Another important measurement is the transom angle. A long shaft engine requires a height of 20 and extra-long shaft engines will need a transom height of 25. What is Transom Height?
Proper Mounting Height for an Outboard - Gone Outdoors 5/rC,aQhsK@Q. When trimming your motor, they provide you a greater bow response. To do so, you will want to measure at the exact center of the transom from the very top to the very bottom. Then open up the clamp bucket. As with anything, there are exceptions to the rule. See When St. Peters Basketball Games Are Today! 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. "brackets". The faster your boat, the more critical it is to get the sizing just right. If you have a short shaft motor, the distance between the top of the transom and the bottom of the boat should be between 15 and 16 inches. Safely but briskly accelerate. If the propeller fails to ventilate, the motor is mounted to low. Some may call it a standard length while others may call it a short or a long shaft. Transom Outboard Engine Position - YouTube 0:00 / 0:56 Transom Outboard Engine Position BOATING SCENE 763 subscribers 609 211K views 5 years ago www.boatingscene.com.au Sometimes when your. var addyd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 = 'info' + '@'; As with anything, there are exceptions to the rule. Measure from the top of the transom to the bottom of the hull. So how to determine the outboard shaft length? If it measures anywhere from 17" to around 22", then your going to want to go with a long shaft motor. The outboard comes with mounting holes and brackets. Add the two measurements and you get 6 1/2". See diagram below. Your goal is to measure how the outboard will sit, so start from the clamping plate and follow the centerline of the hull. Like Westshore Marine & Leisure on Facebook! C Cheaptoon Cadet Joined Aug 4, 2010 Messages 28 Aug 24, 2010 #4 Re: Motor height on pontoon? 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. This, however, is not recommended for the beginning boater. Pretty easy to figure out but like I said its crucial to pairing a motor with a boat. Gear Oil Quantity 195ml(6.6 Fl.oz.) We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. (We wont go into name-calling here, but the actual term for the cavitation plate is an anti-ventilation plate.) brackets.
Outboard Motor Shaft Length - LeeRoy's Ramblings By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. My family and I used it to fish, ski (yes, you can ski behind a pontoon boat), and cruise the lakes near our home.
help with shaft length for a kicker - iboats Boating Forums It can also improve the experience of driving a faster boat. Boat transomangles play a pivotal role in the flexibility of the boats trimming abilities. With a motor tote, the outboard and boat move as one, independently of the trailer, so there are no concerns about the boat shifting on the trailer, he says. You dont have to be a mathematician to determine the correct boat transom angle. Industry standards dictate that for short shaft engines the transom height should be 15. It is possible that the motor could hang low while transporting on the boat trailer causing future boat repairs. to where the brackets were actually resting on the transom. #3. https://www.bornagainboating.com/Get Your Born Again Boating Clothing! In the second photo, we've measure down from the top of the Detwiler
For most boaters this is a no brainer, but for the novice or inexperienced boater it may be a tougher question. Most of the time, adding a hydrofoil to an outboard improves performance. manufacturer will recommend the outboard height according to the bracket shape and length. addyd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 = addyd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 + 'vanssports' + '.' + 'com'; This provides seaworthiness and offers maximum protection from large seas. Whats the best height for my boat motor? Basically, there are three main ways to measure motor
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. It is where the outboard is mounted, and some boat owners place the name of the boat. resting on the transom if you had the motor all the way down on the boat
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What Is the Transom of a Boat? EXPLAINED - My Cruiser Life It also decreases the boats lift and increases the time it takes for the boat to reach plane. 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. s.setAttribute("href", "https://cdn.paytomorrow.com/css/pt-mpe.min.css"); var BCData = {"csrf_token":"d7ecb6b56891bb66aee12dbc01a80162b3ed582c1acbe30f16fc9f1b2abc362f"}; A: The answer varies by boat, but here are some rules of thumb for matching a short shaft outboard to your boat. Depending on the manufacturer, size names might change. I live for the weekends when I can go out on the water and escape the stress of life on land. A reverse transom that sits too high can impact the propellers of the motor and motor bracket.
Installing a Kicker Motor Bracket - Gone Outdoors All rights reserved. If you have already measured you transom tip to bottom to be 20", then if you place aux sdieways to central engine your available transom height will be probably 1"-1.5" " higher and work perfecty. Small motors built for sailboats might come in a unique configuration with an extremely long shaft since these are mounted higher off the water. This alone can outweigh the negatives when deciding to adjust the mount upwards. If you decide to make some custom adjustments we have theexperience and know-howto make it happen. Your at your local outboard dealer shopping for a new motor and the salesman hits you with the question, "short or long shaft?". A: The short answer is Yes. 1 0 obj
This exhaust port should be about 1 inch above the water line when the boat is idling. These are vertically aligned so the boater can make adjustments. All boats are different, and the motor manufacturers produce a variety of standard lengths. If your boat planes, pay extra attention to getting the shaft length as close to perfect as possible. If the height of the boat transom is off it can cause major issues. When fighting waves from the stern, a 20-inch transom is considerably safer. The motor length corresponds to the transom height of the boat, measured from the keel to gunwale at the transom. Theyre also useful if the back of your boat has a non-standard measurement. I mean it is better to be safe than sorry, am I right? The same is true for the newest, high-powered offshore fishing boats, where triple or quadruple motor setups are becoming more and more common. %PDF-1.7
But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Actually there is no designated letter for short shaft. (function () { The transom angle is the vertical incline of the transom and is measured in degrees.
