The boat transom can be flat with zero degree angles. It is extremely important that the boater understands the significance of the transoms height. Engine Oil Mixing Ratio Fuel 50: Engine Oil 1. His works have appeared in regional newspapers in North Dakota and in "North Dakota Horizons" and "Cowboys and Indians" magazines. See diagram below. All boats are different, and the motor manufacturers produce a variety of standard lengths. In addition, motor totes will not harm the finish of the lower unit. Also, the boat will be more likely to hit bottom or submerge objects such as rocks or logs. Then, you can pick the right engine. Mounting the outboard a little bit lower than the standard point could avoid the possible ventilation and slip on acceleration. Other boats that need long shafts are. (function () { My family and I used it to fish, ski (yes, you can ski behind a pontoon boat), and cruise the lakes near our home. Knowing how this can affect the overall operation of the boat is a factor to be considered. But, how do you measure it? Small portable outboards ranging from 2 to 20 horsepower are usually sold only in short or long shaft versions. This exhaust port should be about 1 inch above the water line when the boat is idling. While this is the case there is certain saltwater motors that are extra extra long at 30. While this is the case there is certain saltwater motors that are extra extra long at 30 and 35 shaft. The motor is what powers the boat so the two go hand-in-hand. Actually there is no designated letter for short shaft. Finding the right size is a matter of looking at what youve got and taking out the measuring tape. Measure straight down to the lowest point on the hull. This alone can outweigh the negatives when deciding to adjust the mount upwards. The cavitation plate is the horizontal surface of the lower unit immediately above the propeller. These are vertically aligned so the boater can make adjustments. These two measurements will give you the length of the shaft you need. If you decide to make some custom adjustments we have theexperience and know-howto make it happen. 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. It is extremely important that the boater understands the significance of the transom's height. clearInterval(interval); 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. 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. Later in the article is an image that shows you exactly where to measure. Commonly, the transom angle ranges from 0-30 degrees, with the average transom angle set at 14 degrees. Before we start measuring the outboard shaft length, lets get it clear about whats referring to when we talk about the outboard shaft length. Read the following to get the optimal shaft length for outboard motors! trimming the motor out by one-half to full trim. The motor is what powers the boat so the two go hand-in-hand. Amazon has plate extensions to allow adjustments without buying a new motor: T-H Marine Jack Plate Extension. How to Measure Shaft Length on Outboard Motor? - TrollinMotorsGuide Any owner seeking the last bit of speed from an outboard-powered boat should grab a yard stick. Read the measurement on the transoms bottom. Displacement hulled vessels like sailboats and workboats can benefit from a little more space between the hull and cavitation plate, but not much. Its where the outboard motor is attached, and its also where some boat owners put the boats name. 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. If it measures between 17 and 22, youll want to go with a long shaft motor. maxMicroAmount: 0.0, debugMode: false, 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. Most transom savers can support up to a 150HP motor, which is sufficient for most regular boats. }) } }); })(document); Take a long straight edge, (long carpenter's level or long Each one has a totally different effect on the boats performance. Height Measurement: Recommended Shaft Length: 14" - 17.25" 15" Shaft (Short) 17.25" - 19.5" Varies by application 19.5" - 22.5" primeApr: 12.99, Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You Always weigh the risks of making adjustments. The transom angle is the vertical incline of the transom and is measured in degrees. Shaft lengths are available in increments of 5. measuring; you may have to "extend" the flat part of the 7. (127 mm). This allows the engine to idle without the flow of the exhaust being restricted. To achieve 35 mph with a 6 hp engine, the total weight is 135 lbs (boat motor fuel passengers). Also, how do you determine the length of an outboard transom? Doing this can have adverse effects. Again, make sure that you are measuring to the flat part of the brackets; The form of a boats transom varies depending on the manufacturer and model. With the long side (22 1/2), place a carpenters square ) in opposition to the keel. If it measures 15" or with in a inch of that you will need a short shaft outboard. Basically, there are three main ways to measure motor Most of the standard engined boats it takes shafts that are 15-30inches long. To sum up, there is a simple calculator of the shaft length for outboard motors: Outboard Shaft Length = Transom Height +/- Factors. former editor at Boating Magazine and contributor to many national publications x\[D~OUCO6[j](l%ay <8cylY{.L2s#]~U6A|Wj]-oo|mubqY6wbY_|!