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var h = d.getElementsByTagName("head"), The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Your goal is to measure how the outboard will sit, so start from the clamping plate and follow the centerline of the hull. To achieve 35 mph with a 6 hp engine, the total weight is 135 lbs (boat motor fuel passengers). This will be the 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 same is true for the newest, high-powered offshore fishing boats, where triple or quadruple motor setups are becoming more and more common. Lubrication System Engine Oil Mixed Gasoline. In lower mounting, the engine is set lower than the recommended standard. It varies between different motors and boats. Keep these numbers in mind if you ever have a need for a new outboard motor for your boat. They keep water out of your prop and increase water pressure in the system. Outboard Motor Shaft Length: How do I measure? The boat transom can be flat with zero degree angles. (Any measurement given as "off the transom" This illustration depicts four different outboard mounting height options (courtesy Mercury Marine). Whether your on a pontoon boat, fishing boat, or speedboat boating is always one of the best times you can have. All rights reserved. Having the cavitation plate a bit lower than the transom is preferable to having it too high. Gear Oil Quantity 195ml(6.6 Fl.oz.) If the height of the boat transom is off it can cause major issues. Its still smart to measure it yourself though, just in case, the design changed over the years. Or it can have an angle degree as high as 30. Mounting the outboard motor in accordance with the industry standards is important. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. For slower boats, its less critical to. Simply start with the engine in idle, followed bytrimming the motor out by one-half to full trim. Charles Plueddeman is Boats.com's outboard, trailer, and PWC expert. What types of boat need an extra long shaft? There are instances where a lower mount may be okay. 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. If you decide to make adjustments, please consult a marine engine dealer about the boatdesign. I also love helping others, which is why I created this website. Setting Height of Outboard Motor - YouTube 0:00 / 0:46 Setting Height of Outboard Motor nates90 71 subscribers Subscribe 83 Share 63K views 7 years ago #boatservice #outboardmotor. If you said you have a pontoon or a larger style boat such as a bass boat or speed boat, I would be pretty confident in saying it needs a long shaft. s = d.createElement("link"); trimming the motor out by one-half to full trim. Theyre also useful if the back of your boat has a non-standard measurement. Safely but briskly accelerate. The engine may be lifted one inch for every eight to ten inches of distance between the transom and the prop, according to a boat riggers rule of thumb. Safely but briskly accelerate. Tightening Torque for Engine. If you have a question or need additional information. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Amazon has plate extensions to allow adjustments without buying a new motor: T-H Marine Jack Plate Extension. This measurement would be the inches of on How to Measure Outboard Shaft Length: The Only Guide You Need, ePropulsion vs Torqeedo: An All-Round Comparison, 55 lb Thrust Trolling Motors: All You Need to Know Before Purchase, Spot Lock Trolling Motor: Is It Worth It & Best Options in 2022, Wiring 24V Trolling Motors: 24 Volt Wiring Diagram (with Video), LiFePO4 Battery: Why Lithium iron Phosphate Batteries Are Your Best Options in 2022, Minn Kota vs MotorGuide: Best Option in 2022. All things considered, sticking with the industry standard is best for the beginner. For vee-shaped hulls, the lowest spot of the hull will come to point, while on flat-bottomed boats it will be more or less level. A: The answer varies by boat, but here are some rules of thumb for matching a short shaft outboard to your boat. Here are several situations on how you should adjust the outboard shaft length: Mounting the outboard a little bit higher than the standard point could reduce drag, improve RPM at full throttle, and therefore improve speed and make it easier for the boat to get on plane. 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. Check the literature about your model boat online, and you may be surprised to find that the number is published for you. from the transom. endobj High powered boats usually only come in long and extra-long variants. #2. Make sure that you are measuring straight up, at a 90 degree angle to Simply start with the engine in idle, followed by, If you decide to make some custom adjustments we have the. Generally, short shaft outboards are 15 inches, long shaft outboards are 20 inches, and extra-long outboards are 25 inches. Read the measurement on the transoms bottom. This exhaust port should be about 1 inch above the water line when the boat is idling. Later in the article is an image that shows you exactly where to measure. However, the motor should not be raised more than 5 inches above the standard position. Since the length of the shaft of your outboard is associated with the size boat, smaller engines will generally have shorter shafts. While this is the case there is certain saltwater motors that are extra extra long at 30 and 35 shaft. The how to measure the shaft length of an outboard motor is a question that many people have asked. Attention: Remember to measure the outboard shaft length straight up and down instead of measuring along the transom. Sluggish speeds, poor handling, heavy spray, porpoising, or even water pushing up into the cowling are all signs that an outboard is set too low. ), Al Shields The average transom angle is around 14 degrees. 