PDF Outboard shaft lengths and transoms - Boat Builder Central If the propeller fails to ventilate, the motor is mounted to low. What types of boat need an extra long shaft? (updated
Any questions? Small portable outboards ranging from 2 to 20 horsepower are usually sold only in short or long shaft versions. 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. 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). stream
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. 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. 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. Many boat transoms are modified to use a different length of outboard by using a bracket. Here we look at the effects of standard, lower and higher mounting.
How to Measure a Boat Transom - Gone Outdoors 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. Learn More About Your Boats Systems By Joining The Born Again Boating Academy! the propshaft below or above the pad. Again, make sure that you are measuring to the flat part of the brackets;
(616) 364-0666, On all contiguous US part orders over $100. Where Onboard a Boat is the Transom Located and More About Transom Heights A propeller operates based on the height of the transom. It moves an outboard up and down to optimize performance and enable a boat to venture into shallower water than it might otherwise. To measure the transom height, measure from the center on for transom (rear of the boat). 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. The propellers will also have trouble reaching the water. Take your time and understand your boat and your entire transom.
The Best Way to Measure Prop to Pad | How to measure Outboard Motor Height The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Its where the outboard motor is attached, and its also where some boat owners put the boats name. Measure straight down to the lowest point on the hull. Boaters who consider going with a higher mount can see increased speeds. 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. }, 100); It also cuts into speed and fuel efficiency. The clamp bracket on the latest Mercury Four-Stoke-model outboards has five mounting bolt holes spaced .75 inches apart. var interval = setInterval(function () { 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. Two years ago, I bought a Boston Whaler to fish off the coast. measuring; you may have to "extend" the flat part of the
Step 2: Three Variables to Consider As a result, the issue is whether my boat need a short shaft or long shaft motor. Actual shaft length is 21.5" on those. This is also known as the shaft length. Raising the motor increases the speed of the boat while decreasing the effort needed to turn the boat. want to measure from the transom to the flat part of this bracket,
It also cuts into speed and fuel efficiency.
I run a 9.9 Mercury Bigfoot 20" shaft off the swim platform of my 89 Trophy 2160. All things considered, sticking with the industry standard is best for the beginner. Mounting the outboard motor in accordance with the industry standards is important. This measurement was approximately 4". It doesnt matter if you have a fiberglass boat, bay boat, big or small boat. 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. x\[D~OUCO6[j](l%ay <8cylY{.L2s#]~U6A|Wj]-oo|mubqY6wbY_|!>Z8(RB:RHeTzOGO_=~t\ Then adjust the motor in a higher hole with a flat head screwdriver. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". No one wants to have issues with a new transom or boat repairs. You will also risk hitting bottom or submerge objects more frequently such as rocks or logs. Beginning boaters should be aware of the boats measurements. 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. #1: Height
If you have a question or need additional information,contact ustoday. You may wonder how deep your prop should be in the water. Or it can have an angle degree as high as 30. If you have a question or need additional information. Read the following to get the optimal shaft length for outboard motors! Well, raising the outboard motor can be an easy task for you. As summer approaches there will be more boaters taking to the water. Rebuilt - What You Need to Know, Lower Unit and Sterndrive Break-In Instructions. mpeInit(); Always weigh the risks of making adjustments. :$I>M W$h"%U_yzIb?]NHg_G|r@nX eTf."SQ Its still smart to measure it yourself though, just in case, the design changed over the years. Raising the motor increases the speed of the boat while decreasing the effort needed to turn the boat. The point where these measurements intersect is your centerline. clearInterval(interval);
How to Choose Between a Motor Tote and Transom Saver to Support an publicId: "32bf3437d1346295e03ebcf545f9c839", Beyond motorboats designed for large outboards, you will see outboards hanging on the sterns of everything from small canoes to large cruising sailboats. maxAmount: 6500.0, Anything bigger than that your obviously going to need an extra long shaft. Plus, a low transom cut is an invitation for the water to flood the boat. With the long side (22 1/2), place a carpenters square ) in opposition to the keel. straight edge on the top of the transom to "extend" it out
The amount of degrees the transom leans back from vertical is known as the transom angle. (In the case of the faster
Bass boats, ski boats, or center cockpit vessels will want to double-check their measurements to get it just right. Boat transom angles play a pivotal role in the flexibility of the boats trimming abilities. Outboard motors can be fitted to a variety of boats, so manufacturers have standardized their engines to go on virtually anything. Before we get started lets see what a boat transom is and what it does. PayTomorrow.mpeInit({ 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. 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. This alone can outweigh the negatives when deciding to adjust the mount upwards. <>/Metadata 127 0 R/ViewerPreferences 128 0 R>>
