its bottom. All things considered, sticking with the industry standard is best for the beginner. <>/ExtGState<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 595.2 841.8] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Take your time and understand your boat and your entire transom. Once you know what will fit on your hull, you can fine-tune your choice based on the performance youre looking for and how you use the boat. d.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function (e) { What the relationship to the pontoons is, I couldn't say. your motor will be higher.) It does not store any personal data. The boat transom can be flat with zero degree angles. var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; The outboard comes with mounting holes and brackets. With the outboard shaft length too long, meaning the prop is too deep in the water, the engine wont be as efficient, and the fuel burn is high. https:/. publicId: "32bf3437d1346295e03ebcf545f9c839", When the boat transom is too low, the motor could end up underwater. If the height of the boat transom is off it can cause major issues. An outboard motor can drive just about any sort of boat with proper mounting. mpeSelector: ".pt-mpe", The boater must also consider if the boat transomsupport is designed to bear the weight of a higher mount. I run a 9.9 Mercury Bigfoot 20" shaft off the swim platform of my 89 Trophy 2160. Check out some hot FAQs to help you get the proper outboard shaft lengths. What are Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and Channels? maxAmount: 6500.0, With a jack plate, you can mount it exactly where you want it. It is possible that the motor could hang low while transporting on the boat trailer causing future boat repairs. Any questions? Basically, there are three main ways to measure motor Raising an outboard higher on the transom can reduce drag and raise top speed. Before we start measuring the outboard shaft length, lets get it clear about whats referring to when we talk about the outboard shaft length. With more than a decade of experience cruising the lakes in my Crestliner Grand Cayman pontoon boat and my Boston Whaler, I now want to share everything I've learned with my community here at Boating Hub. The height of the boat transom dictates the size of the outboard motor. straight edge on the top of the transom to "extend" it out As a dealer I don't really like hearing this because there is a chance it could go either way and you have to get it right. The clamp bracket on the latest Mercury Four-Stoke-model outboards has five mounting bolt holes spaced .75 inches apart. Not to measure boat speed, but to gauge the mounting height of the outboard motor on the boat transom. It is where the outboard is mounted, and some boat owners place the name of the boat. I would also recommend finding your maximum horsepower rating which is located on the yellow coast guard tag towards the back of your boat. Boat Transom Heights The Beginners Guide, Buying a boat can be an exciting purchase. In extremes, the engine can have overheating problems if the boat is raised to a point where the water inlets for the cooling system are out of the water. On this type of boat, if you are in doubt, default to the longer-shafted outboard. The propellers will also have trouble reaching the water. Next, measure from your centerline to where the outboard will be mounted on each side. A long shaft engine requires a height of 20 and extra-long shaft engines will need a transom height of 25. This provides seaworthiness and offers maximum protection from large seas. As mentioned above, the operation of the propeller relies on the transom height. #3. This measurement is primarily designed for single motor propulsion. and I'll explain it better, (or point you to someone that can help. want to measure from the transom to the flat part of this bracket, Now that you have a better understanding of boat transom heights its time to take out the ruler and get the perfect measurements. So if you are measuring the outboard shaft length for the powerboat, planing boat, or any boat for which the speed is the priority, take the outboard shaft length 1 to 1.5 (depending on your boat types) shorter than standard would be better. He is also a certified marine technician and the author of a popular text on writing local history. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. PayTomorrow.mpeInit({ function loadScript(script) { If you are running a slower boat, the exact location of the ventilation plate is less important. Here we will guide you in how to get the right boat transom height. endobj With some boats I have a pretty good idea as to what length motor should be hung on them. This could also effect your travelling capabilities on the boat trailer. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. However, you will need an understanding of how the degrees will alter the boats usability. A retired ship captain, Charpentier holds a doctorate in applied ocean science and engineering. How can you figure out what your transom angle is? "brackets". Increased RPM and additional horsepower feed the need for speed. since 1986. The lowest point will likely be directly under your drain plug if youve got one. Some may call it a standard length while others may call it a short or a long shaft. Generally, short shaft outboards are 15 inches, long shaft outboards are 20 inches, and extra-long outboards are 25 inches. Here is a picture that shows you exactly where the outboard motor shaft length stands: Usually the shaft length for outboard motors falls into the following 4 sizes: In practice, you may find the outboard motor shaft length varies among different brands and manufacturers like the Honda,Suzuki, Yamaha, Torqeedo, etc. This number will likely be shorter than that for a single-engine installation since you do not necessarily measure to the point of the keel. s.setAttribute("type", "text/javascript"); We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. A: The answer varies by boat, but here are some rules of thumb for matching a short shaft outboard to your boat. Is my outboard long or short shaft? straight edge from the center of the pad, but this time you're measuring the propshaft below or above the pad. Any owner seeking the last bit of speed from an outboard-powered boat should grab a yard stick. Actual shaft length is 21.5" on those. The transom angle is the vertical incline of the transom and is measured in degrees. The boater must also consider if the boat transom support is designed to bear the weight of a higher mount. No one wants to have issues with a new transom or boat repairs. This will keep the prop in the water when the boat pitches in waves, or hobby-horses. When measuring the transom height, you should start from the hull's bottom at the boat's center line up to the top of the transom. The distance between the ends of a transom is measured in inches. All things considered, sticking with the industry standard is best for the beginner. Some fishing boats can handle the motor being underwater. Other boats that need extra long shafts are: Read my other articles on outboard motors. A big NO. Safely but briskly accelerate. Then finally test your outboard, if the mount is perfect. s.setAttribute("src", script); The transom is the "back wall" of your boat, the most rearward part of your hull. Add the two measurements and you get 6 1/2". If you have a fast boat, getting the outboards cavitation plate at the same level of the hull will ensure quick hole shot and fast top-end speeds. And thats usually the case since the electric outboards are designed with larger and more efficient propeller that needs longer shaft. To achieve 35 mph with a 6 hp engine, the total weight is 135 lbs (boat motor fuel passengers). Place the point of a yardstick at the middle of the top of the boat transom. }) } }); })(document); As a yacht designer and boater, I prefer longer shafts. enableMoreInfoLink: true, The first order of business is to measure your boat for the ideal fit. Higher mounting decisions should be left to the professionals. Copyright 2017 Dealer Spike All Rights Reserved. parallel with the straight edge. There is a simple test to see if your outboard motor is set at the best height. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Propshaft in Follow Westshore Marine & Leisure on Twitter! (function () { Take your time and understand your boat and your entire transom. Recommended Engine Oil 2-Stroke Outboard Motor Oil. relation to pad function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} When it gets to the short side (14), When the inner corner of the square comes into touch with the transom, measure the distance between the inside corner of the square and the boat bottom (see drawing below). Be sure to measure carefully and research thoroughly before diving in. Your goal is to measure how the outboard will sit, so start from the clamping plate and follow the centerline of the hull. All boats are different, and the motor manufacturers produce a variety of standard lengths. bassboat can be a bit confusing at times; hopefully this will help sort <> The propellers will also have trouble reaching the water. Extra-extra long shafts are 30-inches long. A transom saver, which can change the spacing between the lower unit and the trailer, negates some of the support. This transom saver will support the weight of your outboard throughout your road travel, steadily bracing it against the trailer frame to relieve your transom of the weight and impact from consistent bouncing. Add yours in the comment and Ill get back to you asap. to where the brackets were actually resting on the transom. Which Navigation Lights Does Your Boat Need? I live for the weekends when I can go out on the water and escape the stress of life on land. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Take the center measurement from the top to the bottom of the hull. Boats with extended transoms, brackets that extend the mounting bracket for the outboard motor behind the back of the boat, can use a higher outboard height. Among them will be first-timers or those who have recently purchased their boats. resting on the transom if you had the motor all the way down on the boat Mounting the outboard a little bit lower than the standard point could avoid the possible ventilation and slip on acceleration. Youll also want to pay attention when youre in shallow water because your prop will be lower than normal. This illustration depicts four different outboard mounting height options (courtesy Mercury Marine). The motor is what powers the boat so the two go hand-in-hand. They operate as a planing surface, allowing your boat to climb to the top more quickly. All rights reserved. endobj The collapsing bubbles are loaded with extremely low-pressure water vapor, which causes damage to a variety of surfaces as they collapse. This placement is not only recommended but it will give you the best performance compared to something that is too long or too short.
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