Disclaimer: As an affiliate I may earn a commission on any qualifying purchases, including those from Amazon.com, at no extra cost to you read more. Mounting the outboard motor in accordance with the industry standards is important. 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. For example, you can have the Mercury outboard shaft length by model code. Doing this can have adverse effects. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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. Copyright 2017 Dealer Spike All Rights Reserved. It will ensure that the outboards trim will be effective, and it will save you gas too. Always weigh the risks of making adjustments. My family and I used it to fish, ski (yes, you can ski behind a pontoon boat), and cruise the lakes near our home. Add the two measurements and you get 6 1/2". There are a series of four to six holes at the top of the bracket, and the lower bolts actually fit into slots. Ill also explain the difference between short and long shafts and how they vary by type of boat. 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. Mounting kicker motor - General Discussion Forum | In-Depth Outdoors High powered boats usually only come in long and extra-long variants. You dont have to be a mathematician to determine the correct boat transomangle. Transom Outboard Engine Position - YouTube #2. Plus, a low transom cut is an invitation for the water to flood the boat. Cavitation is when the propeller is out of the water due to the boat forming a wake of "air bubbles" or "vapor cavities" around the prop. 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. % Say the 20 shaft is a long shaft length for gas engines, but it is a short shaft length for electric outboard motors. Should I take the raft onto the water and measure the exact distance from the top of the transom to the water line? Mounting the outboard motor in accordance with the industry standards is important. The clamp bracket on the latest Mercury Four-Stoke-model outboards has five mounting bolt holes spaced .75 inches apart. This is the dimension you'll need when selecting a width for your outboard motor's mounting bracket. Oftentimes you will want to adjust the outboard shaft length in order to improve the boat performance such as speed. 5/rC,aQhsK@Q. and I'll explain it better, (or point you to someone that can help. Gear Oil Quantity 195ml(6.6 Fl.oz.) 2019s List of the Best Recreational Pontoon Boats for Sale. s.setAttribute("type", "text/javascript"); The boat transom can be flat with zero degree angles. Some fishing boats can handle the motor being underwater. In the case of a dinghy or johnboat, this point may be the top of the transom. You'll need a short shaft outboard if it's 15 or less than an inch shorter. How high exactly do you have to raise the transom?-. However, the shaft length for smaller boats could be long or short depending on its style, speed requirement, etc. Another important measurement is the transom angle. maxAmount: 6500.0, Measure from the top of the transom to the bottom of the hull. See When St. Peters Basketball Games Are Today! 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. maxMicroAmount: 0.0, There are instances where a lower mount may be okay. No one wants to have issues with a new transom or boat repairs. var BCData = {"csrf_token":"d7ecb6b56891bb66aee12dbc01a80162b3ed582c1acbe30f16fc9f1b2abc362f"}; The propellers will also have trouble reaching the water. 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. ensure that your measurement is accurate. I run a 9.9 Mercury Bigfoot 20" shaft off the swim platform of my 89 Trophy 2160. Measure the area of the transom directly where the engine will be mounted. How do you measure a transom on an outboard motor? since 1986. How To Measure Outboard Motor Shaft Length [Long v Short] - Boating Hub Simply start with the engine in idle, followed bytrimming the motor out by one-half to full trim. It does not store any personal data. Problems with getting the ventilation plate too low include slower hole-shot and lower top-end speeds. This measurement is primarily designed for single motor propulsion. a Detwiler manual jackplate. *The Factors indicates the adjustment affected by on your boat type, the outboard working environment, and the transom distance as discussed above. How Low Should a Motor Set on a Pontoon Boat? (Explained) Keep these numbers in mind if you ever have a need for a new outboard motor for your boat. If it measures anywhere from 17" to around 22", then your going to want to go with a long shaft motor. This exhaust port should be about 1 inch above the water line when the boat is idling. With a jack plate, you can mount it exactly where you want it. Before we get started lets see what a boat transom is and what it does. 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. Check the literature about your model boat online, and you may be surprised to find that the number is published for you. To measure the transom height, measure from the center on for transom (rear of the boat). 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. So you should just measure the height of the boat's transom from the center down to the lowest point of the hull, and compare transom height with the outboard shaft length numbers. Is my outboard long or short shaft? The Effects of Standard, Lower and Higher Mounting. 