I'm shopping around for a used outboard for a Mac 25. From looking at the way the motor mount sits, it seems like a regular short shaft outboard would put the prop in plenty of water. Am I wrong? Should I only be considering long shafts? I'll only be using this in lakes and rivers.
Outboard - long shaft necessary?
- Thread starter zpeteman
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Without a photo of your transom and the mount in its lowest position, yes, it's necessary. 
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Was afraid that might be the case. That really narrows the used outboard market for me.
Any advice on whether or not a 4hp motor is enough to get around on?
Any advice on whether or not a 4hp motor is enough to get around on?
It depends on the conditions and current you're in.
I use a 4 hp on the lakes I sail, and only one time have I wanted more oomph. For some, that one time will be the impetus to go larger.
I use a 4 hp on the lakes I sail, and only one time have I wanted more oomph. For some, that one time will be the impetus to go larger.
hello
I too asked that question when I got my Mac25... everyone said yes you need to long or ex-long shaft... when you are motoring and you hit a wake it will pull your prop out of the water and over rev your motor and can do damage... with the long or ex-long shaft this will not happen or will just be a moment and now let your motor over rev and damage it...
I found my long shaft on craigslist for $300... it is a 85 Yamaha 9.9... works great for me... look around on craigslist... I know in my area there is a 6hp long shaft for sale for $400 right now
you can find yourself a good deal on craigs list, you just have to look ... when I found my trailer on craigs list, I was searching the outward area around my big city.. I was checking other big cities from mine.... I got a 22ft tandem axle boat trailer with wobble wheels for $300... I had to adjust the rear wobble wheels a little higher to account for my swing keel... but it works great... look around and you will find what you are looking for...
sincerely
Jess
4 hp is plenty to get around on. Unless it's really windy, or you're pounding waves, or both. For protected water in reasonably calm weather, it's fine, IMO.
As to the long shaft, while you may be able to set a standard shaft up to get the ventilation plate at the bottom of the hull, the power head is likely to be low, making it hard to work the tiller handle, and reach the choke, and so on. I would hold out for a long shaft, or even an extra long shaft and use an adjustable mount so you can tilt the engine and raise the mount to get the prop out of the water if using a dock or mooring. The extra long shaft is good for rough water, where the off-center OB has a greater tendency to come out of the water when pitching and rolling.
As to the long shaft, while you may be able to set a standard shaft up to get the ventilation plate at the bottom of the hull, the power head is likely to be low, making it hard to work the tiller handle, and reach the choke, and so on. I would hold out for a long shaft, or even an extra long shaft and use an adjustable mount so you can tilt the engine and raise the mount to get the prop out of the water if using a dock or mooring. The extra long shaft is good for rough water, where the off-center OB has a greater tendency to come out of the water when pitching and rolling.
I normally run a 7.5hp long shaft on my 25 and it works really well. Unfortunately it quit on me right after launching for my 5 day outing last week and I couldn't get it running again so I had to resort to using my 4hp short shaft that I bought for my dinghy.
The little motor did an adequate job of pushing the boat through calm water. Adequate, that's it. Where I had big issues was backing up. The short shaft didn't get the prop deep enough below the boat, and the prop design didn't have much thrust in reverse. This made backing out of a slip with a crosswind and some wave action a very tense situation, and required a few extra hands to keep me off of the boats nearby. Also any reasonable size waves had the prop coming out of the water.
The little motor worked as an emergency backup and totally saved my trip but I would not want it for my only motor. Get the long shaft and get more hp. You'll be glad you did.
The little motor did an adequate job of pushing the boat through calm water. Adequate, that's it. Where I had big issues was backing up. The short shaft didn't get the prop deep enough below the boat, and the prop design didn't have much thrust in reverse. This made backing out of a slip with a crosswind and some wave action a very tense situation, and required a few extra hands to keep me off of the boats nearby. Also any reasonable size waves had the prop coming out of the water.
The little motor worked as an emergency backup and totally saved my trip but I would not want it for my only motor. Get the long shaft and get more hp. You'll be glad you did.
Thanks for the insight. There's a 4hp long shaft Johnson on Craigslist at the moment for $275. Might bite on that one.
See if you can get a high-thrust prop for it, if you take it. I don't know if there are even any options at all for those small OB props, the kind that doesn't have the exhaust through the hub, but look around anyway, or ask a local prop shop.
I've found with small OBs that a high-thrust prop can make a huge performance difference, as sailboats are like barges - they go slow, so a prop designed for faster movement through the water won't perform well at slow speeds. Reverse can be greatly improved, too, which was the impetus for me experimenting with prop types a couple of boats ago. A high-thrust prop on my Evinrude 9.9 (had large Mickey Mouse ear blades) made it perform like a much bigger engine at docking speeds, especially reverse.
I've found with small OBs that a high-thrust prop can make a huge performance difference, as sailboats are like barges - they go slow, so a prop designed for faster movement through the water won't perform well at slow speeds. Reverse can be greatly improved, too, which was the impetus for me experimenting with prop types a couple of boats ago. A high-thrust prop on my Evinrude 9.9 (had large Mickey Mouse ear blades) made it perform like a much bigger engine at docking speeds, especially reverse.
you can have a prop custom pitched... but it aint cheap. probably $ 200 for a 8 pitch prop.
the problem with small ob's is the diameter is limited. larger lower unit allows larger diameter.
merc use to sell big foot's where a large LU was mate-ed to small hp engines. but think 10 or 15 was the smallest...
When you really need the long shaft, and large diameter, they are priceless.
but if you don't get in trouble you'll never need it.
-its like insurance... what is safety worth?
the problem with small ob's is the diameter is limited. larger lower unit allows larger diameter.
merc use to sell big foot's where a large LU was mate-ed to small hp engines. but think 10 or 15 was the smallest...
When you really need the long shaft, and large diameter, they are priceless.
but if you don't get in trouble you'll never need it.
-its like insurance... what is safety worth?
I have a long shaft and there are times when motoring in short chop that I really wish I had the XTRA long shaft. One to help keep the prop in the water and 2nd when I have to get at the power head I wouldn't have to dangle so far behind the boat.
I've been trying to find the extension kit that was made for it with no luck so far.
I've been trying to find the extension kit that was made for it with no luck so far.
Topcat, have you checked on Ebay for the ext kit? I search "johnson/evinrude 9.9". I've seen them offered as whole kits and as individual parts. I think all you need is the longer lower shift rod, the extra long intermediate case (which should have the water tube extension in it) and the extra long drive shaft. might be easier and cheaper to find a 9.9 sailmaster with a bad powerhead, and use it for parts. The sailmaster is the perfect motor for the 25's (extra long shaft, elec start w/alternator).
I have indeed looked over steal bay but I admit that its been a while since I've done it (probably a year). At the time all of the available options were lacking something, too much work, or just plain too much money. I'll give it another shot tonight.
Perhaps the worn out sail master would be a better option. If the V224 had the engine cutout on the transom like some of the other ventures it might be different.
Thanks for your response.
I'd keep looking. That's not a bad price, but when you realize that you really need more power you're going to feel like it was money wasted. Keep looking and spend a little more for a motor that will do everything you ever need it to.
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