Outboard standard shaft vs. long shaft !

[Don C.]

I have a Johnson 4.0 hp outboard that I used an my inflatable. It is a standard shaft (15"). Will this be satisfactory on the Hunter 170 or do I have to spring for a long shaft (20")? Thanks in advance!

 

[Mark Cooper]

Should be fine

I think the short shaft should be fine. I had a 2 HP Honda short shaft on my 170 and it performed very well.

 

[Sean Coerse]

Motor??

Before purchasing my 240 I had numerous years of sailing and racing small one designs such as Lasers, Albacores, and Lightnings. I have never sailed a 170, but I don't understand why you would put a motor on this boat. I would think it is plenty responsive enough to dock under sail. I have docked my 240 under sail once when the motor vapor locked. I would not want to do it again, but on a boat such as a 170 I would think this is not a problem. Wouldn't want the extra weight on the transom in regards to performance. Just my thoughts.

 

[Michael Stuart]

Sailing w/o wind

I have had the 170 for 2 years. I have a motor on it. It's nice to come and go from the dock by motor, especially if the wind is not cooperative. However, the motor reaches its peak in utility when I'm a mile from the dock and the wind is in another state. Get the drift? in fact, the drift is not too much fun.

 

[Ken Shubert]

Try It!

Since you have it, try it. It shouldn't be a problem unless you're in pretty rough water and it lifts out of the water when you roll. A long shaft can be detrimental for some of us that go into shallow water with the board/rudder up and/or beach the things on the sand. Little boats do have some advantages, don't they?KenS/V Wouff Hong

 

[Dick Leis]

Long vs. short shaft

As the owner of a WB 19, I have always faulted Hunter for a poorly designed motor mount. I purhased a long shaft at their recommendation. The darn thing had the prop so deep that it was a joke! It also made tilt-up and operation difficult. Additionally, they chose an angle that matched poorly with my OB. After complaining, they supplied a SS bracket that I modified by raising the motor a good 7 inches. All is now well.

 

[Alan Long]

Kit Available

There is a kit available to convert a 4hp OMC (Johnson or Evinrude) from short to long shaft. I did it recently...cost about 150 bucks.