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. To do so, you will want to measure at the exact center of the transom from the very top to the very bottom. As you can see, the measurement is about 2 1/2". I live for the weekends when I can go out on the water and escape the stress of life on land. When mounting the engine, you want the cavitation plate to be 1 above the boat bottom for every 12 away from the transom. This is measured by the propeller shaft being parallel to the vessels bottom. The clamp bracket is designed so that the engine's mounting height on the transom can be adjusted higher than standard. How to Measure Shaft Length on Outboard Motor? - TrollinMotorsGuide With some boats I have a pretty good idea as to what length motor should be hung on them. Remember, if you use a longer outboard shaft than you need you will be increasing your draft. MPW eBay Store - Thousands of New OEM Old Stock Parts! What Is the Transom of a Boat? EXPLAINED - My Cruiser Life Safely but briskly accelerate. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". If you went too long it would still work but it may lack in performance. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. But, how do you measure it? In lower mounting, the engine is set lower than the recommended standard. This placement is not only recommended but it will give you the best performance compared to something that is too long or too short. It also includes attaching the right engine. The vertical distance between the interior of the clamp and the cavitation plate is the shaft length specified by the outboard manufacturer. 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. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. You can find your Mercury outboard model code on an ID plate or sticker. The outboard comes with mounting holes and brackets. 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. Will Charpentier is a writer who specializes in boating and maritime subjects. While this is the case there is certain saltwater motors that are extra extra long at 30 and 35 shaft. jackplate to a point level with the top of the transom. You will also risk hitting bottom or submerge objects more frequently such as rocks or logs. It is extremely important that the boater understands the significance of the transoms height. Proper Mounting Height for an Outboard - Gone Outdoors <>/Metadata 127 0 R/ViewerPreferences 128 0 R>> Then finally test your outboard, if the mount is perfect. In lower mounting, the engine is set lower than the recommended standard. 1 0 obj 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. Typical motor lengths include the following. Amazon has plate extensions to allow adjustments without buying a new motor: T-H Marine Jack Plate Extension. When fighting waves from the stern, a 20-inch transom is considerably safer. Its still smart to measure it yourself though, just in case, the design changed over the years. Any owner seeking the last bit of speed from an outboard-powered boat should grab a yard stick. Chances are the boat was designed with a specific size of outboard in mind. maxTerm: 36, By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Read the measurement on the transoms bottom. (Any measurement given as "off the transom" At least if its too long you can raise the motor or "build up" your transom. Brackets are also handy for boats that do not have flat transoms, like canoe-stern sailboats or fan-tailed motor vessels. In addition, motor totes will not harm the finish of the lower unit. Knowing how this can affect the overall operation of the boat is a factor to be considered. This allows the engine to idle without the flow of the exhaust being restricted. Generally, short shaft outboards are 15 inches, long shaft outboards are 20 inches, and extra-long outboards are 25 inches. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It doesnt matter if you have a fiberglass boat, bay boat, big or small boat. 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. Beyond motorboats designed for large outboards, you will see outboards hanging on the sterns of everything from small canoes to large cruising sailboats. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Each one has a totally different effect on the boats performance. Engine Oil Mixing Ratio Fuel 50: Engine Oil 1. Determining Your Boat Transom Angle The transom angle - commonly measured in degrees - is the transom's vertical inclination. s = d.createElement("script"); (function (d) { Raising the motor increases the speed of the boat while decreasing the effort needed to turn the boat. Why wont Touch ID be under the screen in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16? Mounting the outboard a little bit lower than the standard point could avoid the possible ventilation and slip on acceleration. The motor length corresponds to the transom height of the boat, measured from the keel to gunwale at the transom. A reverse transom that sits too high can impact the propellers of the motor and motor bracket. Outboard Motor Shaft Length & HP to Boat Calculating 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. Raising an outboard higher on the transom can reduce drag and raise top speed. Measure from there down to the top of the cavitation plate, also known as the anti-ventilation plate. What is the Virtual Sundance Film Festival? On this type of boat, if you are in doubt, default to the longer-shafted outboard. He is a You also might not be able to lift the outboard out of the water entirely for storage. The Best Way to Measure Prop to Pad | How to measure Outboard Motor Height 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. Like Westshore Marine & Leisure on Facebook! It varies between different motors and boats. Place the rulers end on the ground behind the club and let the club to rest on top of it. The cavitation plate is the horizontal surface of the lower unit immediately above the propeller. The first step is to determine the height of your boat's transom. There is a simple test to see if your outboard motor is set at the best height. "brackets". 