Shaft length

[Carolyn1964]

How much difference would it make if I had a extra long shaft versus a long shaft. I plan on sailing in Puget sound and the san juan islands. The seas are not too big but sometimes we do have some rough water. I am buying a new engine and don't want to have too short of a shaft. Thanks

Carolyn

 

[Barnacle Bill]

How much room do you have to vary shaft length? Don't know what kind of boat....oh, you have an outboard. Long is good on a sailboat. Short can be bad simply because the boat will pitch and yawl and you don't want the shaft coming out of the water in seas. So a long shaft is preferred on a sailboat. Some manufactures have two different lengths in longer shaft availability, such as 20 and 25 inch vs. 15 inch (short shaft).

 

[fnuttersny]

Hi Carolyn, I would recomend an extra long shaft because even if you don't need the extra reach all the time it is there when you need it. I have an Tohatsu 6hp 25" shaft that I used on a rhodes22. Most of the time I was able to keep the motor positioned midway on motor mount travel thus placing pull start and throttle above the trasnsom within easy access. In rough chop I could drop it down and still easily reach controls. In flat water I raised it way up so prop was just bellow waterline resulting in less drag and good speed. I now use it as a spare on a hunter 27 which has a much higher transom and am able to use it in the same way. Only draw back is extra weight and limited choice. I think you can only get one in 4stroke 6 and 9.9 hp. Also important to get a good motor mount the 9.9 4stk is right around 90lbs I think. Other options include electric start and electric tilt more weight yet...best deals are on internet shipped right to your front door. I have used mine for thee years trouble free and this fall in NY harbor after my diesel failled in some pretty rough stuff. So as you can tell I am more than pleased with my choice.....BTW..what are you using it on?...cheers frank

 

[BobM]

8 hp is also commonly available with an extra long shaft. 10hp is the max for your boat, from the specs I saw and is probably overkill for a 2100 lb boat.

 

[Carolyn1964]

I am using the engine on a 25 ft Venture. my displacement is 2100 without anything on the boat. I am leading towards an extra long shaft due to the potential of needing the engine in rougher seas. Thanks for the help. I am looking at a 8 hp Honda or a 9,9 Tohatsu.

Carolyn

 

[Patrick17430]

Just for the record, Tohatsu and Nissan are the same Company. You pay a couple dollars more for the Nissan. other than that, the paint colors are the only difference. I got a Tohatsu new on the net and saved $500 over the local dealer You get the same warranty and they do deliver it right to your house. Including the oil.

 

[RichBone]

A lot of us sail and motor in rough waters and a long shaft is adequate. If the shaft is too long then it won't clear the water when it's raised and tilted and will affect sailing performance. If you have a motor mount with extra long vertical travel that wouldn't be as much of a problem. If you start adding extras like electric start then you're adding more weight to lift when raising the motor out of the water. Personally 85# is the max that I would want to lift. Look also at the Mercury and check around at all the boat shops to see if you can find a 2009 model. Since almost all outboards of that size are made in Japan, the new models will cost more because of a weakened dollar. I was able to find one at Cabelas.

Rich

 

[Bob 04 H260]

I use a Honda 9.9 25" shaft and am very pleased with it. It is very quiet, always starts easily, great fuel mileage. I like the high output alternator, 12 amps even at a fast idle. Also the Honda has through the prop exhaust except in reverse, then exhaust is diverted up so the prop has more bite, like having power brakes when docking. The only disadvantage I know of with the Honda motors is that they are locked down when tilted down, they will not lift at all if you hit something, (don't ask how I know this ). I asked the Honda rep at the Miami boat show about this "feature" and they were quite surprised that these motors can not lift once tilted down. Also Honda has a 5 year warranty. If you get a 25" shaft motor be sure it will clear the water when heeled over. Consider the weight of a motor if trailering your boat.
Bob

 

[sinnettc]

I have a 2008 merc 4 HP long shaft and 2 position motor mount on Verboten. Pretty sure at the lowest position it would be more than fine for the San Juans - which we intend to cruise next summer!

 

[Carolyn1964]

Thanks so much for all the information. I found a good deal on a 2006 Yamaha extra long shaft 8 hp so that is my new engine. I am looking forward to an iron genny that I can rely on. The engine I had last year is a 1979 2 cycle johnson 9.9 long shaft,hard to start and unreliable. Thanks again to everyone

Carolyn