15 or 20 inch outboard shaft

[fred]

need help with mac 26m. what is the proper shaft length needed for a new outboard I am going to buy. Thanks

 

[George]

Outboard Length

Check the archives for extensive discussion on this subject. Bottom Line: Longer is better.

 

[Rick Nicholson]

Just went through the same problem

Longer is better as you get a better bite in the water if lower than bottom to the transom. Also in rougher water, the engine and prop will come out of the water less than a shorter shaft.My recommendation is the Mercury 9.9 4 stroke Big Foot. It has more torque in the lower end and a larger prop for a better bite in the water; this being even more important when going astern, something many sailboats don't do to well.

 

[al]

long shaft Outboard

Go for the long shaft 4-stroke. I have a Tohatsu long shaft. I have had both short and long shaft motors, I believe that the long shaft is better. Go with a four stroke too,they are a little heaver, but easy to startno mixing fuel/oil less pollutants are in the water.When I'm on the S.F. Bay, in the three to four foot chop, wind at 30 mph, and friends with me I don't want my forward progress to quit, when the prop is out of the water with a short shaft. That extra few inches is worth it. fair winds. AL

 

[Jim]

Outboard shaft length

Bury that prop as deeply as you can.