short or long shaft?

[Lee ones]

i just obtained a 1974 Catalina 22.it has a mounting bracket on stern port side.the top of the mounting board(where the out board sits),is 17 inches from the water line when the motor mount is in the lowered position. I could move the whole mount down 2 inches, but i dont know if this would effect the ability to reach back , steer and change speed or gears. any advice on if i need a long shaft out board, or will a short shaft work also. boat will be used mainly in the bay, but occassionally in the gulf on nice days.thanks lee

 

[Barry Broyles]

Long shaft

Lee:Use a long shaft motor,that is what the owners manual for my 1973 C22 recomends. I've found that even with a long shaft the power head is sometimes very close to the water, especially when there are several adults in the cockpit. At other times such as crossing a large wake the prop sometimes comes out of the water. I would hate to see how much more often that these things would happen with a short shaft motor mounted lower. My motor is a 1973 Evinrude 6 hp long shaft and is about 6 or 7 inches longer than a standard motor.Barry Broyles C22 # 1909 "Brighteyes"

 

[Robert W. Bonney]

Long Shaft

I would definitely get a long shaft engine. In heavier seas, even the long shaft is very close to coming out of the water. I definitely want the added security of more engine in the water.

 

[ken]

I agree

Lee..................I agree with Robert and Barry....... long shaft on a C22 is the only way to go. I have a long shaft 20"...... if I had it to do over again..... I would opt for an extra long (25") shaft. Good luck!!