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}, 100); Mounting the outboard motor in accordance with the industry standards is important. Where Onboard a Boat is the Transom Located and More About Transom Heights A propeller operates based on the height of the transom. boats.com, 1221 Brickell Avenue, 23rd Floor, Miami, FL 33131, USA. Height Measurement: Recommended Shaft Length: 14" - 17.25" 15" Shaft (Short) 17.25" - 19.5" Varies by application 19.5" - 22.5" Follow Westshore Marine & Leisure on Wordpress! Add the two measurements and you get 6 1/2". To do so, take a measurement from the very top to the very bottom of the transom in the precise center. actually have the propshaft above the pad.). I run a 9.9 Mercury Bigfoot 20" shaft off the swim platform of my 89 Trophy 2160. bassboat can be a bit confusing at times; hopefully this will help sort It will ensure that the outboards trim will be effective, and it will save you gas too. 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. Small portable outboards ranging from 2 to 20 horsepower are usually sold only in short or long shaft versions. AztH ^zv_ cT,E1K/rAB54| Engine Oil Type Genuine or Recommended 2str Engine Oil. 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. var ptScript = "https://cdn.paytomorrow.com/js/pt-mpe.min.js"; measuring; you may have to "extend" the flat part of the If you decide to make some custom adjustments we have theexperience and know-howto make it happen. However, there may be times when a boater strays away from these recommendations. Smaller 12-14 foot boats can require either a short or long shaft outboard depending on the style of the boat and the brand. As mentioned above, the operation of the propeller relies on the transom height. These are vertically aligned so the boater can make adjustments. To achieve this, the motor itself has to be attached at the correct height. Boat transomangles play a pivotal role in the flexibility of the boats trimming abilities. Recommended Engine Oil 2-Stroke Outboard Motor Oil. Wherever the outboard clamping bracket is, use this as the basis for measurement. There are 2 steps to help get a relatively accurate figure. Other boats that need long shafts are. You can order an outboard in lengths ranging from 15 inches to 30 inches, depending on its power output and possible uses. The transom is the back of the boat where the motor is hung. The propellers will also have trouble reaching the water. Smaller inflatables and dinghies needshort shaft motors, whilst bigger boats require long or, in some circumstances, extreme long shaft versions. Then adjust the motor in a higher hole with a flat head screwdriver. disregard the downward pointing "hooks" at the front of the To make the yard stick long enough to measure the length of all the clubs, tape the ruler to the top. The standard shaft length for most outboard engines less than 125 horsepower is 20 inches. If it measures between 17 and 22, youll want to go with a long shaft motor. 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. While this is the case there is certain saltwater motors that are extra extra long at 30 and 35 shaft. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. With a jack plate, you can mount it exactly where you want it. Measuring the shaft length can be done in various ways, but the most common way is by using a tape measure. Re: Dinghy with a long shaft motor? and I'll explain it better, (or point you to someone that can help. Happy boating! Pad to bottom of He is also a certified marine technician and the author of a popular text on writing local history. If the height of the boat transom is off it can cause major issues. Other boats that need extra long shafts are: Read my other articles on outboard motors. var addyd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 = 'info' + '@'; Raising an outboard higher on the transom can reduce drag and raise top speed. When the boat transom is too low, the motor could end up underwater. As a yacht designer and boater, I prefer longer shafts. mpeSelector: ".pt-mpe", Pretty easy to figure out but like I said its crucial to pairing a motor with a boat. Smaller boats may use adjustable jack plates that can be changed to fit any outboard. Now that you have a better understanding of boat transom heights its time to take out the ruler and get the perfect measurements. If it measures anywhere from 17" to around 22", then your going to want to go with a long shaft motor. Plus, a low transom cut is an invitation for the water to flood the boat. Gear case sits just below or at the hull depth due to the deep v. Next, measure from your centerline to where the outboard will be mounted on each side. 2019s List of the Best Recreational Pontoon Boats for Sale. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Its important to note that manufacturers call their models different things. Beyond motorboats designed for large outboards, you will see outboards hanging on the sterns of everything from small canoes to large cruising sailboats. They operate as a planing surface, allowing your boat to climb to the top more quickly. It varies between different motors and boats. maxMicroAmount: 0.0, Knowing how this can affect the overall operation of the boat is a factor to be considered. What types of boat need an extra long shaft? An outboard motor can drive just about any sort of boat with proper mounting. 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. This is also known as the shaft length. Long shafts are 20-inches long. Trimming in, trimming down, and trimming out are all terms that a beginning boater should learn. And the rule of thumb is that you should keep the cavitation plate level with the bottom or keel of the boat. Safely but briskly accelerate. I mean it is better to be safe than sorry, am I right? This provides seaworthiness and offers maximum protection from large seas. This distance is very important to the performance of you boat. Buying a boat can be an exciting purchase. Whether your on a pontoon boat, fishing boat, or speedboat boating is always one of the best times you can have. To break it down a bit more for you: Short shafts are 15-inches long. Having the cavitation plate a bit lower than the transom is preferable to having it too high. In the case of a larger offshore boat, it may be to the top of a cutout on the . Here is a picture that shows you exactly where the outboard motor shaft length stands: Usually the shaft length for outboard motors falls into the following 4 sizes: In practice, you may find the outboard motor shaft length varies among different brands and manufacturers like the Honda,Suzuki, Yamaha, Torqeedo, etc. I hope this helps someone out in their search for a new or newer outboard this season. The transom is the boats flat vertical part at the back. One of the great things about an outboard motor is how versatile it is. Ill also explain the difference between short and long shafts and how they vary by type of boat. The performance of these boats depends on quite a lot of factors, but getting the outboard length just right is an essential first step. 