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. With this in mind, how can I determine if my outboard has a short or long shaft? However, your boat will have slightly more drag which will reduce your maximum speed. If it measures between 17 and 22, youll want to go with a long shaft motor. An inch or two probably wont make a big difference, but any more than that will lead to trouble. With such an important, long-term, and expensive upgrade, its never a bad idea to double-check. Generally, the anti-ventilation plate on most engines is aligned with the bottom of the vessel. Anything bigger than that your obviously going to need an extra long shaft. https:/. 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. xmlHttp.open('POST', 'https://bes.gcp.data.bigcommerce.com/nobot'); your motor will be higher.) The average transom angle is around 14 degrees. 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. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. It also decreases the boats lift and increases the time it takes for the boat to reach plane. 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). of the motor off the transom Not to measure boat speed, but to gauge the mounting height of the outboard motor on the boat transom. 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. s.setAttribute("href", "https://cdn.paytomorrow.com/css/pt-mpe.min.css"); motor brackets The boat transom can be flat with zero degree angles. Smaller 12-14 foot boats can require either a short or long shaft outboard depending on the style of the boat and the brand. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. stream 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". 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. Simply start with the engine in idle, followed by trimming the motor out by one-half to full trim. })(); If you said something smaller than that, thats where it can get tricky. The motor is what powers the boat so the two go hand-in-hand. However, the motor should not be raised more than 5 inches above the standard position. Outboard Motor Shaft Length: How do I measure? Guide to Boat Transom Heights - Marine Parts Warehouse How to Find Your Shaft Length | ePropulsion It is extremely important that the boater understands the significance of the transoms height. | Sitemap, The Marine Parts Warehouse Outboard Museum, OBR Powerhead / Shortblock Warranty Claim Form, Remanufactured vs. 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. So how to measure outboard shaft length? }, 100); Because of the increased friction, cavitation reduces efficiency. One of the main concerns is causing the engine to overheat if not enough water reaches the engine to keep it cool. 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. 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. However, you will need an understanding of how the degrees will alter the boats usability. Most of the time, adding a hydrofoil to an outboard improves performance. Most of the standard engined boats it takes shafts that are 15-30inches long. This is also known as the shaft length. Spark Plug 25.0nm(18.4 Ft-lb) (2.55 Kgf-m) measuring; you may have to "extend" the flat part of the Look at the part of your motor that would be s.setAttribute("rel", "stylesheet"); Required fields are marked *. How Transom Height Is Measured What's the best height for my boat motor? endobj Keep these numbers in mind if you ever have a need for a new outboard motor for your boat. 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. parallel with the straight edge. Height Measurement: Recommended Shaft Length: 14" - 17.25" 15" Shaft (Short) 17.25" - 19.5" Varies by application 19.5" - 22.5" This also means it can affect the safety of the boat. This is probably the worst case scenario out of the two. (616) 364-0666, On all contiguous US part orders over $100. the aluminum plate on top of the transom), to the bottom of the motor Increased RPM and additional horsepower feed the need for speed. Or it can have an angle degree as high as 30. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. For slower boats, its less critical to. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. If you have a question or need additional information. Gear case sits just below or at the hull depth due to the deep v. Although the longer outboard shaft length can lead to lower speed and more drag, the boat can push a heavier load. The transom is the boats flat vertical part at the back. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Outboard Motor Shaft Length - LeeRoy's Ramblings All things considered, sticking with the industry standard is best for the beginner. 