Outboard Shaft Length

[Roger F]

I have a new 240 and can't wait to get out. I do need to pick up an outboard (8HP, 4 Stroke)and was wondering what suggestions folks have for shaft length. Any input on alternator capabilities would be great too.For short trailer trips, is it necessary to remove the outboard from the transom?Best regards

 

[Sean Coerse]

outboard

I have a tohatsu 2 stroke on my 98 H240. No problems at all. Has a small alternator but I dont motor enough for it to due it's job. What ever brand motor you go with you will need to get the long shaft version.

 

[Drew]

Not sure...

...of the shaft length, but, couple things. First, don't worry about taking the motor off the transom when trailering. Just tie it off in the down position, or, leave it in the up postiion with a crutch underneath the lower shaft. Also, I'd forget about an alternator unless you have serious battery needs - just get yourself a solar panel or maybe a portable battery charger. Good luck.

 

[Rick Webb]

6HP 20 Shaft is all You Need

A 25" shaft is better but I would not pay extra to get the additional HP especially if the motor is heavier. If the 8 is a two cylinder vs the 6 being one it may run noticebly smoother. Not sure it matters much on the 4 strokes though.The electric start is a nice option but do not bother with the charger by itself and watch for the extra weight for sure.http://www.onlineoutboards.com/m_tech_info.html#

 

[Roger F]

6 HP Enough Juice

Portsmouth harbor has some pretty strong current, 6HP enough juice for the 240? It would certainly be nice not have a lighter motor to lug around.Thanks for the input.

 

[keel_haul]

Honda 9.9 with solar panal

I bought a used H-240 last year. It came with a Honda 9.9 4-stroke engine, electric start and a solar panal. That system is excellent and drives the boat at 6 kts. The engine stays on the boat. Tip it up for sailing and launching. Drop it down to trail it. Once on the boat the weight is not a problem. Do it right the first round even if it costs a bit more than you planned. The system on my boat is great! The credit goes to the prior owner and the dealer.

 

[Bill18593]

Tohatsu 8

A Tohatsu 8hp 4-stroke electric start would be a good motor for a 240. Plenty of power, lightweight for a 4-stroke, very quiet and smooth running (has 2 cylinders). We just put a Tohatsu 9.8 4-stroke on our 25.5 (a lot heavier to push around than a 240) and we move quite smartly, thank you with the throttle just cracked (its still in break-in). Its basically the same motor as the 8 hp with a different carb. Very quiet. Very smooth.I've heard that there can be strong currents around Portsmount so the 8 hp should be the choice over smaller motors. You can probably only go around hull speed anyway, but you want a motor that can get to hull speed and keep it there.My understanding is that the Tohatsu 4-stroke motors are the same motors as the Nissan and Mercury. Save a few bucks.

 

[Sean Coerse]

Tohatsu

Tohatsu is actually the parent company of Nisan. They also produce many of the mercury motors.

 

[Marc_B]

25 inch shaft is nice

The 8 hp 20 inch shaft outboard is proably fine. I have a 9.8 hp 2 stroke Nisson on my 240, and the 25 inch shaft helps me when I go out Palm Beach Inlet, which can get pretty rough sometimes. I don't get any cavitation. Comes down to price and weight. For the 4 stroke Tohatsu, the 8 and 9.8 hp weight essentially the same, so price may be the factor.If I could have gotten an 8 hp with a 25 inch shaft, I'd have done that.

 

[Brian Young]

Looking to upgrade to a 25

I have a tohatsu 9.8 4 stroke on my H260 with a 20" shaft. I sail it in Vineyard Sound. It has done well for the most part, but i haven't had her out in anything rough. I'm most concerned about the current in front of the Bay where I anchor her. With the current coming one way and the wind another, it can get pretty rough and I'm quite sure the 20" shaft will be popping out of the water quite a bit. I am probably going to replace it with a 25" sometime this summer. I love the electric start, by the way. It's just nice to have.