I recently bought an O'Day 25 moving up from a CAtalina 22. This boat seems to really ride high in the water... so much so that my long shaft outboard only will go in the water a couple of inches. I am really worried about cavitation when in the bay. Anyone else have this problem?? DO I need to buy an extra long shaft outboard 25"??
riding high outboard
- Thread starter kennyb
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Outboard highriders
Hi Kenny; You probably need a long shaft (20" to 25") outboard for the 25 O'Day. The motor mount may also be a tad too high. Measure the distance from the top of the engine mounting flange on the motor mount to the waterline. Compare that measurement to the same on the motor (under the bracket screws to the cavitation plate) You should keep the cavitation plate of the motor underwater as much as possible. The engine's water intake is just under it. If the cavitation plate is high and dry, your water pump on the motor is as well - not a very good thing for impellers! This is evidenced by the motor revving when the boat's in a choppy sea. A quick fix is to remove the mounting plate and cut off a inch from the top if that'll do. Otherwise, you'll need to relocate the mount lower, or get a mount with greater vertical travel distance. If all else fails and you have $2000 to part with - get a long shaft outboard. Honda makes a 25" model, but most 20" models should do. Outboards come standard in 15" shaft lengths usually. Be careful - with a longshaft model, you may not be able to tilt the motor so that the lower end is completely out of the water depending on the motor, motor mount design and installation height! Good luck. Stu "Karakahl" 1979 O'Day 22 CB Centerport, NY
Hi Kenny; You probably need a long shaft (20" to 25") outboard for the 25 O'Day. The motor mount may also be a tad too high. Measure the distance from the top of the engine mounting flange on the motor mount to the waterline. Compare that measurement to the same on the motor (under the bracket screws to the cavitation plate) You should keep the cavitation plate of the motor underwater as much as possible. The engine's water intake is just under it. If the cavitation plate is high and dry, your water pump on the motor is as well - not a very good thing for impellers! This is evidenced by the motor revving when the boat's in a choppy sea. A quick fix is to remove the mounting plate and cut off a inch from the top if that'll do. Otherwise, you'll need to relocate the mount lower, or get a mount with greater vertical travel distance. If all else fails and you have $2000 to part with - get a long shaft outboard. Honda makes a 25" model, but most 20" models should do. Outboards come standard in 15" shaft lengths usually. Be careful - with a longshaft model, you may not be able to tilt the motor so that the lower end is completely out of the water depending on the motor, motor mount design and installation height! Good luck. Stu "Karakahl" 1979 O'Day 22 CB Centerport, NY
Long shaft is needed
Hi Kenny; I own an Oday 25 and just put a new outboard on her. If your outboard bracket is at the same location as mine, i.e. on the starboard side of the transom, about a foot and a half up from the top of the waterline, a long shaft motor will really, really help. Even with my adjustable outboard bracket the motor just made it to the proper depth. You could try remounting but the outboard is already hard enough to get to as it is. I bought an 8 HP Honda long shaft, one of the new four strokes, and also had to reinforce the transom due to the weight. Good luck.
Hi Kenny; I own an Oday 25 and just put a new outboard on her. If your outboard bracket is at the same location as mine, i.e. on the starboard side of the transom, about a foot and a half up from the top of the waterline, a long shaft motor will really, really help. Even with my adjustable outboard bracket the motor just made it to the proper depth. You could try remounting but the outboard is already hard enough to get to as it is. I bought an 8 HP Honda long shaft, one of the new four strokes, and also had to reinforce the transom due to the weight. Good luck.
What?
Ken: *o Am I missing something here? You said in your post that you have a long shaft outboard. I know of only two lengths in outboard shafts: Long shaft and regular length. If you already have a long shaft (and you say you do) then all you can do is to change the bracket to lower the shaft further into the water. If there is an EXTRA long shaft it is news to me... Mike S/B PitterPat, Lake Huron
Ken: *o Am I missing something here? You said in your post that you have a long shaft outboard. I know of only two lengths in outboard shafts: Long shaft and regular length. If you already have a long shaft (and you say you do) then all you can do is to change the bracket to lower the shaft further into the water. If there is an EXTRA long shaft it is news to me... Mike S/B PitterPat, Lake Huron
3 shaft sizes
Mike, There are 3 shaft sizes on outboards..short,long and extra long 15", 20" and 25". If I lower the outboard bracket it will be very difficult to change speeds or make any adjustment. I am probably stuck looking for an extralong shaft.
Mike, There are 3 shaft sizes on outboards..short,long and extra long 15", 20" and 25". If I lower the outboard bracket it will be very difficult to change speeds or make any adjustment. I am probably stuck looking for an extralong shaft.
How close to the water is the bottom of your
motor mount? If the bottom of your mount is almost submerged (dragging in the water) when under full power the mount can not go lower and you need a longer motor. Otherwise you may be able to re-hang the motor mount lower on your transom.
motor mount? If the bottom of your mount is almost submerged (dragging in the water) when under full power the mount can not go lower and you need a longer motor. Otherwise you may be able to re-hang the motor mount lower on your transom.
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