(function (d) { motor brackets Some boats are equipped with transom-hung outboards while others have a bracket. Yes, if there is adequate space while the engine is tilted in the up position, a larger shaft length than what is specified may be used. So in hopes that this will help out some new boaters this spring, here's a little rundown on outboard shaft sizes and how to figure out which one you actually need. This measurement was approximately 4". The height of the transom is estimated by using the center line to measure from the bottom of the hull to the top of the transom. Smaller inflatables and dinghies needshort shaft motors, whilst bigger boats require long or, in some circumstances, extreme long shaft versions. The transom angle is the vertical incline of the transom and is measured in degrees. function mpeInit() { Doing so, will put the propeller right below the boat. Industry standards dictate that for short shaft engines the transom height should be 15. var xmlHttp = new XMLHttpRequest(); To do so, take a measurement from the very top to the very bottom of the transom in the precise center. Depending on the manufacturer, size names might change. The point where these measurements intersect is your centerline. Other factors to consider when determining the mounting height of an outboard are related to performance. Well, raising the outboard motor can be an easy task for you. You xmlHttp.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'application/json'); To do so, take a measurement from the very top to the very bottom of the transom in the precise center. Which Navigation Lights Does Your Boat Need? There are a series of four to six holes at the top of the bracket, and the lower bolts actually fit into slots. As you can see, the measurement is about 2 1/2". maxMicroAmount: 0.0, You can find your Mercury outboard model code on an ID plate or sticker. Any owner seeking the last bit of speed from an outboard-powered boat should grab a yard stick. 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. 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. The prop will be in cleaner, harder water as it advances farther aft, making it more efficient. To make the yard stick long enough to measure the length of all the clubs, tape the ruler to the top. Your goal is to measure how the outboard will sit, so start from the clamping plate and follow the centerline of the hull. When trimming your motor, they provide you a greater bow response. Attention: Remember to measure the outboard shaft length straight up and down instead of measuring along the transom. A2: Instead of changing to the short outboard shaft, you can try the Jack Plate first. Place the rulers end on the ground behind the club and let the club to rest on top of it. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The correct shaft length for your boat depends on a few factors. Later in the article is an image that shows you exactly where to measure. The performance of these boats depends on quite a lot of factors, but getting the outboard length just right is an essential first step. In addition, motor totes will not harm the finish of the lower unit. }) } }); })(document); Owners of bass boats, RIBs, or offshore fishing boats need to get this right. document.getElementById('cloakd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5').innerHTML = ''; You run the risk of possibly unsafe handling if you attempt to put a long shaft engine on a transom designed for a short shaft engine. A: Any boat that has a 21 to 27 inch aft transom will need an extra long shaft outboard. No one wants to have issues with a new transom or boat repairs. Take the center measurement from the top to the bottom of the hull. The propellers will also have trouble reaching the water. However, with the outboard shaft length too short, meaning the prop is too close to the surface, the engine is likely to ventilate and therefore slip on acceleration or lose power. When the boattransom is too low, the motor could end up underwater. since 1986. The height of the transom is calculated by measuring from the bottom of the hull to the top of the transom, using the center line. 2019s List of the Best Recreational Pontoon Boats for Sale. Tightening Torque for Engine. With a jack plate, you can mount it exactly where you want it. With this in mind, how can I determine if my outboard has a short or long shaft? Charles Plueddeman is Boats.com's outboard, trailer, and PWC expert. mpeSelector: ".pt-mpe", If your boat is newer and the manufacturer is still in business, you might also want to try to give them a call. An inch or two probably wont make a big difference, but any more than that will lead to trouble. The general guideline for longer shaft outboards is that the transom height should be at least 20 inches (50,8cm) above the waterline. Move the bracket as close to the center of the transom as possible while still maintaining clearance to allow the main outboard or rudder to reach its full range of motion without contacting the kicker motor. %PDF-1.7 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. Before we get started lets see what a boat transom is and what it does. xmlHttp.send('{"store_id":"369079","timezone_offset":"-5","timestamp":"2023-03-04T05:39:31.71020200Z","visit_id":"e2642be3-34e5-4a48-b89d-639d139834e0","channel_id":1}'); With it comes a lot of responsibility and new things to learn including, Why your boat transom needs to be the right height, The pros and cons of properly mounting the outboard motor to the transom, Standard mounting is always best for the beginner, Of course, its always best to go with standard practices when choosing the, Lower mounting is not for the beginning boater, Mounting the motor lower on the boat transom, There is a simple test to see if your outboard motor is set at the best height. There are 2 steps to help get a relatively accurate figure. While this is the case there is certain saltwater motors that are extra extra long at 30 and 35 shaft. A1: Broadly speaking, the outboard motor shaft length for pontoon boat, bass boat, or other larger boats should be long shaft. Over time, Boating Hub has grown into a resource for boating enthusiasts around world. will be to the flat part; if you measure to the bottom of the brackets Basically, there are three main ways to measure motor mpeInit(); Other boats that need long shafts are. His works have appeared in regional newspapers in North Dakota and in "North Dakota Horizons" and "Cowboys and Indians" magazines. Remanufactured 4 Cylinder 4-Stroke Cylinder Heads, Remanufactured 6 Cylinder 4-Stroke Cylinder Heads, Trim Relays, Trim Solenoids & Sending Units, Remanufactured V6 & V8 4-Stroke Cylinder Heads, Volvo Cobra SX Bearings and Bearing Carriers, Volvo Cobra SX Driveshaft, U-Joints & Parts, Volvo Cobra SX Transom Assembly & Bellows. your motor will be higher.) Other boats that need extra long shafts are: Read my other articles on outboard motors. #1: Height Your goal is to measure how the outboard will sit, so start from the clamping plate and follow the centerline of the hull. Recommended Engine Oil 2-Stroke Outboard Motor Oil. Now that you have a better understanding of boat transom heights its time to take out the ruler and get the perfect measurements. It is extremely important that the boater understands the significance of the transom's height. If you decide to make adjustments, please consult a marine engine dealer about the boat design. Oftentimes you will want to adjust the outboard shaft length in order to improve the boat performance such as speed. Ill also explain the difference between short and long shafts and how they vary by type of boat. So its easier and safer to communicate with the dealer with the exact measurement of outboard shaft length in order to get the right model. and I'll explain it better, (or point you to someone that can help. straight edge from the center of the pad, but this time you're measuring 3 0 obj Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. <> brackets. Step 2: After you get the transom height, add the radius of the propeller (check the user manual, and then technical drawing for the number) to calculate the minimum shaft length needed to make it work. hulls, such as Allisons, Bullets, Strokers, etc., this measurement could As with anything, there are exceptions to the rule. This distance is very important to the performance of you boat. The vertical distance between the interior of the clamp and the cavitation plate is the shaft length specified by the outboard manufacturer. As mentioned above, the operation of the propeller relies on the transom height. The anti-cavitation plate above the prop needs to be within an inch of the bottom of the transom, therefore, the prop should be well below the transom. It varies between different motors and boats. Generally, the anti-ventilation plate on most engines is aligned with the bottom of the vessel. Follow Westshore Marine & Leisure on Twitter! var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; You may wonder how deep your prop should be in the water. This is the dimension you'll need to know when deciding between a short shaft, long shaft or extra long shaft for your outboard motor. Here we will guide you in how to get the right boat transom height. Lubrication System Engine Oil Mixed Gasoline. Higher mounting decisions should be left to the professionals. Most transom savers can support up to a 150HP motor, which is sufficient for most regular boats. }, 100); This will ensure the best performance. If you have a short shaft motor, the distance between the top of the transom and the bottom of the boat should be between 15 and 16 inches. s.setAttribute("rel", "stylesheet"); Always weigh the risks of making adjustments. stream 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. If you go too short your more than likely going to cavitate and loose power. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Shaft lengths are available in increments of 5. Copyright 2017 Dealer Spike All Rights Reserved. To sum up, there is a simple calculator of the shaft length for outboard motors: Outboard Shaft Length = Transom Height +/- Factors. However, the motor should not be raised more than 5 inches above the standard position. Beyond motorboats designed for large outboards, you will see outboards hanging on the sterns of everything from small canoes to large cruising sailboats. If you have a small boat with a 15 to 17 inch aft transom, youll most likely need a short shaft outboard. (1) Multiply the overall length of your boat (in feet) by it's widest beam at the stern (excluding any Fins and or Shear) (2) Locate that value on the left hand vertical column of the chart below. The transom angle is the vertical incline of the transom and is measured in degrees. Using your existing control box and gauges will save you quite a bit of money in the end. The propellers will also have trouble reaching the water. All you need to do is measure how much to rise. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Lastly, knowing the year of your motor and what style of controls you have (side mount, concealed side mount, or binnacle) is also a plus because it will tell the dealer if your current controls are compatible with the motor you are purchasing. Problems with getting the ventilation plate too low include slower hole-shot and lower top-end speeds. High powered boats usually only come in long and extra-long variants. If your boat planes, pay extra attention to getting the shaft length as close to perfect as possible. He is also a certified marine technician and the author of a popular text on writing local history. A hydrofoil will typically level off the ride by driving the stern up and the bow down, and will stop or considerably minimize porposing on a 16 footer with a mid-sized outboard and no tabs, for example. I mean, who wants to purchase something as expensive as an outboard to only realize you bought the wrong one. Beginning boaters should be aware of the boats measurements. This is measured by the propeller shaft being parallel to the vessels bottom. Step 2 requires the propeller's radius (check the user manual and then the technical drawing). https://www.bornagainboating.com/Get Your Born Again Boating Clothing! endobj Your email address will not be published. Cutting the transom down is the only legal method to utilize a short shaft engine on a tall transom. Check out some hot FAQs to help you get the proper outboard shaft lengths. It moves an outboard up and down to optimize performance and enable a boat to venture into shallower water than it might otherwise. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. All things considered, sticking with the industry standard is best for the beginner. Before we start measuring the outboard shaft length, lets get it clear about whats referring to when we talk about the outboard shaft length. displayPrimeOffers: true, The distance between the ends of a transom is measured in inches. (616) 364-0666, On all contiguous US part orders over $100. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. One of the main concerns is causing the engine to overheat if not enough water reaches the engine to keep it cool. If you have a question or need additional information,contact ustoday. It is possible that the motor could hang low while transporting on the boat trailer causing future boat repairs. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. endobj One of the great things about an outboard motor is how versatile it is. Actually there is no designated letter for short shaft. Simply start with the engine in idle, followed by trimming the motor out by one-half to full trim. This would not be a good thing. Knowing how this can affect the overall operation of the boat is a factor to be considered. At least if its too long you can raise the motor or "build up" your transom. Simply start with the engine in idle, followed by, If you decide to make some custom adjustments we have the. Height Measurement: Recommended Shaft Length: 14" - 17.25" 15" Shaft (Short) 17.25" - 19.5" Varies by application 19.5" - 22.5" "brackets". Boats with more engine power and weight require longer shaft outboards for better balance. Many boat transoms are modified to use a different length of outboard by using a bracket. primeApr: 12.99, Pad to bottom of If we run into that scenario, I would still show you the different options of motors and go over pricing, but I would also ask you to hold off and do one thing before you pull the trigger. manufacturer will recommend the outboard height according to the bracket shape and length. You dont have to be a mathematician to determine the correct boat transomangle. All boats are different, and the motor manufacturers produce a variety of standard lengths. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Measuring the shaft length can be done in various ways, but the most common way is by using a tape measure. actually have the propshaft above the pad.). 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). Among them will be first-timers or those who have recently purchased their boats. Or it can have an angle degree as high as 30. This placement is not only recommended but it will give you the best performance compared to something that is too long or too short. Raising an outboard higher on the transom can reduce drag and raise top speed. Check the literature about your model boat online, and you may be surprised to find that the number is published for you. Step 4. 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. When fighting waves from the stern, a 20-inch transom is considerably safer. So how to measure outboard shaft length? If you have a question or need additional information. It is unsafe to have the engine block too close to the water on a low transom. The dealer just hit you with the long or short shaft question and you have no clue as to what you need or even what he's talking about. s.setAttribute("type", "text/javascript"); There are also specialty motor shaft lengths. The motor is what powers the boat so the two go hand-in-hand. The height is approximately six inches higher than with a propeller. Will Charpentier is a writer who specializes in boating and maritime subjects. They operate as a planing surface, allowing your boat to climb to the top more quickly. In the case of a dinghy or johnboat, this point may be the top of the transom. With it comes a lot of responsibility and new things to learn including boat maintenance and boat basics. It doesnt matter if you have a fiberglass boat, bay boat, big or small boat. Always weigh the risks of making adjustments. Usually speaking, the farther the outboard is set off the transom, the higher the propeller should be in the water (or the higher the outboard can be mounted). One of the factors in determining the height of the outboard is the placement of the exhaust port on the lower unit of the outboard engine. The boat transom can be flat with zero degree angles. This could also effect your travelling capabilities on the boat trailer. If possible for your peace of mind and not let down that magnificent purchase opportunity, place that 08 kicker at back transom and test for yourself. Chances are the boat was designed with a specific size of outboard in mind. What is the Virtual Sundance Film Festival? This alone can outweigh the negatives when deciding to adjust the mount upwards. There are instances where a lower mount may be okay. All things considered, sticking with the industry standard is best for the beginner. What Kind of Fuel Does Your Marine Engine Need? See diagram below. Why wont Touch ID be under the screen in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16? For boats equipped with a bracket, calculate the same measurement but based on the bracket and not the transom. maxAmount: 6500.0, 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. Spark Plug 25.0nm(18.4 Ft-lb) (2.55 Kgf-m) This will be the Where Onboard a Boat is the Transom Located and More About Transom Heights A propeller operates based on the height of the transom. 2 0 obj When the right length motor is hung on the transom of a boat, the cavitation plate (the large plate that extends out over the propeller) should be even with the very bottom of the boat. Its where the outboard motor is attached, and its also where some boat owners put the boats name. Outboard shaft length plays a crucial role in the performance of your boat. var interval = setInterval(function () { bracket forward with a straight edge to where you can then measure up https:/. Whether you already own a boat or looking for your first watercraft we are here to service your needs. Pretty easy to figure out but like I said its crucial to pairing a motor with a boat. A transom saver, which can change the spacing between the lower unit and the trailer, negates some of the support. Each one has a totally different effect on the boats performance. Anything bigger than that your obviously going to need an extra long shaft. s.setAttribute("src", script); An outboard motor can drive just about any sort of boat with proper mounting. If you went too long it would still work but it may lack in performance. For vessels with transom-mounted outboards, you can easily figure out which type of outboard you need to get. MPW eBay Store - Thousands of New OEM Old Stock Parts! 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. It can also improve the experience of driving a faster boat. To do so, you will want to measure at the exact center of the transom from the very top to the very bottom. As summer approaches there will be more boaters taking to the water. bassboat can be a bit confusing at times; hopefully this will help sort Eq*^?6R83e+j}UY.(M7k]~4g)g ~wmS{ O7t/o(W|X? window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; parallel with the straight edge.
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