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Setting Height of Outboard Motor - YouTube Later in the article is an image that shows you exactly where to measure. Engine Oil Mixing Ratio Fuel 50: Engine Oil 1. priceSelector: ".price--withoutTax, span.price.price--withTax", To achieve 35 mph with a 6 hp engine, the total weight is 135 lbs (boat motor fuel passengers). Smaller boats may use adjustable jack plates that can be changed to fit any outboard. Look at the part of your motor that would be
steel ruler, etc. Figuring out how to measure motor height on a
You also might not be able to lift the outboard out of the water entirely for storage. Place the point of a yardstick at the middle of the top of the boat transom. Triton. If you said something smaller than that, thats where it can get tricky. One of the main concerns is causing the engine to overheat if not enough water reaches the engine to keep it cool. On the downside, a higher mount can interfere with the boaters steering capabilities. A1: Broadly speaking, the outboard motor shaft length for pontoon boat, bass boat, or other larger boats should be long shaft.
Safely but briskly accelerate. All things considered, sticking with the industry standard is best for the beginner. logoColor: "original", Shaft lengths are available in increments of 5. Tilt your motor until the bullet of the gearcase is
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 is extremely important that the boater understands the significance of the transoms height.
Having the cavitation plate a bit lower than the transom is preferable to having it too high. Outboard shaft length plays a crucial role in the performance of your boat.
Kicker Motor Shaft Length - This Old Boat - Lake Ontario United - Lake 2 0 obj
your motor will be higher.) Oftentimes you will want to adjust the outboard shaft length in order to improve the boat performance such as speed. Workboats, sailboats, and displacement-hulled boats fall into this category. Next, measure from your centerline to where the outboard will be mounted on each side. motor brackets
A reversetransom that sits too high can impact the propellers of the motor and motor bracket. Mounting the motor lower on the boat transom can create excessive spray, increase case drag, reduce underwater clearance, and negatively impact faster boats. Since the ventilation plate & foil are burried under water it is obviously too low. What are Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and Channels? } To achieve this, the motor itself has to be attached at the correct height. endobj
The standard shaft length for most outboard engines less than 125 horsepower is 20 inches. Also, the boat will be more likely to hit bottom or submerge objects such as rocks or logs. This will ensure the best performance. This is somewhat similar to #2, in that you are again measuring with a
Boat hulls are designed in three basic types that range from slow displacement and semi-displacement hulls to the fastest planing hulls.
7. How high exactly do you have to raise the transom?- - Outboard Jets How can you figure out what your transom angle is? It is unsafe to have the engine block too close to the water on a low transom.
Guide to Boat Transom Heights - Marine Parts Warehouse 1855 Alpine Avenue NWGrand Rapids, MI 49504This email address is being protected from spambots. For example, you can have the Mercury outboard shaft length by model code. The transom is the boats flat vertical part at the back. The transom in a boat today is a place to hang your outboard motor. 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. The height is approximately six inches higher than with a propeller. A yardstick will help you determine if your outboard engine is at the right height. For really big boats, the biggest and baddest six- or eight-cylinder outboards can have extra-extra long shafts up to 30 inches. Boaters who consider going with a higher mount can see increased speeds. Finding the right size is a matter of looking at what youve got and taking out the measuring tape. The first order of business is to measure your boat for the ideal fit. 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? However, the motor should not be raised more than 5 inches above the standard position. of the "bullet" on your lower unit. Top 10 Choices for Boaters, Mercury Introduces 600HP V12 Verado Outboard Engine, The Outboard Expert: Tohatsu Propane Outboard Engine. As a dealer I run into this situation from time to time, which is fine but getting the right length outboard for your boat is crucial. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. relation to pad
Owners of bass boats, RIBs, or offshore fishing boats need to get this right. This restriction includes most fishing boats and longer sailboats. When the boat transom is too low, the motor could end up underwater. This is a measurement that has been used for BassCats, I'm
Boat Transom Heights The Beginners Guide, Buying a boat can be an exciting purchase. You
How Transom Height Is Measured Long shafts are 20-inches long. var h = d.getElementsByTagName("head"), 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. You can find your Mercury outboard model code on an ID plate or sticker. To sum up, there is a simple calculator of the shaft length for outboard motors: Outboard Shaft Length = Transom Height +/- Factors. Thats it. Keep these numbers in mind if you ever have a need for a new outboard motor for your boat. Allowing the propeller to pull water from underneath and push it out behind the boat. While this is the case there is certain saltwater motors that are extra extra long at 30 and 35 shaft. If your boats transom height is 15-16, a short shaft engine is required, and if it is 20-21, a long shaft engine is required. There is a simple test to see if your outboard motor is set at the best height. These two measurements will give you the length of the shaft you need. var h = d.getElementsByTagName("head"), enableMoreInfoLink: true,
How To Measure Outboard Motor Shaft Length [Long v Short] - Boating Hub What is the Virtual Sundance Film Festival? I believe 20 to 21 inches is the optimum length for a lengthy shaft. #2. s.setAttribute("rel", "stylesheet"); On this type of boat, if you are in doubt, default to the longer-shafted outboard. No one wants to have issues with a new transom or boat repairs. High powered boats usually only come in long and extra-long variants.
