I have looked at every post on the short/long debate...I still don't know what to get. It seems that short works if the motor or captain is heavy and adding weight to the rear. But there are a bunch of people that say long is the only way to avoid cavitation. Of course, you have the "why do you need a motor" crowd...which is no help at all. Perhaps design changes (i.e. heavier centerboard) have made earlier posts moot. So...on a brand new 2002 Hunter 170, what motor should I buy. I am looking at a used Mercury 3.3 for $450 but I want to make the right choice. E-mail me if you want: jeffwingo@msn.com
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Alan Long
If I may suggest
Check out a Honda 2hp with long shaft. They don't have a forward-neutral-reverse transmission (like many small outboards), but they do have a centrifugal clutch that stops the propeller at idle. They are reasonably smooth, very quiet, clean, efficient lightweight and you can find a new one for around 850 bucks. You won't regret getting the long shaft.
Check out a Honda 2hp with long shaft. They don't have a forward-neutral-reverse transmission (like many small outboards), but they do have a centrifugal clutch that stops the propeller at idle. They are reasonably smooth, very quiet, clean, efficient lightweight and you can find a new one for around 850 bucks. You won't regret getting the long shaft.
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Paul Akers
Think about this...
If you're in rough water and under power, and the boat is pitching, then your shaft may pop out of the water if it is short. Also think about the stresses that are forced upon the motor and transom as the motor re-enters the water and bites in again. A long shaft eliminates most of this by not exiting the water and keeps a more steady drive. That's why long shafts are made. In the long run, IMHO, it's worth getting the long shaft.
If you're in rough water and under power, and the boat is pitching, then your shaft may pop out of the water if it is short. Also think about the stresses that are forced upon the motor and transom as the motor re-enters the water and bites in again. A long shaft eliminates most of this by not exiting the water and keeps a more steady drive. That's why long shafts are made. In the long run, IMHO, it's worth getting the long shaft.
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Frank Sears
Long or short
I didn't take the time to read the other sailors remarks so they may have said the same as I. What kind of water are you sailing? If its water with swells/waves/chop your boat it going to be riding the waves with either it's bow or stern out of the water. I have a long shaft, and I wish it was another foot longer... With a 2/3 foot chop, my propeller still comes out of the water and cavitates.
I didn't take the time to read the other sailors remarks so they may have said the same as I. What kind of water are you sailing? If its water with swells/waves/chop your boat it going to be riding the waves with either it's bow or stern out of the water. I have a long shaft, and I wish it was another foot longer... With a 2/3 foot chop, my propeller still comes out of the water and cavitates.
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Rick Webb
Check With Your Mercury Dealer
Many of these have an extension kit available. So if you got the engine you are looking at and needed the extra 5" you could add it on. BTW why do you need an engine at all?
Many of these have an extension kit available. So if you got the engine you are looking at and needed the extra 5" you could add it on. BTW why do you need an engine at all?
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Jeff Wingo
Why I need a motor
A) to get back in if the wind dies. B) to get out to open water if the ramp is located up a creek.
A) to get back in if the wind dies. B) to get out to open water if the ramp is located up a creek.
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Guest
Jeff, Here is a different opinion. What is the
depth of the 170 from the motor mount to the bottom of the hull? I'd guess not very much. A standard shaft motor will probably place the prop deep enough to work in all but the nastiest of waves and I doubt you would be out in that water. To modify a motor from short to long shaft is not a reasonable idea because of the cost. A long shaft motor also requires a very high lift factor to completely rise above the water when you tilt it up to sail. I have a long shaft Honda 9.9 on my H26 and I had to modify the factory mount to allow it to clear the water when lifted. And guess what? When we get the 3 to 5 foot waves it also comes out of the water. On those days you simply slow down and change the angle of attact on the incomming waves. Hope this helps and saves you some money. Unless you plan to take this motor to your next boat I would just buy the std shaft. Besides most dealers will allow you a short trial period with an exchance possibility. If not, try the next dealer. Ray S/V Speedy
depth of the 170 from the motor mount to the bottom of the hull? I'd guess not very much. A standard shaft motor will probably place the prop deep enough to work in all but the nastiest of waves and I doubt you would be out in that water. To modify a motor from short to long shaft is not a reasonable idea because of the cost. A long shaft motor also requires a very high lift factor to completely rise above the water when you tilt it up to sail. I have a long shaft Honda 9.9 on my H26 and I had to modify the factory mount to allow it to clear the water when lifted. And guess what? When we get the 3 to 5 foot waves it also comes out of the water. On those days you simply slow down and change the angle of attact on the incomming waves. Hope this helps and saves you some money. Unless you plan to take this motor to your next boat I would just buy the std shaft. Besides most dealers will allow you a short trial period with an exchance possibility. If not, try the next dealer. Ray S/V Speedy
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Renier Scheening
H170 Long vs Short
Jeff, I have a long shaft Honda 2HP 4 stroke on my 1999 H170. I also contemplated what length. Hunter said long, as did the Honda dealer who also deals with sailboats. It has worked out great and on the occasions when I'm motoring over boat wakes the prop stays submerged. Go long and happy sailing!
