Shaft length for your dinghy...SFW

[freeheelbillie]

Figured I might need the Safe For Work disclaimer.

I have a Quicksilver 380, 10' dinghy rated for a 25hp. I plan on picking up a 10hp used but am a bit confused about the proper shaft length.

Thoughts?

 

[Sailm8]

I think standard is fine.

 

[freeheelbillie]

I see mostly long shafts for sale in my area. Whats the risk of a shaft thats too long?

 

[Sumner]

One problem if you run the dinghy in to beaches where there is shallow water your prop/lower shaft will run aground when you might still be out a ways.

I wanted long shaft outboards for the inflatable so that I could use them as a possible backup on the Mac if needed. I raised the transom on the dinghy. I talked to Zodiac before doing so and they saw no problem with the lower HP (5 HP and 3.5 HP) motors I'd be running.

More on the mod here....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor/zodiac-3.html

When we bought the Endeavour it came with a 7 or 8 HP Yamaha 2 stroke (short/regular shaft) and I'd like to use it at times if we go ashore and have to go some distance as the 3 1/2 HP can't get the inflatable up on plane. I worked over how the raised part of the transom mounts so that it will be quick to change it from the high transom to the stock lower one if needed.

I added a second motor mount on the Endeavour so that we will be able to take both outboards,

Sumner
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1300 miles to The Bahamas and Back in the Mac...
Endeavour 37 Mods...
MacGregor 26-S Mods...
Mac Trips to Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Canada, Florida, Bahamas

 

[justsomeguy]

Whats the risk of a shaft thats too long?

As Sumner noted, not much.

 

[Gunni]

Short shaft, typically 15".

 

[freeheelbillie]

Thanks for the input guys!

 

[NotCook]

One problem if you run the dinghy in to beaches where there is shallow water your prop/lower shaft will run aground when you might still be out a ways.

As Sum noted, this is your main drawback. It's an issue with even a standard shaft. Unless you have a secondary requirement like Sum did, you really probably want a standard shaft length.