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. When measuring the transom height, you should start from the hull's bottom at the boat's center line up to the top of the transom. out the confusion. Step 2: Three Variables to Consider The height of the boat transom dictates the size of the outboard motor. As mentioned above, the operation of the propeller relies on the transom height. bassboat can be a bit confusing at times; hopefully this will help sort It is possible that the motor could hang low while transporting on the boat trailer causing future boat repairs. Mounting the motor lower on the boat transom can create excessive spray, increase case drag, reduce underwater clearance, and negatively impact faster boats. Industry standards dictate that for short shaft engines the transom height should be 15. Always weigh the risks of making adjustments. 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). I would also recommend finding your maximum horsepower rating which is located on the yellow coast guard tag towards the back of your boat. How the outboard will sit on the back of the boat depends on how the transom is designed. want to measure from the transom to the flat part of this bracket, Use the mounting bracket on the motor to know where it will sit on the 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. A reversetransom that sits too high can impact the propellers of the motor and motor bracket. 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. A long shaft engine requires a height of 20 and extra-long shaft engines will need a transom height of 25. For boats equipped with a bracket, calculate the same measurement but based on the bracket and not the transom. There is a simple test to see if your outboard motor is set at the best height. Before we get started lets see what a boat transom is and what it does. MarinePartsMan.com also says that V6 bass-boat engines have a 20-inch shaft. If you are running a slower boat, the exact location of the ventilation plate is less important. However, the motor should not be raised more than 5 inches above the standard position. This is simply a measurement taken from the top of the transom (top of 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. 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. Theyre also useful if the back of your boat has a non-standard measurement. A2: Instead of changing to the short outboard shaft, you can try the Jack Plate first. 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. Bass boats, ski boats, or center cockpit vessels will want to double-check their measurements to get it just right. Then open up the clamp bucket. The standard shaft length for most outboard engines less than 125 horsepower is 20 inches. up to the bottom of the motor brackets, (as in #1). C Cheaptoon Cadet Joined Aug 4, 2010 Messages 28 Aug 24, 2010 #4 Re: Motor height on pontoon? Beginning boaters should be aware of the boats measurements. Some outboards have a serial number that tells you which shaft length to go for. On the downside, a higher mount can interfere with the boaters steering capabilities. How to Measure a Boat Transom - Gone Outdoors This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Safely but briskly accelerate. When the boat transom is too low, the motor could end up underwater. Top 10 Choices for Boaters, Mercury Introduces 600HP V12 Verado Outboard Engine, The Outboard Expert: Tohatsu Propane Outboard Engine. gtag('js', new Date()); Take a long straight edge, (long carpenter's level or long 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. This will ensure the best performance. hulls, such as Allisons, Bullets, Strokers, etc., this measurement could #3. As summer approaches there will be more boaters taking to the water. What Types of Documents Can be Sent to your Kindle Library? What is a Transom Saver And Do I Need One? - Boat Safe Trimming in, trimming down, and trimming out are all terms that a beginning boater should learn. These two measurements will give you the length of the shaft you need. Motor height on pontoon? | Boating Forum - iboats Boating Forums to where the brackets were actually resting on the transom. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Commonly, the transom angle ranges from 0-30 degrees, with the average transom angle set at 14 degrees. It is extremely important that the boater understands the significance of the transom's height. Many boat transoms are modified to use a different length of outboard by using a bracket. In step 3, add another 10 cm (4") to the previous calculation in order to develop the ideal shaft length. Trimming in, trimming down, and trimming out are all terms that a beginning boater should learn. Many single-engine boats mount a smaller auxiliary motor for emergency use. logoColor: "original", Some boats are equipped with transom-hung outboards while others have a bracket. 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. bracket forward with a straight edge to where you can then measure up It is where the outboard is mounted, and some boat owners place the name of the boat. 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. Beginning boaters should be aware of the boats measurements. What is Transom Height? Allowing the propeller to pull water from underneath and push it out behind the boat. This, however, is not recommended for the beginning boater. On the downside, a higher mount can interfere with the boaters steering capabilities. Outboard motors can be fitted to a variety of boats, so manufacturers have standardized their engines to go on virtually anything. straight edge on the top of the transom to "extend" it out 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.
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