As you can see, the measurement is about 2 1/2". You can find your Mercury outboard model code on an ID plate or sticker. The form of a boats transom varies depending on the manufacturer and model. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. former editor at Boating Magazine and contributor to many national publications A long shaft engine requires a height of 20 and extra-long shaft engines will need a transom height of 25. var interval = setInterval(function () { Commonly, the transom angle ranges from 0-30 degrees, with the average transom angle set at 14 degrees. The current measurement is the ventilation plate is about 1 1/2" above the true keel line which is about 24" in front of the motor edge. Other boats that need long shafts are. Also, how do you determine the length of an outboard transom? You dont have to be a mathematician to determine the correct boat transom angle. Each one has a totally different effect on the boats performance. You can use a longer shaft than recommended and your boat will work fine. One of the main concerns is causing the engine to overheat if not enough water reaches the engine to keep it cool. This could also affect your travelling capabilities on the boat trailer. Raising the motor increases the speed of the boat while decreasing the effort needed to turn the boat. As a result, the issue is whether my boat need a short shaft or long shaft motor. Tilt your motor until the bullet of the gearcase is The boat transom can be flat with zero degree angles. Your goal is to measure how the outboard will sit, so start from the clamping plate and follow the centerline of the hull. 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. 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. When you measure the width of the stern, mark the center with a grease pencil. This is a measurement that has been used for BassCats, I'm Because of the increased friction, cavitation reduces efficiency. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Picking the right shaft length for your outboard is an essential step in getting the best performance from your boat. If your boat is newer and the manufacturer is still in business, you might also want to try to give them a call. s.setAttribute("type", "text/javascript"); The propellers will also have trouble reaching the water. As summer approaches there will be more boaters taking to the water. This is somewhat similar to #2, in that you are again measuring with a This is simply a measurement taken from the top of the transom (top of As with anything, there are exceptions to the rule. Once you know what will fit on your hull, you can fine-tune your choice based on the performance youre looking for and how you use the boat. Will Charpentier is a writer who specializes in boating and maritime subjects. var addy_textd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 = 'info' + '@' + 'vanssports' + '.' + 'com';document.getElementById('cloakd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5').innerHTML += ''+addy_textd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5+'<\/a>'; In the case of a dinghy or johnboat, this point may be the top of the transom. stream document.getElementById('cloakd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5').innerHTML = ''; Buying a boat can be an exciting purchase. If your boat planes, pay extra attention to getting the shaft length as close to perfect as possible. Small portable outboards ranging from 2 to 20 horsepower are usually sold only in short or long shaft versions. The brackets can add 1 inch to the overall mounting height of the outboard. Small motors built for sailboats might come in a unique configuration with an extremely long shaft since these are mounted higher off the water. The clamp bracket on the latest Mercury Four-Stoke-model outboards has five mounting bolt holes spaced .75 inches apart. maxMicroAmount: 0.0, Where Onboard a Boat is the Transom Located and More About Transom Heights A propeller operates based on the height of the transom. My family and I used it to fish, ski (yes, you can ski behind a pontoon boat), and cruise the lakes near our home. Boats that use longer outboard shafts include: Smaller 12-14 foot boats can require either a short or long shaft outboard depending on the style of the boat and the brand. }, 100); from the transom. No one wants to have issues with a new transom or boat repairs. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Attention: Remember to measure the outboard shaft length straight up and down instead of measuring along the transom. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This measurement is primarily designed for single motor propulsion. 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. Follow Westshore Marine & Leisure on Wordpress! Trimming in, trimming down, and trimming out are all terms that a beginning boater should learn. mpeSelector: ".pt-mpe", Take the center measurement from the top to the bottom of the hull. 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. 4 0 obj Keep these numbers in mind if you ever have a need for a new outboard motor for your boat. Actual shaft length is 21.5" on those. The average transom angle is around 14 degrees. xmlHttp.open('POST', 'https://bes.gcp.data.bigcommerce.com/nobot'); Thats it. 