function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} It is extremely important that the boater understands the significance of the transoms height. This also means it can affect the safety of the boat. var BCData = {"csrf_token":"d7ecb6b56891bb66aee12dbc01a80162b3ed582c1acbe30f16fc9f1b2abc362f"}; It is possible that the motor could hang low while transporting on the boat trailer causing future boat repairs. clearInterval(interval); What's the best height for my boat motor? s.setAttribute("src", script); Spark Plug 25.0nm(18.4 Ft-lb) (2.55 Kgf-m) Shaft lengths are available in increments of 5. var addy_textd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 = 'info' + '@' + 'vanssports' + '.' + 'com';document.getElementById('cloakd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5').innerHTML += ''+addy_textd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5+'<\/a>'; Doing this can have adverse effects. To do so, you will want to measure at the exact center of the transom from the very top to the very bottom. The boat transom can be flat with zero degree angles. h[0].appendChild(s); Happy boating! Place the bracket on the transom to the left of the main outboard or rudder. 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. Which Navigation Lights Does Your Boat Need? See diagram below. This will keep the prop in the water when the boat pitches in waves, or hobby-horses. But, how do you measure it? Whats the best height for my boat motor? 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. On the downside, a higher mount can interfere with the boaters steering capabilities. As a yacht designer and boater, I prefer longer shafts. Pad to bottom of Keep these numbers in mind if you ever have a need for a new outboard motor for your boat. 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). When you measure the width of the stern, mark the center with a grease pencil. 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. This alone can outweigh the negatives when deciding to adjust the mount upwards. A: Any boat that has a 21 to 27 inch aft transom will need an extra long shaft outboard. As mentioned above, the operation of the propeller relies on the transom height. Raising the motor increases the speed of the boat while decreasing the effort needed to turn the boat. The boat transom can be flat with zero degree angles. On this type of boat, if you are in doubt, default to the longer-shafted outboard. This is probably the worst case scenario out of the two. The average transom angle is around 14 degrees. The shaft length for outboard motors has nothing to do with the water line. Use the mounting bracket on the motor to know where it will sit on the boat. Mounting the outboard motor in accordance with the industry standards is important. It is very versatile as it generally . If it measures 15" or with in a inch of that you will need a short shaft outboard. The mounting height of an outboard motor can impact the speed and handling characteristics of the boat. These allow the mounting of a standard length outboard behind the transom. Always weigh the risks of making adjustments. Boats that use longer outboard shafts include: Now that you have a better understanding of boat transom heights its time to take out the ruler and get the perfect measurements. This is measured by the propeller shaft being parallel to the vessels bottom. In the photo above, we've measured from the motor bracket to the top of (Any measurement given as "off the transom" Mounting the outboard motor in accordance with the industry standards is important. So how to determine the outboard shaft length? It doesnt matter if you have a fiberglass boat, bay boat, big or small boat. Small portable outboards ranging from 2 to 20 horsepower are usually sold only in short or long shaft versions. Some fishing boats can handle the motor being underwater. maxAmount: 6500.0, Having the cavitation plate too low will cause excess drag and reduced performance at high speeds. Among them will be first-timers or those who have recently purchased their boats. Beefier jack plates can be fitted should a boater be looking to mount an outboard with a shorter shaft than their transom demands. Since the ventilation plate & foil are burried under water it is obviously too low. AztH ^zv_ cT,E1K/rAB54| 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. brackets. Safely but briskly accelerate. var interval = setInterval(function () { Most of the time, adding a hydrofoil to an outboard improves performance. Adjusting the mounting height of an outboard on the boat transom can affect performance and every boat can be different, so actual on-water testing is best. manufacturer will recommend the outboard height according to the bracket shape and length. Measure from the top of the transom to the bottom of the hull. if (PayTomorrow) { August 9/08). There are instances where a lower mount may be okay. Problems with getting the ventilation plate too low include slower hole-shot and lower top-end speeds. However, the motor should not be raised more than 5 inches above the standard position. One of the great things about an outboard motor is how versatile it is. 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. Boats with more engine power and weight require longer shaft outboards for better balance. and I'll explain it better, (or point you to someone that can help. 2019s List of the Best Recreational Pontoon Boats for Sale. (Putting a Attention: Remember to measure the outboard shaft length straight up and down instead of measuring along the transom. (3) Move horizontally across the chart until you hit the graph curve. However, there may be times when a boater strays away from these recommendations. 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. The transom is the "back wall" of your boat, the most rearward part of your hull. Tightening Torque for Engine. This will be the Here we will guide you in how to get the right boat transom height. window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; I mean, who wants to purchase something as expensive as an outboard to only realize you bought the wrong one. 