25 inch outboard shaft on 26 ft Hunter

[S. Raymond]

I need to replace the Honda 9.9 outboard 20 inch shaft. Mercury has come out with a sailboat outboard with a 25" shaft with a lower gear for push not speed. Would the extra 5 inches make a difference expecially with cavitation? Anyone have experience with 25 inch shaft on their 26 ft. Hunter?

 

[George Kobernus]

H260 and 25

I have an Evinrude OB with a 25" shaft on my H260 and it works just fine. I get about 6 kts in smooth water at a little over half throttle. Cavitation is never a problem except in ver rough water. Having said that, I've only had the boat/motor one season so my experience is limited.From all I've read, longer is better. Just make sure you raise the OB when launching and retrieving the boat. Other than cost, why would you get a shorter shaft? Is the cost that much different?

 

[Ken Koons]

20" on a 240

I've had the prop pop out of the water in rolling conditions on my 240 with the 20" shaft. Longer is better.