It varies between different motors and boats. WHAT LENGTH OUTBOARD DO YOU REALLY NEED? - Van's Sport Center Some fishing boats can handle the motor being underwater. 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. If the height of the boat transom is off it can cause major issues. Always weigh the risks of making adjustments. What Is Boat Transom Height? | Gone Outdoors | Your Adventure Awaits This will ensure the best performance. Whether you already own a boat or looking for your first watercraft we are here to service your needs. 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. It will ensure that the outboards trim will be effective, and it will save you gas too. 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. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Required fields are marked *. 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. The outboard comes with mounting holes and brackets. endobj Take your time and understand your boat and your entire transom. Ill also explain the difference between short and long shafts and how they vary by type of boat. %PDF-1.7 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. Here we will guide you in how to get the right boat transom height. An outboard motor can drive just about any sort of boat with proper mounting. Having the cavitation plate a bit lower than the transom is preferable to having it too high. A long shaft engine requires a height of 20 and extra-long shaft engines will need a transom height of 25. I would also recommend finding your maximum horsepower rating which is located on the yellow coast guard tag towards the back of your boat. A retired ship captain, Charpentier holds a doctorate in applied ocean science and engineering. Keep these numbers in mind if you ever have a need for a new outboard motor for your boat. manufacturer will recommend the outboard height according to the bracket shape and length. Your email address will not be published. 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. These allow the mounting of a standard length outboard behind the transom. 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. Learn More About Your Boats Systems By Joining The Born Again Boating Academy! My family and I used it to fish, ski (yes, you can ski behind a pontoon boat), and cruise the lakes near our home. Attention: Remember to measure the outboard shaft length straight up and down instead of measuring along the transom. When you measure the width of the stern, mark the center with a grease pencil. *The Factors indicates the adjustment affected by on your boat type, the outboard working environment, and the transom distance as discussed above. want to measure from the transom to the flat part of this bracket, It is unsafe to have the engine block too close to the water on a low transom. One of the main concerns is causing the engine to overheat if not enough water reaches the engine to keep it cool. The greater the number, the more the drive may sway (also called tuck under or negative trim). Copyright 2017 Dealer Spike All Rights Reserved. Charles Plueddeman is Boats.com's outboard, trailer, and PWC expert. maxAmount: 6500.0, Ideally, you want the outboards cavitation plate, also called the anti-ventilation plate, to be at the same level as the bottom of your hull. of the "bullet" on your lower unit. LOYALHEARTDY Outboard Motor 6 HP 2-Stroke Inflatable Fishing Boat All rights reserved. Smaller 12-14 foot boats can require either a short or long shaft outboard depending on the style of the boat and the brand. Measuring Motor Height - BassBoat Central Using your existing control box and gauges will save you quite a bit of money in the end. 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. The transom is the rear wall of the boat where the outboard engine is mounted in the middle. Triton. 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. Your at your local outboard dealer shopping for a new motor and the salesman hits you with the question, "short or long shaft?". var interval = setInterval(function () { Its still smart to measure it yourself though, just in case, the design changed over the years. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Actual shaft length is 21.5" on those. Engine height with stepped hull at transom - before I screw things up s.setAttribute("src", script); This, however, is not recommended for the beginning boater. Say the 20 shaft is a long shaft length for gas engines, but it is a short shaft length for electric outboard motors. 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. If you are looking to repower, they may be able to offer some sage advice. How to Buy a Boat: Tips for a First Time Buyer, Top 10 New Fishing Boats for Under $20,000, What Type is Right for You? Among them will be first-timers or those who have recently purchased their boats. How Transom Height Is Measured All rights reserved. (function (d) { The transom is the boats flat vertical part at the back. maxTerm: 36, publicId: "32bf3437d1346295e03ebcf545f9c839", You can order an outboard in lengths ranging from 15 inches to 30 inches, depending on its power output and possible uses. It also cuts into speed and fuel efficiency. You may wonder how deep your prop should be in the water. 