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. These are vertically aligned so the boater can make adjustments. 3 0 obj (In the case of the faster On the downside, a higher mount can interfere with the boaters steering capabilities. If youd like to see this in video format, skip to 0:44 in the below YouTube Video: Is it OK to put a long shaft outboard on a boat thats rated for a short shaft? If you have a jackplate, you may have to get a bit creative in your The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Shaft lengths are available in increments of 5. Take your time and understand your boat and your entire transom. As a yacht designer and boater, I prefer longer shafts. Workboats, sailboats, and displacement-hulled boats fall into this category. August 9/08). This is also known as the shaft length. Before we start measuring the outboard shaft length, lets get it clear about whats referring to when we talk about the outboard shaft length. It can also improve the experience of driving a faster boat. Among them will be first-timers or those who have recently purchased their boats. Anything bigger than that your obviously going to need an extra long shaft. Doing this can have adverse effects. The center is the point where your outboard motor is (ideally) located. If you decide to make adjustments, please consult a marine engine dealer about the boat design. 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. Hold the tape on the top, center of the taffrail and measure straight down to the point, usually a sharp angle, where the transom joins the bottom of the boat. 1 0 obj (616) 364-0666, On all contiguous US part orders over $100. This is probably the worst case scenario out of the two. Measure from the top of the straight edge to the center of the front Variables to consider when determining the mounting height include the size and style of the boat and the length of the outboard motor's shaft. Look at the part of your motor that would be Like Westshore Marine & Leisure on Facebook! priceSelector: ".price--withoutTax, span.price.price--withTax", This would not be a good thing. The average transom angle is around 14 degrees. 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. Also, the boat will be more likely to hit bottom or submerge objects such as rocks or logs. Boaters who consider going with a higher mount can see increased speeds. The standard installation of an outboard has the top of the transom of the boat at the same level as the bottom of the motor portion of the outboard. At least if its too long you can raise the motor or "build up" your transom. A1: Broadly speaking, the outboard motor shaft length for pontoon boat, bass boat, or other larger boats should be long shaft. The lowest point will likely be directly under your drain plug if youve got one. Your goal is to measure how the outboard will sit, so start from the clamping plate and follow the centerline of the hull. 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. Here we look at the effects of standard, lower and higher mounting. With this in mind, how can I determine if my outboard has a short or long shaft? Required fields are marked *. the aluminum plate on top of the transom), to the bottom of the motor This provides seaworthiness and offers maximum protection from large seas. The transom angle is the vertical incline of the transom and is measured in degrees. <> So how to measure outboard shaft length? If you said something smaller than that, thats where it can get tricky. If your outboard motor height. To do so, measure from the stern (back) of the boat to the midpoint of the hull on both sides. https:/. 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. A: Any boat that has a 21 to 27 inch aft transom will need an extra long shaft outboard. Which Navigation Lights Does Your Boat Need? It doesnt matter if you have a fiberglass boat, bay boat, big or small boat. The most common percent angle is probably 12, however spec sheets for O/B and I/O boats may show 10 percent, 12 percent, and 14 degrees. resting on the transom if you had the motor all the way down on the boat The transom is the flat vertical section at the rear of the boat. Other boats that need short shafts are: A: If you have a small boat with a 18 to 21 inch aft transom, youll most likely need a long shaft outboard. Most of the time, adding a hydrofoil to an outboard improves performance. The outboard shaft length is the vertical distance between the top of the mounting clamp bracket and the bottom of the cavitation plate (aka the ventilation plate). Small portable outboards ranging from 2 to 20 horsepower are usually sold only in short or long shaft versions. This also means it can affect the safety of the boat. If you have a small boat with a 15 to 17 inch aft transom, youll most likely need a short shaft outboard. For example, you can have the Mercury outboard shaft length by model code. Here we will guide you in how to get the right boat transom height. Chances are the boat was designed with a specific size of outboard in mind. If you are looking to repower, they may be able to offer some sage advice. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. #3. The Effects of Standard, Lower and Higher Mounting. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. To break it down a bit more for you: Short shafts are 15-inches long. primeApr: 12.99, One of the great things about an outboard motor is how versatile it is. If you are running a twin-engine setup, then measure the same distance from each clamping plate to the bottom of the hull. Raising an outboard higher on the transom can reduce drag and raise top speed. Boat Transom Heights The Beginners Guide, Buying a boat can be an exciting purchase. No matter what size of boat you are running, one of the most critical choices you can make when buying an outboard motor is the shaft length. 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. endobj Upstream Securitys Disruptive Telematics Technology, The challenges of scaling a cloud-based security system, OneStreams unified platform streamlines financial data management, OneStreams impact on the financial software market. Mounting the motor lower on the boat transomcan createexcessive spray, increase case drag, reduce underwater clearance, and negatively impact faster boats. This distance is very important to the performance of you boat. According to MarinePartsMan.com, the outboard can be raised 1 inch above the standard height for every 10 miles per hour of speed the boat can attain. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I live for the weekends when I can go out on the water and escape the stress of life on land. Then, you can pick the right engine. What matters is the actual measurement in the specifications, not the name. Then test the boat and adjust the height, if necessary . This is measured by the propeller shaft being parallel to the vessels bottom. disregard the downward pointing "hooks" at the front of the As mentioned above, the operation of the propeller relies on the transom height. Outboards designed for saltwater applications usually have longer shafts. s = d.createElement("script"); The prop will be in cleaner, harder water as it advances farther aft, making it more efficient. This allows the engine to idle without the flow of the exhaust being restricted. On the downside, a higher mount can interfere with the boaters steering capabilities. (3) Move horizontally across the chart until you hit the graph curve. enableMoreInfoLink: true, One of the main concerns is causing the engine to overheat if not enough water reaches the engine to keep it cool. Before we get started lets see what a boat transom is and what it does. endobj former editor at Boating Magazine and contributor to many national publications Whats the best height for my boat motor? To achieve this, the motor itself has to be attached at the correct height. You can use a longer shaft than recommended and your boat will work fine. Raising the motor increases the speed of the boat while decreasing the effort needed to turn the boat. For boats equipped with a bracket, calculate the same measurement but based on the bracket and not the transom. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Actually there is no designated letter for short shaft. Many boat transoms are modified to use a different length of outboard by using a bracket. window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; 7. A big NO. With it comes a lot of responsibility and new things to learn including boat maintenance and boat basics. No one wants to have issues with a new transom or boat repairs. But in many cases, its a little more complicated than that alone. logoColor: "original", You may wonder how deep your prop should be in the water. document.getElementById('cloakd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5').innerHTML = ''; parallel with the straight edge. Boats with more engine power and weight require longer shaft outboards for better balance. Then finally test your outboard, if the mount is perfect. bassboat can be a bit confusing at times; hopefully this will help sort The mounting height of an outboard motor can impact the speed and handling characteristics of the boat. Typical motor lengths include the following. You can find your Mercury outboard model code on an ID plate or sticker. The transom is the back of the boat where the motor is hung. In the photo above, we've measured from the motor bracket to the top of out the confusion. Boat transom angles play a pivotal role in the flexibility of the boats trimming abilities. The correct shaft length for your boat depends on a few factors. I hope this helps someone out in their search for a new or newer outboard this season. However, there may be times when a boater strays away from these recommendations. If you went too long it would still work but it may lack in performance. When the boattransom is too low, the motor could end up underwater. The motor is what powers the boat so the two go hand-in-hand. Your at your local outboard dealer shopping for a new motor and the salesman hits you with the question, "short or long shaft?". 