Is my outboard long or short shaft? If it measures anywhere from 17" to around 22", then your going to want to go with a long shaft motor. Take the center measurement from the top to the bottom of the hull. 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. Over time, Boating Hub has grown into a resource for boating enthusiasts around world. A yardstick will help you determine if your outboard engine is at the right height. To do so, take a measurement from the very top to the very bottom of the transom in the precise center. It is possible that the motor could hang low while transporting on the boat trailer causing future boat repairs. Your goal is to measure how the outboard will sit, so start from the clamping plate and follow the centerline of the hull. Oftentimes you will want to adjust the outboard shaft length in order to improve the boat performance such as speed. Measure the area of the transom directly where the engine will be mounted. If your outboard motor height. Picking the right shaft length for your outboard is an essential step in getting the best performance from your boat. You reply, "Im not sure, I think its a long". So you should just measure the height of the boats transom from the center down to the lowest point of the hull, and compare transom height with the outboard shaft length numbers. To achieve this, the motor itself has to be attached at the correct height. The engine must be linked to the transom at the proper height for a propeller to best meet specific boating demands. If the propeller fails to ventilate, the motor is mounted to low. All you need to do is measure how much to rise. So if you are measuring the outboard shaft length for smaller boats, inflatables, dinghies, sailboat or other low-speed work boats, the cavitation plate is often about 2 below the bottom. Knowing the width, height and depth of your transom allows you to make several important decisions when selecting or purchasing a new outboard. 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? manufacturer will recommend the outboard height according to the bracket shape and length. You can use a longer shaft than recommended and your boat will work fine. document.getElementById('cloakd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5').innerHTML = ''; Beyond motorboats designed for large outboards, you will see outboards hanging on the sterns of everything from small canoes to large cruising sailboats. Check out the full chart of the Mercury outboard model code and its features. The first step is to determine the height of your boat's transom. Then test the boat and adjust the height, if necessary . |. There are instances where a lower mount may be okay. Although the longer outboard shaft length can lead to lower speed and more drag, the boat can push a heavier load. This allows the engine to idle without the flow of the exhaust being restricted. Since the length of the shaft of your outboard is associated with the size boat, smaller engines will generally have shorter shafts. A long shaft engine requires a height of 20 and extra-long shaft engines will need a transom height of 25. 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. mpeInit(); Its important to note that manufacturers call their models different things. Generally, the anti-ventilation plate on most engines is aligned with the bottom of the vessel. Boat transomangles play a pivotal role in the flexibility of the boats trimming abilities. 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).
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. There is a simple test to see if your outboard motor is set at the best height. Whats the best height for my boat motor? If it measures anywhere from 17" to around 22", then your going to want to go with a long shaft motor. When the boat transom is too low, the motor could end up underwater. Then adjust the motor in a higher hole with a flat head screwdriver. These are vertically aligned so the boater can make adjustments. Finding the right size is a matter of looking at what youve got and taking out the measuring tape. 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. How high exactly do you have to raise the transom?-. (127 mm). ensure that your measurement is accurate. This placement is not only recommended but it will give you the best performance compared to something that is too long or too short. Why Rebounding Is A Key Skill for Fouth Players To Learn, Tips For Attacking a Zone Defense as a Youth Basketball Team, Why This is a Big Deal for the Sports Betting Industry. Basically, there are three main ways to measure motor
#3. When mounting the engine, you want the cavitation plate to be 1 above the boat bottom for every 12 away from the transom. The greater the number, the more the drive may sway (also called tuck under or negative trim). This is handy if youre shopping for second-hand outboards or looking to sell the one that came with your boat. Now that you have a better understanding of boat transom heights its time to take out the ruler and get the perfect measurements. C Cheaptoon Cadet Joined Aug 4, 2010 Messages 28 Aug 24, 2010 #4 Re: Motor height on pontoon? A retired ship captain, Charpentier holds a doctorate in applied ocean science and engineering. %
This, however, is not recommended for the beginning boater. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Again, make sure that you are measuring to the flat part of the brackets;
It is where the outboard is mounted, and some boat owners place the name of the boat. }) } }); })(document); 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. gtag('js', new Date()); This could also affect your travelling capabilities on the boat trailer. The height of the boat transom dictates the size of the outboard motor. You also might not be able to lift the outboard out of the water entirely for storage. xmlHttp.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'application/json'); Any owner seeking the last bit of speed from an outboard-powered boat should grab a yard stick. Increased RPM and additional horsepower feed the need for speed. The Effects of Standard, Lower and Higher Mounting. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Having the cavitation plate too low will cause excess drag and reduced performance at high speeds. Industry standards dictate that for short shaft engines the transom height should be 15. resting on the transom if you had the motor all the way down on the boat
The transom angle is the vertical incline of the transom and is measured in degrees. Chances are the boat was designed with a specific size of outboard in mind. Each one has a totally different effect on the boats performance. My family and I used it to fish, ski (yes, you can ski behind a pontoon boat), and cruise the lakes near our home. Beginning boaters should be aware of the boats measurements. 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. (In the case of the faster
