H25 Outboard Length...

[JBSailsSD]

I know this is likely a much discussed topic, but since I am a new H25 owner, I found out quickly that my "longshaft" Nissan 5hp was not well suited to my new-to-me vessel!

I journeyed several miles in glasslike early morning, magnificent San Diego conditions yesterday with a friend aboard as crew to take my vessel to its new home. Noticed pretty quickly when I sent my buddy forward, that my Nissan 22" shaft would cavitate when his weight went forward! Take a look at the photo taken back at the slip and you will observe the cavitation plate is 2" above the water line.

So we spent the rest of the journey (no wind/early SD am) hanging 10 off the transome.

Not one to let sleeping dogs lie...after I worked my tail off scrubbing yesterday, I spent my evening searching for an Extra Long Shaft and found a nice Johnson with a 26" shaft in PA and quickly closed the deal (geez, I love the internet...thanks Al Gore)!

I then met today with my Gelcoat master...my Amigo Jesus who I have hired to compound and wax the boat and paint the non-skid...

I have a pretty good network of amazing boat workers here in San Diego as we have an active boating community. Jesus matches gelcoat better than anyone and I know he will waive his magic wand over the Hunter in short order.

My restoration is underway....Love this boat!

 

[kloudie1]

Wow.. I am surprised that the motor was able to cool itself. The water intake slots are really close to the existing water line on the motor.. The longer shaft is the answer! You are going to enjoy the boat, JB..

 

[Ed Schenck]

You do move fast JB. And with an unlimited budget too! Looking forward to pictures of the new shine.

 

[Benny17441]

Had a problem like that once and modified the bracket so the engine would seat lower. It is likely that bracket was set at a height to match a much heavier engine. A long shaft is still the best solution but look at the boat balance to make sure the stern may not be sitting to high. Placement of batteries and other gear will affect balance.

 

[JBSailsSD]

Cooling and Unlimited Budget$

Kloudie...you are right about the cooling...I kept a close eye out and both myself and my crewman were hanging ten at the aft of the transome to make certain that cavitation plate stayed in the water which it did when we were aboard.

Ed...love the unlimited budget comment. Actually I was blessed with making a tidy profit on my last sailboat sale...a Catalina 18 that I restored last year! Bought for pennies and sold for big $ for the model as she looked like new. Now...having purchased my H25 for $1,500...I am ahead of the game. Not to mention that my beautiful bride and First Mate is fully behind the project knowing I am ahead of the curve (at the moment, anyway).

Thanks for weighing in guys. I will report back when I get the Johnson Extra Long Shaft mounted and tested. Oh, and I was able to get the 1998 Johnson from the E. Coast for $500 and it is a fresh water motor with low hours. The best I could find out here on the Left Coast for the same Xtra LS was a '93 for $900. Talk about the Sunshine mark-up. Even with shipping, I come out hundreds ahead...geez, I love the internet...it sure makes it a smaller world....

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

According to where my outboard bracket is, a 20" shaft works quite well. I am actually relocating the bracket to provide just a bit more depth; but that's all it needs, just a bit. The biggest problem with this boat is going over rollies upon entering or leaving a harbor, having people on the foredeck and having the cavitation plate come up too high out of the water. It's just a process to change rather than to go to the ultra-rare 25" shaft length.

 

[JBSailsSD]

Received my Outboard from Accross Country....

I went down to pick up my 1998 Johnson Sailmaster XTRA longshaft 9.9 hp today from the Greyhound Bus Station here in San Diego. If you ever need to ship a motor...Greyhound is the way to do it. The previous owner wrapped it in bubble wrap and a moving blanket secured with duct tape! Ha Ha! It arrived safely for $96! It is an electric start so my investment so far is $596.00.

The motor looks great, however the previous owner painted the entire shaft with some sort of a rubberized paint. I spent most of the afternoon stripping that cr%$p off, hitting it with my drill with the wire brush fitting and sanding and prepping for paint.

I am sort of a compulsive nut and I will have this baby looking like new before next weekend and will go thru and tune her up, replace the impeller, fluids and spark plugs and get her readied for use.

I think the XTRA long shaft is going to work perfectly and I will report back and take photos!