2019s List of the Best Recreational Pontoon Boats for Sale. 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. As a result, the issue is whether my boat need a short shaft or long shaft motor. To measure your outboard motor shaft length, measure from the bottom of the mounting bracket where it rests on the transom to the top of the cavitation plate, this is the horizontal surface of the lower unit immediately above the propeller. |. 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. Always weigh the risks of making adjustments. 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. ensure that your measurement is accurate. PayTomorrow.mpeInit({ What Types of Documents Can be Sent to your Kindle Library? By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Smaller 12-14 foot boats can require either a short or long shaft outboard depending on the style of the boat and the brand. Boat transomangles play a pivotal role in the flexibility of the boats trimming abilities. 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. Some fishing boats can handle the motor being underwater. This email address is being protected from spambots. When mounting the engine, you want the cavitation plate to be 1 above the boat bottom for every 12 away from the transom. Keep these numbers in mind if you ever have a need for a new outboard motor for your boat. (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. If it measures between 17 and 22, you'll want to go with a long shaft motor. The outboard comes with mounting holes and brackets. since 1986. Extra-extra long shafts are 30-inches long. You will also risk hitting bottom or submerge objects more frequently such as rocks or logs. It is where the outboard is mounted, and some boat owners place the name of the boat. This was the height of my 225 Yamaha on my TR21 There are a series of four to six holes at the top of the bracket, and the lower bolts actually fit into slots. 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. Follow Westshore Marine & Leisure on Wordpress! Cavitation plates are used on the bottom components of boats to help them operate better. Measure from the top of the transom to the bottom of the hull. So how to determine the outboard shaft length? As with anything, there are exceptions to the rule. The first order of business is to measure your boat for the ideal fit. The motor length corresponds to the transom height of the boat, measured from the keel to gunwale at the transom. How do you measure a transom on an outboard motor? My family and I used it to fish, ski (yes, you can ski behind a pontoon boat), and cruise the lakes near our home. Step 2: Three Variables to Consider 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. It is where the outboard is mounted, and some boat owners place the name of the boat. Each one has a totally different effect on the boats performance. Boat hulls are designed in three basic types that range from slow displacement and semi-displacement hulls to the fastest planing hulls. To do so, take a measurement from the very top to the very bottom of the transom in the precise center. This measurement is primarily designed for single motor propulsion. I show you how to consistently measure your prop to pad height. Will Charpentier is a writer who specializes in boating and maritime subjects. Engine Oil Type Genuine or Recommended 2str Engine Oil. Sailboats use these sometimes, as well as some boaters who want to install a much smaller auxiliary motor to use in case of primary engine failure. The boat transom can be flat with zero degree angles. Get the latest updates on new products and upcoming sales, 2023 Marine Parts Warehouse Incorporated Basically, there are three main ways to measure motor actually have the propshaft above the pad.). } Generally, the anti-ventilation plate on most engines is aligned with the bottom of the vessel. boats.com, 1221 Brickell Avenue, 23rd Floor, Miami, FL 33131, USA. The height of the boat transom dictates the size of the outboard motor. debugMode: false, Doing this can have adverse effects. https://www.bornagainboating.com/Get Your Born Again Boating Clothing! When the jet drive is on the motor, set the height so that the leading edge of the intake is flush with the boat bottom. Keith Allen, a 1979 graduate of Valley City State College, has worked at a variety of jobs including computer operator, medical clinic manager, radio talk show host and potato sorter. motor brackets He is a addyd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 = addyd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 + 'vanssports' + '.' + 'com'; (Putting a Doing so, will put the propeller right below the boat. See diagram below. As mentioned above, the operation of the propeller relies on the transom height. Happy boating! If you are running a slower boat, the exact location of the ventilation plate is less important. As summer approaches there will be more boaters taking to the water. publicId: "32bf3437d1346295e03ebcf545f9c839", They operate as a planing surface, allowing your boat to climb to the top more quickly. 