Mounting the outboard motor in accordance with the industry standards is important. 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. function loadScript(script) { Smaller boats may use adjustable jack plates that can be changed to fit any outboard. The transom is the "back wall" of your boat, the most rearward part of your hull. If you have a small boat with a 15 to 17 inch aft transom, youll most likely need a short shaft outboard. See When St. Peters Basketball Games Are Today! Commonly, the transom angle ranges from 0-30 degrees, with the average transom angle set at 14 degrees. The standard shaft length for most outboard engines less than 125 horsepower is 20 inches. 12 Small Fishing Boat Accessories to Buy Today. Other boats that need long shafts are. If you have a jackplate, you may have to get a bit creative in your
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. This will ensure the best performance. Always weigh the risks of making adjustments. 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. actually have the propshaft above the pad.). It also includes attaching the right engine. Other boats that need extra long shafts are: Read my other articles on outboard motors. Repowering your boat is one of the most expensive upgrades you can make. of the motor off the transom
Propshaft in
Figuring out how to measure motor height on a
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. Mounting the motor lower on the boat transomcan createexcessive spray, increase case drag, reduce underwater clearance, and negatively impact faster boats. Cavitation plates are used on the bottom components of boats to help them operate better. Gear case sits just below or at the hull depth due to the deep v. (updated
The faster your boat, the more critical it is to get the sizing just right. The transom is the boats flat vertical part at the back. However, the motor should not be raised more than 5 inches above the standard position. a Detwiler manual jackplate. 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. Like Westshore Marine & Leisure on Facebook! Simply start with the engine in idle, followed by, If you decide to make some custom adjustments we have the. Beginning boaters should be aware of the boats measurements. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. No one wants to have issues with a new transom or boat repairs. The motor length corresponds to the transom height of the boat, measured from the keel to gunwale at the transom. Gear Oil Quantity 195ml(6.6 Fl.oz.) While this is the case there is certain saltwater motors that are extra extra long at 30 and 35 shaft. To do so, measure from the stern (back) of the boat to the midpoint of the hull on both sides. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". What Kind of Fuel Does Your Marine Engine Need? At least if its too long you can raise the motor or "build up" your transom. Extra-extra long shafts are 30-inches long. However, you will need an understanding of how the degrees will alter the boats usability. On this type of boat, if you are in doubt, default to the longer-shafted outboard. With the motor trimmed so that the propshaft is parallel to the keel, the anti-ventilation plate should be just about even with your straight edge, and thus even with the boat bottom at the keel. s.setAttribute("rel", "stylesheet"); Take your time and understand your boat and your entire transom. When you measure the width of the stern, mark the center with a grease pencil. The shaft length for outboard motors has nothing to do with the water line. However, the motor should not be raised more than 5 inches above the standard position. And thats usually the case since the electric outboards are designed with larger and more efficient propeller that needs longer shaft. Check out the Westshore Marine & Leisure google plus page! If it measures 15" or with in a inch of that you will need a short shaft outboard. This is probably the worst case scenario out of the two. *The Factors indicates the adjustment affected by on your boat type, the outboard working environment, and the transom distance as discussed above. High powered boats usually only come in long and extra-long variants. Ill also explain the difference between short and long shafts and how they vary by type of boat. These two measurements will give you the length of the shaft you need. Its still smart to measure it yourself though, just in case, the design changed over the years. Beefier jack plates can be fitted should a boater be looking to mount an outboard with a shorter shaft than their transom demands. It will ensure that the outboards trim will be effective, and it will save you gas too. Take your time and understand your boat and your entire transom. Now that you have a better understanding of boat transom heights its time to take out the ruler and get the perfect measurements. debugMode: false, If you go too short your more than likely going to cavitate and loose power. 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. priceSelector: ".price--withoutTax, span.price.price--withTax", The average transom angle is around 14 degrees. ), and place it on the bottom of the pad in the center. primeApr: 12.99, To break it down a bit more for you: Short shafts are 15-inches long. brackets. A transom saver, which can change the spacing between the lower unit and the trailer, negates some of the support. Assistant Measuring tape Grease pencil Ask a friend to hold one end of a measuring tape at the extreme outer edge of the top of the transom while you pull the tape across its width to the opposite outer edge to measure the "length of the taffrail," which is the width of the boat across the top edge of the stern. endobj
Also, how do you determine the length of an outboard transom? 1855 Alpine Avenue NWGrand Rapids, MI 49504This email address is being protected from spambots. I would also recommend finding your maximum horsepower rating which is located on the yellow coast guard tag towards the back of your boat. 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. It is where the outboard is mounted, and some boat owners place the name of the boat. As a dealer I run into this situation from time to time, which is fine but getting the right length outboard for your boat is crucial. center of the propshaft. This provides seaworthiness and offers maximum protection from large seas. 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. So how to measure outboard shaft length? This, however, is not recommended for the beginning boater. your motor will be higher.) 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. AztH
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