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. Whether you already own a boat or looking for your first watercraft we are here to service your needs. 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. If you have a small boat with a 15 to 17 inch aft transom, youll most likely need a short shaft outboard. (function () { x\[D~OUCO6[j](l%ay <8cylY{.L2s#]~U6A|Wj]-oo|mubqY6wbY_|!>Z8(RB:RHeTzOGO_=~t\ Extra-long shafts are 25-inches long. For example, you can have the Mercury outboard shaft length by model code. Trimming in, trimming down, and trimming out are all terms that a beginning boater should learn. 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. 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. 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. If you are running a slower boat, the exact location of the ventilation plate is less important. 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 aluminum plate on top of the transom), to the bottom of the motor Triton. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 4 0 obj s.setAttribute("type", "text/javascript"); One of the main concerns is causing the engine to overheat if not enough water reaches the engine to keep it cool. Say the 20 shaft is a long shaft length for gas engines, but it is a short shaft length for electric outboard motors. The same is true for the newest, high-powered offshore fishing boats, where triple or quadruple motor setups are becoming more and more common. They operate as a planing surface, allowing your boat to climb to the top more quickly. This allows the engine to idle without the flow of the exhaust being restricted. A reverse transom that sits too high can impact the propellers of the motor and motor bracket. As summer approaches there will be more boaters taking to the water. It is where the outboard is mounted, and some boat owners place the name of the boat. relation to pad Before we start measuring the outboard shaft length, lets get it clear about whats referring to when we talk about the outboard shaft length. would be more accurate.) You can use a longer shaft than recommended and your boat will work fine. 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. 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. displayMicroOffers: false, A transom saver, which can change the spacing between the lower unit and the trailer, negates some of the support. (function (d) { Check out the full chart of the Mercury outboard model code and its features. 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. My family and I used it to fish, ski (yes, you can ski behind a pontoon boat), and cruise the lakes near our home. Propshaft in of the motor off the transom You reply, "Im not sure, I think its a long". This, however, is not recommended for the beginning boater. Other boats that need extra long shafts are: Read my other articles on outboard motors. With such an important, long-term, and expensive upgrade, its never a bad idea to double-check. 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. 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. Knowing the width, height and depth of your transom allows you to make several important decisions when selecting or purchasing a new outboard. Learn More About Your Boats Systems By Joining The Born Again Boating Academy! I live for the weekends when I can go out on the water and escape the stress of life on land. What the relationship to the pontoons is, I couldn't say. This could also affect your travelling capabilities on the boat trailer. It can also improve the experience of driving a faster boat. Make sure that you are measuring straight up, at a 90 degree angle to If the height of the boat transom is off it can cause major issues. 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. Brackets are also handy for boats that do not have flat transoms, like canoe-stern sailboats or fan-tailed motor vessels. The height of the boat transom dictates the size of the outboard motor. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The motor is what powers the boat so the two go hand-in-hand. This is also known as the shaft length. The transom is the back of the boat where the motor is hung. Take the center measurement from the top to the bottom of the hull. Among them will be first-timers or those who have recently purchased their boats. An inch or two probably wont make a big difference, but any more than that will lead to trouble. The distance between the ends of a transom is measured in inches. <> And the rule of thumb is that you should keep the cavitation plate level with the bottom or keel of the boat. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". I would ask you to go back and measure the transom of your boat. } It doesnt matter if you have a fiberglass boat, bay boat, big or small boat. Smaller 12-14 foot boats can require either a short or long shaft outboard depending on the style of the boat and the brand. 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 cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". It also includes attaching the right engine. If you have a question or need additional information,contact ustoday. Ill also explain the difference between short and long shafts and how they vary by type of boat. Height Measurement: Recommended Shaft Length: 14" - 17.25" 15" Shaft (Short) 17.25" - 19.5" Varies by application 19.5" - 22.5" How high exactly do you have to raise the transom?-. With the long side (22 1/2), place a carpenters square ) in opposition to the keel. 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. addyd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 = addyd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 + 'vanssports' + '.' + 'com'; var h = d.getElementsByTagName("head"), 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. 