Dropdown Brackets

[arturo devitalis]

Need to replace my 8hp Tohatsu long shaft and am looking for a used of any brand, but the long shafts are few and far between. Here's my question. Can you mount a drop down using the factory transom? There are lots of short shaft 8 - 10hp around and at a lower price I know nothing about dropdowns and need to hear from anyone who has done this. Top of the transom is 15 inches above the water line (6 inches tall & approx 10 inches wide) and is a long shaft absolutely required? What say you?

 

[Rick Webb]

Definitely Need the Long 20" or Extra Long 25" Shaft

Many of the manufacturers make an extension or you could swap out yourshaft if you find one that is compatible. Tohatsu makes the Nissan and many of the Mercury as well as other brands of outboard in that same size. Check these guys out for a new one or they may be able to guide you on what you need to make one fit.http://www.onlineoutboards.com/

 

[Stephen Fierro]

Seen it done

The reasoning behind it is that it is difficult to use the motor so far down on the transom. Not only you will only have about a foot of clearance before your engine gets swamped in some waves. I have seen it done on smaller boats with a very low freeboard, similar to yours. If the dimesions are what you say they are you could do it with a drop down bracket. I just don't know what would happen to your motor at the first wave. All that extra money you saved is down the drain when your motor gets swampped. I was very resistant myself(and considering the same thing), especially because of the extra money, but I broke down and got a sailor motor. I own a 74 Hunter 25 which has a very high transom. Even with a drop down bracket the 25" shaft motor is barely in the water. Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.