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. The propellers will also have trouble reaching the water. This alone can outweigh the negatives when deciding to adjust the mount upwards. If youre going the other way around and trying to figure out how long the shaft on your outboard is, measuring it is equally easy. h[0].appendChild(s); Should I take the raft onto the water and measure the exact distance from the top of the transom to the water line? However, there may be times when a boater strays away from these recommendations. To measure the transom height, measure from the center on for transom (rear of the boat). It will ensure that the outboards trim will be effective, and it will save you gas too. Place the clubs bottom on the ground as though it were going to be used to strike a golf ball. All boats are different, and the motor manufacturers produce a variety of standard lengths. This is somewhat similar to #2, in that you are again measuring with a 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. Of course, its always best to go with standard practices when choosing thebest boat engine. The general guideline for longer shaft outboards is that the transom height should be at least 20 inches (50,8cm) above the waterline. s.setAttribute("href", "https://cdn.paytomorrow.com/css/pt-mpe.min.css"); A: The short answer is Yes. MPW eBay Store - Thousands of New OEM Old Stock Parts! The shaft length for outboard motors has nothing to do with the water line. However, you will need an understanding of how the degrees will alter the boats usability. }, 100); For really big boats, the biggest and baddest six- or eight-cylinder outboards can have extra-extra long shafts up to 30 inches. The rearmost structural member of your boat, it not only distributes the stress of the hull generated by the bow's impact as it cleaves the water, it's the place you hang your outboard motor. 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. The greater the number, the more the drive may sway (also called tuck under or negative trim). Higher mounting decisions should be left to the professionals. Long shafts are 20-inches long. Now that you have a better understanding of boat transom heights its time to take out the ruler and get the perfect measurements. gtag('js', new Date()); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Over time, Boating Hub has grown into a resource for boating enthusiasts around world. :$I>M W$h"%U_yzIb?]NHg_G|r@nX eTf."SQ This will ensure the best performance. In the case of a larger offshore boat, it may be to the top of a cutout on the . If you go too short your more than likely going to cavitate and loose power. Engine Oil Mixing Ratio Fuel 50: Engine Oil 1. The first step is to determine the height of your boat's transom. If mounting directly to a boat transom: Measure from the top of the transom down to the bottom of the hull or keel (lowest point). Top 10 Choices for Boaters, Mercury Introduces 600HP V12 Verado Outboard Engine, The Outboard Expert: Tohatsu Propane Outboard Engine. d.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function (e) { Place the bracket on the transom to the left of the main outboard or rudder. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Check out the Westshore Marine & Leisure google plus page! 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. The boater must also consider if the boat transomsupport is designed to bear the weight of a higher mount. Some outboards have a serial number that tells you which shaft length to go for. Then adjust the motor in a higher hole with a flat head screwdriver. var h = d.getElementsByTagName("head"), If your boats transom height is 15-16, a short shaft engine is required, and if it is 20-21, a long shaft engine is required. This is measured by the propeller shaft being parallel to the vessels bottom. var addy_textd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 = 'info' + '@' + 'vanssports' + '.' + 'com';document.getElementById('cloakd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5').innerHTML += ''+addy_textd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5+'<\/a>'; function loadScript(script) { While this is the case there is certain saltwater motors that are extra extra long at 30 and 35 shaft. mpeInit(); What is the Virtual Sundance Film Festival? Re: Dinghy with a long shaft motor? For most boaters this is a no brainer, but for the novice or inexperienced boater it may be a tougher question. 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). MarinePartsMan.com also says that V6 bass-boat engines have a 20-inch shaft.