Jeff, I have a long shaft Honda 2HP 4 stroke on my 1999 H170. I also contemplated what length. Hunter said long, as did the Honda dealer who also deals with sailboats. It has worked out great and on the occasions when I'm motoring over boat wakes the prop stays submerged. Go long and happy sailing!
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Jeff Wingo
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Den
Long
Get a long shaft motor. I just bought a 170 with a Honda 2 HP long shaft (21"). They make a long shaft by bolting an extension onto the normal(15") shaft at the anti-cavitaion plate. With no load the 15" anti-caviataion plate is right at the water line. The extra 7" places the top of the jprop ~ 8" below the water. This leaves enough clearance for waves etc.
Get a long shaft motor. I just bought a 170 with a Honda 2 HP long shaft (21"). They make a long shaft by bolting an extension onto the normal(15") shaft at the anti-cavitaion plate. With no load the 15" anti-caviataion plate is right at the water line. The extra 7" places the top of the jprop ~ 8" below the water. This leaves enough clearance for waves etc.
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Michael Stuart
Shaft it
I have a 170, probably since its first model year. I have a Yamaha 3HP, I think it is a long shaft. I sail on a lake from a dock. I need a motor since sometimes the wind is not at the dock to allow me to sail off, or the wind is in the wrong direction to sail out or in. Or the wind dies when I am out there. Get a motor. You will have the same experience. The 170 is too heavy and unwieldy a boat not to have a motor. My 3HP is more than enough. If I could do it again, I'd get a smaller engine. The bigger the engine, the more weight, mostly high above the waterline, resulting in instability when you heel, and you will heel in this boat. When you heel too much in the wrong direction, the high weight of the motor acts to enhance your heeling -- not good, unless you want to swim. My 0.02, get a smaller motor. So it has no reverse gear (mine doesn't). You turn the motor around. Less to go wrong mechanically, too. _/)
I have a 170, probably since its first model year. I have a Yamaha 3HP, I think it is a long shaft. I sail on a lake from a dock. I need a motor since sometimes the wind is not at the dock to allow me to sail off, or the wind is in the wrong direction to sail out or in. Or the wind dies when I am out there. Get a motor. You will have the same experience. The 170 is too heavy and unwieldy a boat not to have a motor. My 3HP is more than enough. If I could do it again, I'd get a smaller engine. The bigger the engine, the more weight, mostly high above the waterline, resulting in instability when you heel, and you will heel in this boat. When you heel too much in the wrong direction, the high weight of the motor acts to enhance your heeling -- not good, unless you want to swim. My 0.02, get a smaller motor. So it has no reverse gear (mine doesn't). You turn the motor around. Less to go wrong mechanically, too. _/)
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Edward L Smith
Long Shaft Definitly
I have 170 and had the opprtunity to use both. I don't think the short shaft would be a problem on small lakes but definitly a problem in large bays and lakes. If you have a one foot wave following, the prop will be out of the water after the wave picks you up. weight of the operator, I'm 310 and the 170 doesn't care. That 3.3 Merc sounds like a good deal, if it is long shaft. I have operated off a beach with out the motor and thatis fine, but when docking, I got news for all those elitists. Fair Winds and Following Seas.
I have 170 and had the opprtunity to use both. I don't think the short shaft would be a problem on small lakes but definitly a problem in large bays and lakes. If you have a one foot wave following, the prop will be out of the water after the wave picks you up. weight of the operator, I'm 310 and the 170 doesn't care. That 3.3 Merc sounds like a good deal, if it is long shaft. I have operated off a beach with out the motor and thatis fine, but when docking, I got news for all those elitists. Fair Winds and Following Seas.
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Jeff Wingo
Survey says.....
The votes are in and pretty much everyone agress that the long shaft is the way to go...BTW, I passed on the Merc 3.3...it was a short shaft and the guy wanted $110 for shipping...no, thanks.
The votes are in and pretty much everyone agress that the long shaft is the way to go...BTW, I passed on the Merc 3.3...it was a short shaft and the guy wanted $110 for shipping...no, thanks.
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