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. and I'll explain it better, (or point you to someone that can help. Boat transomangles play a pivotal role in the flexibility of the boats trimming abilities. Knowing how this can affect the overall operation of the boat is a factor to be considered. PDF Outboard shaft lengths and transoms - Boat Builder Central Check out some hot FAQs to help you get the proper outboard shaft lengths. actually have the propshaft above the pad.). If you are running a twin-engine setup, then measure the same distance from each clamping plate to the bottom of the hull. Boaters who consider going with a higher mount can see increased speeds. This is handy if youre shopping for second-hand outboards or looking to sell the one that came with your boat. Then adjust the motor in a higher hole with a flat head screwdriver. #2. Industry transom height standards have been evolved during the last 30 years: 15 for short shaft engines, 20 for long shaft engines, and 25 for extra-long shaft engines. The transom in a boat today is a place to hang your outboard motor. gtag('js', new Date()); function mpeInit() { Measure from the top of the straight edge to the center of the front Since the ventilation plate & foil are burried under water it is obviously too low. Gear case sits just below or at the hull depth due to the deep v. The clamp bracket is designed so that the engine's mounting height on the transom can be adjusted higher than standard. Figuring out how to measure motor height on a A2: Instead of changing to the short outboard shaft, you can try the Jack Plate first. Transom Outboard Engine Position - YouTube Raising the motor increases the speed of the boat while decreasing the effort needed to turn the boat. })(); As a yacht designer and boater, I prefer longer shafts. a Detwiler manual jackplate. Be sure to measure carefully and research thoroughly before diving in. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Well, raising the outboard motor can be an easy task for you. With it comes a lot of responsibility and new things to learn includingboat maintenanceand boat basics. I mean, who wants to purchase something as expensive as an outboard to only realize you bought the wrong one. This is simply a measurement taken from the top of the transom (top of As a result, the issue is whether my boat need a short shaft or long shaft motor. Make sure that you are measuring straight up, at a 90 degree angle to | Sitemap, The Marine Parts Warehouse Outboard Museum, OBR Powerhead / Shortblock Warranty Claim Form, Remanufactured vs. Or it can have an angle degree as high as 30. Read the following to get the optimal shaft length for outboard motors! 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. gtag('config', 'G-QX0Y76NH40'); Whether your on a pontoon boat, fishing boat, or speedboat boating is always one of the best times you can have. However, there may be times when a boater strays away from these recommendations. It is extremely important that the boater understands the significance of the transoms height. 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. Boost Speed with Outboard Engine Height Adjustments } Problems with getting the ventilation plate too low include slower hole-shot and lower top-end speeds. measuring; you may have to "extend" the flat part of the Basically, there are three main ways to measure motor height (that I'm aware of); probably the most common is: # 1: Height of the motor off the transom This is simply a measurement taken from the top of the transom (top of the aluminum plate on top of the transom), to the bottom of the motor "brackets". (function () { No one wants to have issues with a new transom or boat repairs. The Best Way to Measure Prop to Pad | How to measure Outboard Motor Height 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. The height is approximately six inches higher than with a propeller. In the case of a dinghy or johnboat, this point may be the top of the transom. It is extremely important that the boater understands the significance of the transom's height. If it measures 15" or with in a inch of that you will need a short shaft outboard. If measuring an existing outboard: Measure from the inside top of mounting bracket down to anti-cavitation plate above propeller (this is the largest plate/fin directly above the propeller). Guide to Boat Transom Heights - Marine Parts Warehouse 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. These two measurements will give you the length of the shaft you need. How to Measure Shaft Length on Outboard Motor? - TrollinMotorsGuide How to Find Your Shaft Length | ePropulsion Use the mounting bracket on the motor to know where it will sit on the boat. Safely but briskly accelerate. It can also improve the experience of driving a faster boat. This is the dimension you'll need when selecting a width for your outboard motor's mounting bracket. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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? The brackets can add 1 inch to the overall mounting height of the outboard. Measure the area of the transom directly where the engine will be mounted. A long shaft engine requires a height of 20 and extra-long shaft engines will need a transom height of 25. 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. These are vertically aligned so the boater can make adjustments. Offshore vessels are often equipped with a large mounting bracket so that the transom can be left at full height. 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. To achieve 35 mph with a 6 hp engine, the total weight is 135 lbs (boat motor fuel passengers). Most of the time, adding a hydrofoil to an outboard improves performance. If you decide to make adjustments, please consult a marine engine dealer about the boatdesign. How-To: Pick A Great Portable Outboard Motor (2023 Guide) If you decide to make adjustments, please consult a marine engine dealer about the boat design. Outboard shaft length plays a crucial role in the performance of your boat. help with shaft length for a kicker - iboats Boating Forums For example, you can have the Mercury outboard shaft length by model code. With a motor tote, the outboard and boat move as one, independently of the trailer, so there are no concerns about the boat shifting on the trailer, he says. They keep water out of your prop and increase water pressure in the system. The transom is the flat vertical section at the rear of the boat. If you are running a slower boat, the exact location of the ventilation plate is less important. 