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. the propshaft below or above the pad. If the height of the boat transom is off it can cause major issues. The vertical distance between the interior of the clamp and the cavitation plate is the shaft length specified by the outboard manufacturer. A deep Vee hull will result in a different measurement than a flatter . The how to measure the shaft length of an outboard motor is a question that many people have asked. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. With some boats I have a pretty good idea as to what length motor should be hung on them. 1855 Alpine Avenue NWGrand Rapids, MI 49504This email address is being protected from spambots. Pretty easy to figure out but like I said its crucial to pairing a motor with a boat. See When St. Peters Basketball Games Are Today! Beginning boaters should be aware of the boats measurements. To do so, take a measurement from the very top to the very bottom of the transom in the precise center. Your goal is to measure how the outboard will sit, so start from the clamping plate and follow the centerline of the hull. Wherever the outboard clamping bracket is, use this as the basis for measurement. These two measurements will give you the length of the shaft you need. There are instances where a lower mount may be okay. mpeSelector: ".pt-mpe", Knowing how this can affect the overall operation of the boat is a factor to be considered. Using your existing control box and gauges will save you quite a bit of money in the end. 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. As you can see, the measurement is about 2 1/2". The pros and cons of properly . To break it down a bit more for you: Short shafts are 15-inches long. It will ensure that the outboards trim will be effective, and it will save you gas too. However, your boat will have slightly more drag which will reduce your maximum speed. endobj 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. For really big boats, the biggest and baddest six- or eight-cylinder outboards can have extra-extra long shafts up to 30 inches. Take a long straight edge, (long carpenter's level or long 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. The height is approximately six inches higher than with a propeller. However, the shaft length for smaller boats could be long or short depending on its style, speed requirement, etc. to where the brackets were actually resting on the transom. Mounting the motor lower on the boat transomcan createexcessive spray, increase case drag, reduce underwater clearance, and negatively impact faster boats. 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. document.getElementById('cloakd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5').innerHTML = ''; Its still smart to measure it yourself though, just in case, the design changed over the years. With it comes a lot of responsibility and new things to learn includingboat maintenanceand boat basics. 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. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. In the case of a larger offshore boat, it may be to the top of a cutout on the . 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. If so, send me an Anything bigger than that your obviously going to need an extra long shaft. He is also a certified marine technician and the author of a popular text on writing local history. Copyright 1999-2023 Boats Group. h[0].appendChild(s); Keep these numbers in mind if you ever have a need for a new outboard motor for your boat. s = d.createElement("link"); Doing so, will put the propeller right below the boat. (updated Actual shaft length is 21.5" on those. Some boats are equipped with transom-hung outboards while others have a bracket. (We wont go into name-calling here, but the actual term for the cavitation plate is an anti-ventilation plate.) What Kind of Fuel Does Your Marine Engine Need? Amazon has plate extensions to allow adjustments without buying a new motor: T-H Marine Jack Plate Extension. Generally, short shaft outboards are 15 inches, long shaft outboards are 20 inches, and extra-long outboards are 25 inches. Knowing how this can affect the overall operation of the boat is a factor to be considered. Repowering your boat is one of the most expensive upgrades you can make. If it measures anywhere from 17" to around 22", then your going to want to go with a long shaft motor. Step 3: Add another 10 cm (4'') to the previous calculation for the final ideal shaft length. It is possible that the motor could hang low while transporting on the boat trailer causing future boat repairs. This is simply a measurement taken from the top of the transom (top of Expectedly, when the transom angle is zero, it means it is flat. 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. Thats it. A retired ship captain, Charpentier holds a doctorate in applied ocean science and engineering. 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. Place the rulers end on the ground behind the club and let the club to rest on top of it. High powered boats usually only come in long and extra-long variants. 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? var h = d.getElementsByTagName("head"), boats.com, 1221 Brickell Avenue, 23rd Floor, Miami, FL 33131, USA. loadScript(ptScript); These are vertically aligned so the boater can make adjustments. The faster your boat, the more critical it is to get the sizing just right. Youll need a short shaft outboard if its 15 or less than an inch shorter. not sure that it's still used. bassboat can be a bit confusing at times; hopefully this will help sort 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. For most boaters this is a no brainer, but for the novice or inexperienced boater it may be a tougher question. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". It varies between different motors and boats. Engine Oil Type Genuine or Recommended 2str Engine Oil. Copyright 2017 Dealer Spike All Rights Reserved. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This is the dimension you'll need when selecting a width for your outboard motor's mounting bracket. Beginning boaters should be aware of the boats measurements. So how to measure outboard shaft length? If you said something smaller than that, thats where it can get tricky. Oftentimes you will want to adjust the outboard shaft length in order to improve the boat performance such as speed. What is the Virtual Sundance Film Festival? Workboats, sailboats, and displacement-hulled boats fall into this category. I show you how to consistently measure your prop to pad height. The prop will be in cleaner, harder water as it advances farther aft, making it more efficient. 5/rC,aQhsK@Q. Your goal is to measure how the outboard will sit, so start from the clamping plate and follow the centerline of the hull. publicId: "32bf3437d1346295e03ebcf545f9c839", Outboards designed for saltwater applications usually have longer shafts. Here we will guide you in how to get the right boat transom height. Youll also want to pay attention when youre in shallow water because your prop will be lower than normal. All things considered, sticking with the industry standard is best for the beginner. Check out the Westshore Marine & Leisure google plus page! actually have the propshaft above the pad.). Most transom savers can support up to a 150HP motor, which is sufficient for most regular boats. What is Transom Height? One of the main concerns is causing the engine to overheat if not enough water reaches the engine to keep it cool. You can order an outboard in lengths ranging from 15 inches to 30 inches, depending on its power output and possible uses. 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 straight down to the lowest point on the hull. If you went too long it would still work but it may lack in performance. For boats equipped with a bracket, calculate the same measurement but based on the bracket and not the transom. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Why wont Touch ID be under the screen in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16? Follow Westshore Marine & Leisure on Twitter! } He is a The boater must also consider if the boat transom support is designed to bear the weight of a higher mount. If you go too short your more than likely going to cavitate and loose power. I also love helping others, which is why I created this website. Depending on the manufacturer, size names might change. Your email address will not be published. Another important measurement is the transom angle. 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. <>/ExtGState<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 595.2 841.8] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Measure from the top of the transom to the bottom of the hull. The outboard comes with mounting holes and brackets. The first step is to determine the height of your boat's transom. Higher mounting decisions should be left to the professionals. MPW eBay Store - Thousands of New OEM Old Stock Parts! If it measures anywhere from 17" to around 22", then your going to want to go with a long shaft motor. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The boater must also consider if the boat transomsupport is designed to bear the weight of a higher mount. To sum up, there is a simple calculator of the shaft length for outboard motors: Outboard Shaft Length = Transom Height +/- Factors. Each one has a totally different effect on the boats performance. 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. Get the latest updates on new products and upcoming sales, 2023 Marine Parts Warehouse Incorporated endobj #1: Height https:/. 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. (In the case of the faster However, there may be times when a boater strays away from these recommendations. How do you measure a transom on an outboard motor? To do so, you will want to measure at the exact center of the transom from the very top to the very bottom. xmlHttp.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'application/json'); The height of the boat transom dictates the size of the outboard motor. The clamp bracket on the latest Mercury Four-Stoke-model outboards has five mounting bolt holes spaced .75 inches apart. However, you will need an understanding of how the degrees will alter the boats usability. Raising the motor increases the speed of the boat while decreasing the effort needed to turn the boat. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Keep these numbers in mind if you ever have a need for a new outboard motor for your boat. C Cheaptoon Cadet Joined Aug 4, 2010 Messages 28 Aug 24, 2010 #4 Re: Motor height on pontoon? The transom angle is the vertical incline of the transom and is measured in degrees. A reversetransom that sits too high can impact the propellers of the motor and motor bracket. The standard shaft length for most outboard engines less than 125 horsepower is 20 inches. This is measured by the propeller shaft being parallel to the vessels bottom. 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. Boaters who consider going with a higher mount can see increased speeds. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; straight edge from the center of the pad, but this time you're measuring Then, you can pick the right engine. If it measures between 17 and 22, you'll want to go with a long shaft motor. There is a simple test to see if your outboard motor is set at the best height. Take your time and understand your boat and your entire transom. To achieve 35 mph with a 6 hp engine, the total weight is 135 lbs (boat motor fuel passengers). Then open up the clamp bucket. Mounting the outboard a little bit lower than the standard point could avoid the possible ventilation and slip on acceleration. 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). Later in the article is an image that shows you exactly where to measure. 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. But in many cases, its a little more complicated than that alone. The collapsing bubbles are loaded with extremely low-pressure water vapor, which causes damage to a variety of surfaces as they collapse. The pressure behind your hand dropped as you slid your hand back and forth through the water. Then finally test your outboard, if the mount is perfect.

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