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. var xmlHttp = new XMLHttpRequest(); He is a var h = d.getElementsByTagName("head"), You reply, "Im not sure, I think its a long". A: The answer varies by boat, but here are some rules of thumb for matching a short shaft outboard to your boat. x\[D~OUCO6[j](l%ay <8cylY{.L2s#]~U6A|Wj]-oo|mubqY6wbY_|!>Z8(RB:RHeTzOGO_=~t\ You must be still in the blue about that matter. His works have appeared in regional newspapers in North Dakota and in "North Dakota Horizons" and "Cowboys and Indians" magazines. 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. Also, the boat will be more likely to hit bottom or submerge objects such as rocks or logs. However, you will need an understanding of how the degrees will alter the boats usability. Here we will guide you in how to get the right boat transom height. Most of the time, adding a hydrofoil to an outboard improves performance. debugMode: false, As mentioned above, the operation of the propeller relies on the transom height. A big NO. Most transom savers can support up to a 150HP motor, which is sufficient for most regular boats. Is my outboard long or short shaft? enableMoreInfoLink: true, (function (d) { This would not be a good thing. They operate as a planing surface, allowing your boat to climb to the top more quickly. (616) 364-0666, On all contiguous US part orders over $100. 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. As summer approaches there will be more boaters taking to the water. This could also effect your travelling capabilities on the boat trailer. This is handy if youre shopping for second-hand outboards or looking to sell the one that came with your boat. Rebuilt - What You Need to Know, Lower Unit and Sterndrive Break-In Instructions. This placement is not only recommended but it will give you the best performance compared to something that is too long or too short. Finding the right size is a matter of looking at what youve got and taking out the measuring tape. Other boats that need extra long shafts are: Read my other articles on outboard motors. Whether your on a pontoon boat, fishing boat, or speedboat boating is always one of the best times you can have. As a yacht designer and boater, I prefer longer shafts. If youre looking for a bracket that can handle motors of up to 10/15 horsepower, go no further. Knowing how this can affect the overall operation of the boat is a factor to be considered. ), and place it on the bottom of the pad in the center. storeDisplayName: "Marine Parts Warehouse", Required fields are marked *. You may wonder how deep your prop should be in the water. trimming the motor out by one-half to full trim. (updated Depending on the manufacturer, size names might change. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. (3) Move horizontally across the chart until you hit the graph curve. Read the measurement on the transoms bottom. Whats the best height for my boat motor? Determining Your Boat Transom Angle The transom angle - commonly measured in degrees - is the transom's vertical inclination. Measure from the top of the straight edge to the center of the front The amount of degrees the transom leans back from vertical is known as the transom angle. If it measures between 17 and 22, you'll want to go with a long shaft motor. logoColor: "original", So from there, I will try to help out by asking questions about your boat such as what type it is and the length. Generally, the anti-ventilation plate on most engines is aligned with the bottom of the vessel. 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. And thats usually the case since the electric outboards are designed with larger and more efficient propeller that needs longer shaft. Lubrication System Engine Oil Mixed Gasoline. The transom is the "back wall" of your boat, the most rearward part of your hull. 1855 Alpine Avenue NWGrand Rapids, MI 49504This email address is being protected from spambots. Youll also want to pay attention when youre in shallow water because your prop will be lower than normal. (We wont go into name-calling here, but the actual term for the cavitation plate is an anti-ventilation plate.) up to the bottom of the motor brackets, (as in #1). Industry standards dictate that for short shaft engines the transom height should be 15. Ill also explain the difference between short and long shafts and how they vary by type of boat. 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). 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? Some fishing boats can handle the motor being underwater. Picking the right shaft length is mostly a factor of the transom height or the back of the boat. The height is approximately six inches higher than with a propeller. The flat part of the bracket that rests on the transom when mounted will give you the same point of reference as the transom does on the boat. The motor length corresponds to the transom height of the boat, measured from the keel to gunwale at the transom. Outboard shaft length plays a crucial role in the performance of your boat. When the boat transom is too low, the motor could end up underwater. Brackets are also handy for boats that do not have flat transoms, like canoe-stern sailboats or fan-tailed motor vessels. The transom is the boats flat vertical part at the back. Now that you have a better understanding of boat transom heights its time to take out the ruler and get the perfect measurements. I would ask you to go back and measure the transom of your boat. Mounting the outboard motor in accordance with the industry standards is important. 