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. It is possible that the motor could hang low while transporting on the boat trailer causing future boat repairs. This is measured by the propeller shaft being parallel to the vessels bottom. function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} Now that you have a better understanding of boat transom heights its time to take out the ruler and get the perfect measurements. minAmount: 300.0, Check out the Westshore Marine & Leisure google plus page! Keep these numbers in mind if you ever have a need for a new outboard motor for your boat. var BCData = {"csrf_token":"d7ecb6b56891bb66aee12dbc01a80162b3ed582c1acbe30f16fc9f1b2abc362f"}; Triton. height (that I'm aware of); probably the most common is: This is measured by the propeller shaft being parallel to the vessels bottom. August 9/08). function loadScript(script) { Before we start measuring the outboard shaft length, lets get it clear about whats referring to when we talk about the outboard shaft length. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; The prop will be in cleaner, harder water as it advances farther aft, making it more efficient. It can also improve the experience of driving a faster boat. Always weigh the risks of making adjustments. With this in mind, how can I determine if my outboard has a short or long shaft? Oftentimes you will want to adjust the outboard shaft length in order to improve the boat performance such as speed. So how to measure outboard shaft length? logoColor: "original", For over five years he has worked as a newspaper reporter and historic researcher. 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. Also, the boat will be more likely to hit bottom or submerge objects such as rocks or logs. primeApr: 12.99, publicId: "32bf3437d1346295e03ebcf545f9c839", 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. He is a Doing so, will put the propeller right below the boat. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". center of the propshaft. If you are running a slower boat, the exact location of the ventilation plate is less important. 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 transom is the flat vertical section at the rear of the boat. 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. How to Measure Transom Height For vessels with transom-mounted outboards, you can easily figure out which type of outboard you need to get. So if you are measuring the outboard shaft length for the powerboat, planing boat, or any boat for which the speed is the priority, take the outboard shaft length 1 to 1.5 (depending on your boat types) shorter than standard would be better. since 1986. var h = d.getElementsByTagName("head"), A deep Vee hull will result in a different measurement than a flatter . An inch or two probably wont make a big difference, but any more than that will lead to trouble. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Extra-long shafts are 25-inches long. 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. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Doing this can have adverse effects. 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. resting on the transom if you had the motor all the way down on the boat If you decide to make adjustments, please consult a marine engine dealer about the boatdesign. 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. Keep these numbers in mind if you ever have a need for a new outboard motor for your boat. Since the length of the shaft of your outboard is associated with the size boat, smaller engines will generally have shorter shafts. Other factors to consider when determining the mounting height of an outboard are related to performance. If you have a small boat with a 15 to 17 inch aft transom, youll most likely need a short shaft outboard. Mounting the motor lower on the boat transomcan createexcessive spray, increase case drag, reduce underwater clearance, and negatively impact faster boats. Depending on the manufacturer, size names might change. 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. Boaters who consider going with a higher mount can see increased speeds. The brackets can add 1 inch to the overall mounting height of the outboard. Or it can have an angle degree as high as 30. 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. In lower mounting, the engine is set lower than the recommended standard. 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. It doesnt matter if you have a fiberglass boat, bay boat, big or small boat. It doesnt matter if you have a fiberglass boat, bay boat, big or small boat. The propellers will also have trouble reaching the water. 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. Among them will be first-timers or those who have recently purchased their boats. endobj 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. Outboards designed for saltwater applications usually have longer shafts. There is a simple test to see if your outboard motor is set at the best height. 