>Z8(RB:RHeTzOGO_=~t\ 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. A transom saver, which can change the spacing between the lower unit and the trailer, negates some of the support. Your goal is to measure how the outboard will sit, so start from the clamping plate and follow the centerline of the hull. 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? The rearmost structural member of your boat, it not only distributes the stress of the hull generated by the bow's impact as it cleaves the water, it's the place you hang your outboard motor. In the case of a larger offshore boat, it may be to the top of a cutout on the . The propellers will also have trouble reaching the water. Since the length of the shaft of your outboard is associated with the size boat, smaller engines will generally have shorter shafts. You will also risk hitting bottom or submerge objects more frequently such as rocks or logs. 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. Kicker Motor Shaft Length - This Old Boat - Lake Ontario United - Lake He is also a certified marine technician and the author of a popular text on writing local history. What is Transom Height? 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. One of the great things about an outboard motor is how versatile it is. |. Since the ventilation plate & foil are burried under water it is obviously too low. Here we will guide you in how to get the right boat transom height. 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. 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. Boat Transom Heights The Beginners Guide, Buying a boat can be an exciting purchase. Wherever the outboard clamping bracket is, use this as the basis for measurement. The brackets can add 1 inch to the overall mounting height of the outboard. help with shaft length for a kicker - iboats Boating Forums Over time, Boating Hub has grown into a resource for boating enthusiasts around world. Follow Westshore Marine & Leisure on Twitter! gtag('js', new Date()); Triton. While this is the case there is certain saltwater motors that are extra extra long at 30 and 35 shaft. s.setAttribute("href", "https://cdn.paytomorrow.com/css/pt-mpe.min.css"); And thats usually the case since the electric outboards are designed with larger and more efficient propeller that needs longer shaft. 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. C Cheaptoon Cadet Joined Aug 4, 2010 Messages 28 Aug 24, 2010 #4 Re: Motor height on pontoon? All things considered, sticking with the industry standard is best for the beginner. 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 = d.createElement("link"); maxTerm: 36, The distance between the ends of a transom is measured in inches. You can order an outboard in lengths ranging from 15 inches to 30 inches, depending on its power output and possible uses. What the relationship to the pontoons is, I couldn't say. jackplate to a point level with the top of the transom. MPW eBay Store - Thousands of New OEM Old Stock Parts! 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. a Detwiler manual jackplate. (We wont go into name-calling here, but the actual term for the cavitation plate is an anti-ventilation plate.) Smaller 12-14 foot boats can require either a short or long shaft outboard depending on the style of the boat and the brand. Raising the motor increases the speed of the boat while decreasing the effort needed to turn the boat. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. On the downside, a higher mount can interfere with the boaters steering capabilities. Mounting kicker motor - General Discussion Forum | In-Depth Outdoors 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. } How to Measure Transom Height For vessels with transom-mounted outboards, you can easily figure out which type of outboard you need to get. MarinePartsMan.com also says that V6 bass-boat engines have a 20-inch shaft. This will keep the prop in the water when the boat pitches in waves, or hobby-horses. Be sure to measure carefully and research thoroughly before diving in. Here we look at the effects of standard, lower and higher mounting. Mounting the outboard motor in accordance with the industry standards is important. Picking the right shaft length is mostly a factor of the transom height or the back of the boat. Pad to bottom of But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. How high exactly do you have to raise the transom?-. This is simply a measurement taken from the top of the transom (top of Motor height on pontoon? | Boating Forum - iboats Boating Forums Get the latest updates on new products and upcoming sales, 2023 Marine Parts Warehouse Incorporated This would not be a good thing. var h = d.getElementsByTagName("head"), (function (d) { resting on the transom if you had the motor all the way down on the boat If it measures anywhere from 17" to around 22", then your going to want to go with a long shaft motor. Step 2 requires the propeller's radius (check the user manual and then the technical drawing). Buying a boat can be an exciting purchase. The first order of business is to measure your boat for the ideal fit. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You must be still in the blue about that matter. Measuring the shaft length can be done in various ways, but the most common way is by using a tape measure. Before we get started lets see what a boat transom is and what it does. LOYALHEARTDY Outboard Motor 6 HP 2-Stroke Inflatable Fishing Boat When the right length motor is hung on the transom of a boat, the cavitation plate (the large plate that extends out over the propeller) should be even with the very bottom of the boat. If so, send me an Another important measurement is the transom angle. This, however, is not recommended for the beginning boater. What are Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and Channels? Long Shaft vs. Short Shaft Outboard (What Are the Differences?) The first step is to determine the height of your boat's transom. Next, measure from your centerline to where the outboard will be mounted on each side. Most of the time, adding a hydrofoil to an outboard improves performance. The engine may be lifted one inch for every eight to ten inches of distance between the transom and the prop, according to a boat riggers rule of thumb. Higher mounting decisions should be left to the professionals. If your boat planes, pay extra attention to getting the shaft length as close to perfect as possible. However, your boat will have slightly more drag which will reduce your maximum speed. (In the case of the faster To do so, take a measurement from the very top to the very bottom of the transom in the precise center. If the height of the boat transom is off it can cause major issues. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The standard shaft length for most outboard engines less than 125 horsepower is 20 inches. Higher mounting decisions should be left to the professionals. The pros and cons of properly . addyd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 = addyd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 + 'vanssports' + '.' + 'com'; 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. I also love helping others, which is why I created this website. This is measured by the propeller shaft being parallel to the vessels bottom. Among them will be first-timers or those who have recently purchased their boats. If your outboard motor height. displayPrimeOffers: true, Allowing the propeller to pull water from underneath and push it out behind the boat. Pretty easy to figure out but like I said its crucial to pairing a motor with a boat. Its still smart to measure it yourself though, just in case, the design changed over the years. hulls, such as Allisons, Bullets, Strokers, etc., this measurement could up to the bottom of the motor brackets, (as in #1). Or it can have an angle degree as high as 30. 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. Gear case sits just below or at the hull depth due to the deep v. The greater the number, the more the drive may sway (also called tuck under or negative trim). Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. You can use a longer shaft than recommended and your boat will work fine. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Boat transomangles play a pivotal role in the flexibility of the boats trimming abilities. When the boattransom is too low, the motor could end up underwater. Generally, short shaft outboards are 15 inches, long shaft outboards are 20 inches, and extra-long outboards are 25 inches. This could also affect your travelling capabilities on the boat trailer. 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. Simply start with the engine in idle, followed by, If you decide to make some custom adjustments we have the. This could also effect your travelling capabilities on the boat trailer. Any questions? When fighting waves from the stern, a 20-inch transom is considerably safer. If you have a small boat with a 15 to 17 inch aft transom, youll most likely need a short shaft outboard. There are instances where a lower mount may be okay. 2 0 obj So from there, I will try to help out by asking questions about your boat such as what type it is and the length. The mounting height of the outboard engine is the equivalent of the distance between the base of the motor and the top of the propeller. PDF Outboard shaft lengths and transoms - Boat Builder Central Required fields are marked *. 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. How-To: Pick A Great Portable Outboard Motor (2023 Guide) var h = d.getElementsByTagName("head"), You dont have to be a mathematician to determine the correct boat transomangle. There is a simple test to see if your outboard motor is set at the best height. logoColor: "original", 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. will be to the flat part; if you measure to the bottom of the brackets The shaft length for outboard motors has nothing to do with the water line. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Buying a boat can be an exciting purchase. The transom is the flat vertical section at the rear of the boat. It is extremely important that the boater understands the significance of the transoms height. Brackets are also handy for boats that do not have flat transoms, like canoe-stern sailboats or fan-tailed motor vessels. Boat transom angles play a pivotal role in the flexibility of the boats trimming abilities. A long shaft engine requires a height of 20 and extra-long shaft engines will need a transom height of 25. If it measures anywhere from 17" to around 22", then your going to want to go with a long shaft motor. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". displayMicroOffers: false, 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 have a question or need additional information. With a jack plate, you can mount it exactly where you want it. 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. With it comes a lot of responsibility and new things to learn including boat maintenance and boat basics. I live for the weekends when I can go out on the water and escape the stress of life on land. With it comes a lot of responsibility and new things to learn includingboat maintenanceand boat basics. If you decide to make adjustments, please consult a marine engine dealer about the boat design. s.setAttribute("src", script); 3 0 obj Check out some hot FAQs to help you get the proper outboard shaft lengths. (616) 364-0666, On all contiguous US part orders over $100. A long shaft engine requires a height of 20 and extra-long shaft engines will need a transom height of 25. Bass boats, ski boats, or center cockpit vessels will want to double-check their measurements to get it just right. If you have a fast boat, getting the outboards cavitation plate at the same level of the hull will ensure quick hole shot and fast top-end speeds. Top 10 Choices for Boaters, Mercury Introduces 600HP V12 Verado Outboard Engine, The Outboard Expert: Tohatsu Propane Outboard Engine. It also cuts into speed and fuel efficiency. Add yours in the comment and Ill get back to you asap. The transom is the flat vertical section at the rear of the boat. A: The answer varies by boat, but here are some rules of thumb for matching a short shaft outboard to your boat. Beginning boaters should be aware of the boats measurements. Smaller boats may use adjustable jack plates that can be changed to fit any outboard. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Yes, if there is adequate space while the engine is tilted in the up position, a larger shaft length than what is specified may be used. Transom Outboard Engine Position - YouTube Basically, there are three main ways to measure motor height (that I'm aware of); probably the most common is: # 1: Height of the motor off the transom This is simply a measurement taken from the top of the transom (top of the aluminum plate on top of the transom), to the bottom of the motor "brackets". The average transom angle is around 14 degrees. Take the center measurement from the top to the bottom of the hull. In extremes, the engine can have overheating problems if the boat is raised to a point where the water inlets for the cooling system are out of the water. This distance is very important to the performance of you boat. A deep Vee hull will result in a different measurement than a flatter . :$I>M W$h"%U_yzIb?]NHg_G|r@nX eTf."SQ Figuring out how to measure motor height on a Although the longer outboard shaft length can lead to lower speed and more drag, the boat can push a heavier load. Boats that use longer outboard shafts include: Because of the increased friction, cavitation reduces efficiency. 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). The how to measure the shaft length of an outboard motor is a question that many people have asked. In the photo above, we've measured from the motor bracket to the top of Before we get started lets see what a boat transom is and what it does. It is possible that the motor could hang low while transporting on the boat trailer causing future boat repairs. 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. 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: Any boat that has a 21 to 27 inch aft transom will need an extra long shaft outboard. If it measures between 17 and 22, you'll want to go with a long shaft motor. brackets. Follow Westshore Marine & Leisure on Wordpress! 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. #2. Outboard Motor Shaft Length: How do I measure? Increased RPM and additional horsepower feed the need for speed. boats.com, 1221 Brickell Avenue, 23rd Floor, Miami, FL 33131, USA. You also might not be able to lift the outboard out of the water entirely for storage. Outboard shaft length plays a crucial role in the performance of your boat. of the motor off the transom The height of the boat transom dictates the size of the outboard motor. Then finally test your outboard, if the mount is perfect. This placement is not only recommended but it will give you the best performance compared to something that is too long or too short. Should I take the raft onto the water and measure the exact distance from the top of the transom to the water line? You dont have to be a mathematician to determine the correct boat transom angle. and I'll explain it better, (or point you to someone that can help.
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