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. There are a series of four to six holes at the top of the bracket, and the lower bolts actually fit into slots. The pressure behind your hand dropped as you slid your hand back and forth through the water. Outboards designed for saltwater applications usually have longer shafts. Simply start with the engine in idle, followed bytrimming the motor out by one-half to full trim. Offshore vessels are often equipped with a large mounting bracket so that the transom can be left at full height. The general guideline for longer shaft outboards is that the transom height should be at least 20 inches (50,8cm) above the waterline. 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. The outboard comes with mounting holes and brackets. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. An outboard motor can drive just about any sort of boat with proper mounting. But, how do you measure it? jackplate to a point level with the top of the transom. 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. resting on the transom if you had the motor all the way down on the boat When trimming your motor, they provide you a greater bow response. Next, measure from your centerline to where the outboard will be mounted on each side. 2 0 obj %PDF-1.7 } But in many cases, its a little more complicated than that alone. Step 4. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. Actually there is no designated letter for short shaft. What's the best height for my boat motor? Your goal is to measure how the outboard will sit, so start from the clamping plate and follow the centerline of the hull. (127 mm). function mpeInit() { How to Measure Transom Height For vessels with transom-mounted outboards, you can easily figure out which type of outboard you need to get. Simply start with the engine in idle, followed by, If you decide to make some custom adjustments we have the. Follow Westshore Marine & Leisure on Twitter! 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. Its still smart to measure it yourself though, just in case, the design changed over the years. For slower boats, its less critical to. High powered boats usually only come in long and extra-long variants. It is unsafe to have the engine block too close to the water on a low transom. |. Be sure to measure carefully and research thoroughly before diving in. Outboard motors can be fitted to a variety of boats, so manufacturers have standardized their engines to go on virtually anything. If you go too short your more than likely going to cavitate and loose power. Extra-extra long shafts are 30-inches long. 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). This will ensure the best performance. 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. Learn More About Your Boats Systems By Joining The Born Again Boating Academy! of the "bullet" on your lower unit. Your email address will not be published. With such an important, long-term, and expensive upgrade, its never a bad idea to double-check. 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}'); A: The short answer is Yes. There are 2 steps to help get a relatively accurate figure. With some boats I have a pretty good idea as to what length motor should be hung on them. (In the case of the faster However, your boat will have slightly more drag which will reduce your maximum speed. Add the two measurements and you get 6 1/2". maxTerm: 36, No one wants to have issues with a new transom or boat repairs. 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. August 9/08). Some fishing boats can handle the motor being underwater. You can order an outboard in lengths ranging from 15 inches to 30 inches, depending on its power output and possible uses. All boats are different, and the motor manufacturers produce a variety of standard lengths. If you decide to make adjustments, please consult a marine engine dealer about the boatdesign. gtag('js', new Date()); It is very versatile as it generally . Make sure that you are measuring straight up, at a 90 degree angle to And the rule of thumb is that you should keep the cavitation plate level with the bottom or keel of the boat. For boats equipped with a bracket, calculate the same measurement but based on the bracket and not the transom. Add yours in the comment and Ill get back to you asap. % Here we look at the effects of standard, lower and higher mounting. However, there may be times when a boater strays away from these recommendations. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Remember, if you use a longer outboard shaft than you need you will be increasing your draft. 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 "Other.
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