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. However, the motor should not be raised more than 5 inches above the standard position. If your outboard motor height. up to the bottom of the motor brackets, (as in #1). Boat hulls are designed in three basic types that range from slow displacement and semi-displacement hulls to the fastest planing hulls. The clamp bracket is designed so that the engine's mounting height on the transom can be adjusted higher than standard. I would ask you to go back and measure the transom of your boat. I live for the weekends when I can go out on the water and escape the stress of life on land. All things considered, sticking with the industry standard is best for the beginner. With the long side (22 1/2), place a carpenters square ) in opposition to the keel. 5/rC,aQhsK@Q. :$I>M W$h"%U_yzIb?]NHg_G|r@nX eTf."SQ The collapsing bubbles are loaded with extremely low-pressure water vapor, which causes damage to a variety of surfaces as they collapse. All boats are different, and the motor manufacturers produce a variety of standard lengths. Youll also want to pay attention when youre in shallow water because your prop will be lower than normal. (function () { The height of the boat transom dictates the size of the outboard motor. If you are running a twin-engine setup, then measure the same distance from each clamping plate to the bottom of the hull. Lubrication System Engine Oil Mixed Gasoline. Increased RPM and additional horsepower feed the need for speed. Allowing the propeller to pull water from underneath and push it out behind the boat. This could also effect your travelling capabilities on the boat trailer. 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. A2: Instead of changing to the short outboard shaft, you can try the Jack Plate first. storeDisplayName: "Marine Parts Warehouse", My family and I used it to fish, ski (yes, you can ski behind a pontoon boat), and cruise the lakes near our home. Read the following to get the optimal shaft length for outboard motors! See diagram below. Thats it. 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). This would not be a good thing. With such an important, long-term, and expensive upgrade, its never a bad idea to double-check. document.getElementById('cloakd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5').innerHTML = ''; Keep these numbers in mind if you ever have a need for a new outboard motor for your boat. 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. If you are looking to repower, they may be able to offer some sage advice. For really big boats, the biggest and baddest six- or eight-cylinder outboards can have extra-extra long shafts up to 30 inches. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. A transom saver, which can change the spacing between the lower unit and the trailer, negates some of the support. If the propeller fails to ventilate, the motor is mounted to low. 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. This measurement was approximately 4". Each one has a totally different effect on the boats performance. clearInterval(interval); jackplate to a point level with the top of the transom. https:/. However, you will need an understanding of how the degrees will alter the boats usability. For slower boats, its less critical to. Raising the motor increases the speed of the boat while decreasing the effort needed to turn the boat. Boaters who consider going with a higher mount can see increased speeds. 1855 Alpine Avenue NWGrand Rapids, MI 49504This email address is being protected from spambots. If you said something smaller than that, thats where it can get tricky. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Why wont Touch ID be under the screen in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16? Generally, the anti-ventilation plate on most engines is aligned with the bottom of the vessel. If so, send me an bracket. To measure the transom height, measure from the center on for transom (rear of the boat). Measure from there down to the top of the cavitation plate, also known as the anti-ventilation plate. 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. Attention: Remember to measure the outboard shaft length straight up and down instead of measuring along the transom. As mentioned above, the operation of the propeller relies on the transom height. This allows the engine to idle without the flow of the exhaust being restricted. Take the center measurement from the top to the bottom of the hull. 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 Detwiler manual jackplate. This is somewhat similar to #2, in that you are again measuring with a Propshaft in There are instances where a lower mount may be okay. If you go too short your more than likely going to cavitate and loose power. The height of the transom is estimated by using the center line to measure from the bottom of the hull to the top of the transom. Measure straight down to the lowest point on the hull. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 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. ensure that your measurement is accurate. x\[D~OUCO6[j](l%ay <8cylY{.L2s#]~U6A|Wj]-oo|mubqY6wbY_|!>Z8(RB:RHeTzOGO_=~t\ 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. 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. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. This, however, is not recommended for the beginning boater. The boater must also consider if the boat transomsupport is designed to bear the weight of a higher mount. Cavitation plates are used on the bottom components of boats to help them operate better. 2 0 obj This is simply a measurement taken from the top of the transom (top of The outboard comes with mounting holes and brackets. How Transom Height Is Measured "brackets". Your email address will not be published. } As a result, the issue is whether my boat need a short shaft or long shaft motor. 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. }) } }); })(document); var xmlHttp = new XMLHttpRequest(); This is the dimension you'll need when selecting a width for your outboard motor's mounting bracket. Youll need a short shaft outboard if its 15 or less than an inch shorter. How can you figure out what your transom angle is? Your goal is to measure how the outboard will sit, so start from the clamping plate and follow the centerline of the hull. Repowering your boat is one of the most expensive upgrades you can make. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Charles Plueddeman is Boats.com's outboard, trailer, and PWC expert. However, there may be times when a boater strays away from these recommendations. This is a measurement that has been used for BassCats, I'm 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). There are also specialty motor shaft lengths. When trimming your motor, they provide you a greater bow response.