Outboard shaft for 240

[Gypsy Legend]

Here's a thing, I had a 2006 Tohatsu 6HP Sail Drive long shaft on my 240 when I bought her , long story short I lost confidence in the Tohatsu - so I bought a brand new Parsun 6HP long shaft . Turns out the Tohatsu was an extra long shaft and the Parsun is a standard long shaft. My question is do you guys use extra long shaft outboards or just the standard long shaft. I hope this makes sense

 

[Rick Webb]

A 20" shaft is ok in calmish waters. I would occasionally cavitate in the bay. When out in the Gulf it was more frequent. Extended mine to a 25" shaft and never cavitated.

 

[patbratton]

If you get into trouble with the sails up and you have to power out, as working off a lee shore, the longest shaft you can get is great because the shaft is not in the center of the stern and the windward side of the boat will lift the prop up and out of the water. I am on a lake and as my sailing memory came back from many, many years ago, my standard length Mercury Sailpro (propane, made by Tohatsu ) has been adequate.

 

[Gypsy Legend]

Thanks for that, I'll try the standard length this season and see how I get on out on the Solway Firth. Busy sanding the bottom at the moment ready for antifouling, had her lifted yesterday for a pressure wash and found tubeworm on the hull ! Not what I wanted but hey, it's the joy of sailing.