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). As you can see, the measurement is about 2 1/2". Recommended Engine Oil 2-Stroke Outboard Motor Oil. For slower boats, its less critical to. var xmlHttp = new XMLHttpRequest(); A deep Vee hull will result in a different measurement than a flatter . There is a simple test to see if your outboard motor is set at the best height. Smaller boats may use adjustable jack plates that can be changed to fit any outboard. Chances are the boat was designed with a specific size of outboard in mind. You can find your Mercury outboard model code on an ID plate or sticker. I show you how to consistently measure your prop to pad height. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Outboard Motor Shaft Length & HP to Boat Calculating With a jack plate, you can mount it exactly where you want it. Also, the boat will be more likely to hit bottom or submerge objects such as rocks or logs. to where the brackets were actually resting on the transom. As with anything, there are exceptions to the rule. <> The form of a boats transom varies depending on the manufacturer and model. A reversetransom that sits too high can impact the propellers of the motor and motor bracket. The transom is the "back wall" of your boat, the most rearward part of your hull. 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. Raising an outboard higher on the transom can reduce drag and raise top speed. Should I take the raft onto the water and measure the exact distance from the top of the transom to the water line? Then finally test your outboard, if the mount is perfect. 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). }, 100); If it measures anywhere from 17" to around 22", then your going to want to go with a long shaft motor. However, the shaft length for smaller boats could be long or short depending on its style, speed requirement, etc. h[0].appendChild(s); document.getElementById('cloakd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5').innerHTML = ''; Outboard Motor Shaft Length: How do I measure? Most of the standard engined boats it takes shafts that are 15-30inches long. ensure that your measurement is accurate. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. If you decide to make some custom adjustments we have theexperience and know-howto make it happen. The Effects of Standard, Lower and Higher Mounting. Measuring the shaft length can be done in various ways, but the most common way is by using a tape measure. Is my outboard long or short shaft? Each one has a totally different effect on the boats performance. On the downside, a higher mount can interfere with the boaters steering capabilities. You can use a longer shaft than recommended and your boat will work fine. the propshaft below or above the pad. (In the case of the faster window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; up to the bottom of the motor brackets, (as in #1). s = d.createElement("link"); What Is the Transom of a Boat? EXPLAINED - My Cruiser Life An inch or two probably wont make a big difference, but any more than that will lead to trouble. endobj So from there, I will try to help out by asking questions about your boat such as what type it is and the length. If it measures between 17 and 22, you'll want to go with a long shaft motor. As mentioned above, the operation of the propeller relies on the transom height. Installing a Kicker Motor Bracket - Gone Outdoors To do so, measure from the stern (back) of the boat to the midpoint of the hull on both sides. A reverse transom that sits too high can impact the propellers of the motor and motor bracket. maxMicroAmount: 0.0, Finding the right size is a matter of looking at what youve got and taking out the measuring tape. Tilt your motor until the bullet of the gearcase is It is possible that the motor could hang low while transporting on the boat trailer causing future boat repairs. While this is the case there is certain saltwater motors that are extra extra long at 30 and 35 shaft. Re: Dinghy with a long shaft motor? You'll need a short shaft outboard if it's 15 or less than an inch shorter. (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. However, youll notice a little increase in drag and a decrease in top-end performance. Plus, a low transom cut is an invitation for the water to flood the boat. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. xmlHttp.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'application/json'); The general guideline for longer shaft outboards is that the transom height should be at least 20 inches (50,8cm) above the waterline. For vessels with transom-mounted outboards, you can easily figure out which type of outboard you need to get. Later in the article is an image that shows you exactly where to measure. You dont have to be a mathematician to determine the correct boat transom angle. The shaft length for outboard motors has nothing to do with the water line. To achieve this, the motor itself has to be attached at the correct height. There are a series of four to six holes at the top of the bracket, and the lower bolts actually fit into slots. If it measures anywhere from 17" to around 22", then your going to want to go with a long shaft motor. When fighting waves from the stern, a 20-inch transom is considerably safer. The average transom angle is around 14 degrees. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You must be still in the blue about that matter. The engine must be linked to the transom at the proper height for a propeller to best meet specific boating demands. MarinePartsMan.com also says that V6 bass-boat engines have a 20-inch shaft. Engine Oil Mixing Ratio Fuel 50: Engine Oil 1. In lower mounting, the engine is set lower than the recommended standard. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; 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. This illustration depicts four different outboard mounting height options (courtesy Mercury Marine). 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. 