Outboard shaft length on 240

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Mar 27, 2010
84
Hunter 240 Branched Oak Lake, NE
Time has come to replace the outboard on my 240. I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the 20" shaft vs. a 25"? Thanks for any advice you can give.
 
Aug 11, 2011
1,015
O'day 30 313 Georgetown MD
On my 25.5 I have a 25". I am told that a 20" is fine in still water. As soon as you hit waves and wake, the prop comes out of the water too much. I am a novice and therefore am easily influenced as I am eager to learn. It may or may not be accurate.
 
Jun 2, 2004
3,612
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
20" is OK 25" is Better

On a lake Ok is probably good enough. I added an extension to make mine a 25" shaft.

All that being said I'd probably buy a 25 if the difference is not too great. An added benifit to the change from 20" to 25" is it runs quieter. Probably not so much an issue with the newer 4 strokes.
 
Aug 9, 2005
825
Hunter 260 Sarasota,FL
When the going gets rough a shorter shaft will let you down.....not a peaceful thought. Spring for the long shaft. I had a long shaft on my old 240 and never had any issues. There's been a lot of discussion about what hp to go with and my experience with that boat was that a heavy 9 or 10hp 4stroke will cause a serious list to starboard. I'd say 8hp max and 6hp min. After all, it's not a powerboat.

For just a few bucks more I'd defiantly make sure you get one with an alternator too. An effort to request a prop sized for lower speeds and high thrust will add to your joy and will be better matched for a sailboat vs a bass boat type app.

Good luck, Mike
 
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Jun 2, 2004
3,612
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
Just for clarification

Motors come in three lengths:

15" short
20" long
25" extra long

The measurement is from the top of the bracket where it sits on the transom or bracket to the cavitation plate a 15" shaft will not work at all on a 240.
 
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