Boat Transom Heights - The Beginner's Guide | My Westshore The transom is the flat vertical section at the rear of the boat. | Sitemap, The Marine Parts Warehouse Outboard Museum, OBR Powerhead / Shortblock Warranty Claim Form, Remanufactured vs. I hope this helps someone out in their search for a new or newer outboard this season. Attention: Remember to measure the outboard shaft length straight up and down instead of measuring along the transom. This is simply a measurement taken from the top of the transom (top of
Outboards designed for saltwater applications usually have longer shafts. In the past, though, it housed the officers and captain of 17th, 18th and 19th century sailing ships. The height of the boat transom dictates the size of the outboard motor. His works have appeared in regional newspapers in North Dakota and in "North Dakota Horizons" and "Cowboys and Indians" magazines. Trimming in, trimming down, and trimming out are all terms that a beginning boater should learn. Smaller inflatables and dinghies needshort shaft motors, whilst bigger boats require long or, in some circumstances, extreme long shaft versions. It was a 23-foot Crestliner Grand Cayman pontoon boat. Be sure to measure carefully and research thoroughly before diving in. 3 0 obj
Say the 20 shaft is a long shaft length for gas engines, but it is a short shaft length for electric outboard motors. Beginning boaters should be aware of the boats measurements. 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. Among them will be first-timers or those who have recently purchased their boats. For boats equipped with a bracket, calculate the same measurement but based on the bracket and not the transom. The outboard comes with mounting holes and brackets. 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.
How-To: Pick A Great Portable Outboard Motor (2023 Guide) When you measure the width of the stern, mark the center with a grease pencil. To do so, measure from the stern (back) of the boat to the midpoint of the hull on both sides. of the motor off the transom
Beefier jack plates can be fitted should a boater be looking to mount an outboard with a shorter shaft than their transom demands. parallel with the straight edge. Place the clubs bottom on the ground as though it were going to be used to strike a golf ball. 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. Its important to note that manufacturers call their models different things. The shaft length for outboard motors has nothing to do with the water line. 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. Here are several situations on how you should adjust the outboard shaft length: Mounting the outboard a little bit higher than the standard point could reduce drag, improve RPM at full throttle, and therefore improve speed and make it easier for the boat to get on plane. var xmlHttp = new XMLHttpRequest(); What the relationship to the pontoons is, I couldn't say. var ptScript = "https://cdn.paytomorrow.com/js/pt-mpe.min.js"; (127 mm). The how to measure the shaft length of an outboard motor is a question that many people have asked. 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. 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. Step 3: Add another 10 cm (4'') to the previous calculation for the final ideal shaft length. Each one has a totally different effect on the boats performance. What's the best height for my boat motor? This is measured by the propeller shaft being parallel to the vessels bottom. With this in mind, how can I determine if my outboard has a short or long shaft?
Motor height on pontoon? | Boating Forum - iboats Boating Forums Mounting kicker motor - General Discussion Forum | In-Depth Outdoors Buying a boat can be an exciting purchase. This could also effect your travelling capabilities on the boat trailer. With such an important, long-term, and expensive upgrade, its never a bad idea to double-check.
The first step is to determine the height of your boat's transom. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. For slower boats, its less critical to. The mounting height of an outboard motor can impact the speed and handling characteristics of the boat. If your boat is newer and the manufacturer is still in business, you might also want to try to give them a call. from the transom. For over five years he has worked as a newspaper reporter and historic researcher. Some outboards have a serial number that tells you which shaft length to go for. There is a simple test to see if your outboard motor is set at the best height. As summer approaches there will be more boaters taking to the water. jackplate to a point level with the top of the transom. Height Measurement: Recommended Shaft Length: 14" - 17.25" 15" Shaft (Short) 17.25" - 19.5" Varies by application 19.5" - 22.5"