1 0 obj How to Raise Outboard Motor on Transom? - Raising the Outboard Motor 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. Pad to bottom of Kicker Motor Shaft Length - This Old Boat - Lake Ontario United - Lake Mounting the outboard motor in accordance with the industry standards is important. Step 2: Three Variables to Consider In addition, motor totes will not harm the finish of the lower unit. What Types of Documents Can be Sent to your Kindle Library? In the photo above, we've measured from the motor bracket to the top of Brackets are also handy for boats that do not have flat transoms, like canoe-stern sailboats or fan-tailed motor vessels. (616) 364-0666, On all contiguous US part orders over $100. relation to pad bracket forward with a straight edge to where you can then measure up A transom saver, which can change the spacing between the lower unit and the trailer, negates some of the support. What is a Transom Saver And Do I Need One? - Boat Safe ), Al Shields This is probably the worst case scenario out of the two. There are 2 steps to help get a relatively accurate figure. MPW eBay Store - Thousands of New OEM Old Stock Parts! height (that I'm aware of); probably the most common is: The boat transom height is measured from the lowest point on the keel along the center line to the spot where the outboard motor's mounting holes bracket rests. Transom Outboard Engine Position - YouTube 0:00 / 0:56 Transom Outboard Engine Position BOATING SCENE 763 subscribers 609 211K views 5 years ago www.boatingscene.com.au Sometimes when your. 7. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The same is true for the newest, high-powered offshore fishing boats, where triple or quadruple motor setups are becoming more and more common. Set the end of the tape on the outside edge of the taffrail at the center and measure inward to the inside edge of the taffrail. If it measures 15" or with in a inch of that you will need a short shaft outboard. How to Measure Transom Height For vessels with transom-mounted outboards, you can easily figure out which type of outboard you need to get. Selecting the Correct Size Outboard Shaft, What is the Best Outboard Motor for Saltwater, Diagnosing Common Outboard Motor Problems, Best Beginner Boats Everything You Need to Know. Youll also want to pay attention when youre in shallow water because your prop will be lower than normal. It also decreases the boats lift and increases the time it takes for the boat to reach plane. 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. Picking the right shaft length is mostly a factor of the transom height or the back of the boat. "brackets". debugMode: false, The boater must also consider if the boat transom support is designed to bear the weight of a higher mount. Boats that use longer outboard shafts include: primeApr: 12.99, The outboard comes with mounting holes and brackets. If youre looking for a bracket that can handle motors of up to 10/15 horsepower, go no further. While this is the case there is certain saltwater motors that are extra extra long at 30 and 35 shaft. Before we start measuring the outboard shaft length, lets get it clear about whats referring to when we talk about the outboard shaft length. https://www.bornagainboating.com/Get Your Born Again Boating Clothing! Whats the best height for my boat motor? Like Westshore Marine & Leisure on Facebook! This was the height of my 225 Yamaha on my TR21 Read the measurement on the transoms bottom. mpeSelector: ".pt-mpe", Before we get started lets see what a boat transom is and what it does. Doing so, will put the propeller right below the boat. Actually there is no designated letter for short shaft. The transom is the flat vertical section at the rear of the boat. Check out the Westshore Marine & Leisure Youtube page! Where Onboard a Boat is the Transom Located and More About Transom Heights A propeller operates based on the height of the transom. So how to measure outboard shaft length? This will be the There are instances where a lower mount may be okay. 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. Measure from there down to the top of the cavitation plate, also known as the anti-ventilation plate. The boat transom can be flat with zero degree angles. 12 Small Fishing Boat Accessories to Buy Today. Place the clubs bottom on the ground as though it were going to be used to strike a golf ball. Industry standards dictate that for short shaft engines the transom height should be 15. This allows the engine to idle without the flow of the exhaust being restricted. A big NO. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Then open up the clamp bucket. disregard the "hooks" at the front of the Propshaft in Other boats that need long shafts are. out the confusion. 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. 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 propellers will also have trouble reaching the water. On most newer center consoles and offshoreboat transoms might include a rear door leading to a swim platform as well as a molded setback bracket. But, how do you measure it? As mentioned above, the operation of the propeller relies on the transom height. Now that you have a better understanding of boat transom heights its time to take out the ruler and get the perfect measurements. The boater must also consider if the boat transomsupport is designed to bear the weight of a higher mount. Anything bigger than that your obviously going to need an extra long shaft. #1: Height With some boats I have a pretty good idea as to what length motor should be hung on them. The first order of business is to measure your boat for the ideal fit. This could also affect your travelling capabilities on the boat trailer. Take a long straight edge, (long carpenter's level or long boats.com is part of the Boats Group Network. The transom angle is the vertical incline of the transom and is measured in degrees. 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. The mounting height of an outboard motor can impact the speed and handling characteristics of the boat.
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