measuring; you may have to "extend" the flat part of the a Detwiler manual jackplate. Or measure from the main engine prop up to the water line? Guide to Boat Transom Heights - Marine Parts Warehouse The transom angle is the vertical incline of the transom and is measured in degrees. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. With it comes a lot of responsibility and new things to learn including boat maintenance and boat basics. What Kind of Fuel Does Your Marine Engine Need? This is simply a measurement taken from the top of the transom (top of Trimming in, trimming down, and trimming out are all terms that a beginning boater should learn. Chances are the boat was designed with a specific size of outboard in mind. #3. center of the propshaft. Actually there is no designated letter for short shaft. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. PDF Outboard shaft lengths and transoms - Boat Builder Central Is my outboard long or short shaft? It is extremely important that the boater understands the significance of the transoms height. Also, how do you determine the length of an outboard transom? Measuring Motor Height - BassBoat Central In the second photo, we've measure down from the top of the Detwiler It also decreases the boats lift and increases the time it takes for the boat to reach plane. This is somewhat similar to #2, in that you are again measuring with a To break it down a bit more for you: Short shafts are 15-inches long. Step 4. The clamp bracket is designed so that the engine's mounting height on the transom can be adjusted higher than standard. This will be the resting on the transom if you had the motor all the way down on the boat Attention: Remember to measure the outboard shaft length straight up and down instead of measuring along the transom. Be sure to measure carefully and research thoroughly before diving in. Lastly, knowing the year of your motor and what style of controls you have (side mount, concealed side mount, or binnacle) is also a plus because it will tell the dealer if your current controls are compatible with the motor you are purchasing. brackets. Some fishing boats can handle the motor being underwater. since 1986. var h = d.getElementsByTagName("head"), s.setAttribute("rel", "stylesheet"); While this is the case there is certain saltwater motors that are extra extra long at 30 and 35 shaft. Place the rulers end on the ground behind the club and let the club to rest on top of it. You dont have to be a mathematician to determine the correct boat transomangle. 2 0 obj s = d.createElement("script"); Recommended Engine Oil 2-Stroke Outboard Motor Oil. How can you figure out what your transom angle is? This, however, is not recommended for the beginning boater. This would not be a good thing. As a yacht designer and boater, I prefer longer shafts. To achieve this, the motor itself has to be attached at the correct height. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Boats with more engine power and weight require longer shaft outboards for better balance. These two measurements will give you the length of the shaft you need. However, with the outboard shaft length too short, meaning the prop is too close to the surface, the engine is likely to ventilate and therefore slip on acceleration or lose power. Expectedly, when the transom angle is zero, it means it is flat. boats.com, 1221 Brickell Avenue, 23rd Floor, Miami, FL 33131, USA. maxAmount: 6500.0, The Best Way to Measure Prop to Pad | How to measure Outboard Motor Height This illustration depicts four different outboard mounting height options (courtesy Mercury Marine). Each one has a totally different effect on the boats performance. I live for the weekends when I can go out on the water and escape the stress of life on land. Beyond motorboats designed for large outboards, you will see outboards hanging on the sterns of everything from small canoes to large cruising sailboats. Mounting the motor lower on the boat transom can create excessive spray, increase case drag, reduce underwater clearance, and negatively impact faster boats. The first step is to determine the height of your boat's transom. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The brackets can add 1 inch to the overall mounting height of the outboard. On most newer center consoles and offshoreboat transoms might include a rear door leading to a swim platform as well as a molded setback bracket. trimming the motor out by one-half to full trim. However, there may be times when a boater strays away from these recommendations. Add yours in the comment and Ill get back to you asap. Setting Height of Outboard Motor - YouTube There is a simple test to see if your outboard motor is set at the best height. One of the main concerns is causing the engine to overheat if not enough water reaches the engine to keep it cool. If your boats transom height is 15-16, a short shaft engine is required, and if it is 20-21, a long shaft engine is required. How to Measure Shaft Length on Outboard Motor? - TrollinMotorsGuide It is unsafe to have the engine block too close to the water on a low transom. stream Whats the best height for my boat motor? This allows the engine to idle without the flow of the exhaust being restricted. So how to determine the outboard shaft length? This, however, is not recommended for the beginning boater. Mounting the outboard motor in accordance with the industry standards is important. Thats a fairly simple list of symptoms, but if your motor is too low, youll probably notice at least one of them. Like Westshore Marine & Leisure on Facebook! (Any measurement given as "off the transom" displayMicroOffers: false, At least if its too long you can raise the motor or "build up" your transom. Spark Plug 25.0nm(18.4 Ft-lb) (2.55 Kgf-m) What is the Virtual Sundance Film Festival? (function () { maxMicroAmount: 0.0, The motor is what powers the boat so the two go hand-in-hand. Charles Plueddeman is Boats.com's outboard, trailer, and PWC expert. Doing this can have adverse effects. var BCData = {"csrf_token":"d7ecb6b56891bb66aee12dbc01a80162b3ed582c1acbe30f16fc9f1b2abc362f"}; To sum up, there is a simple calculator of the shaft length for outboard motors: Outboard Shaft Length = Transom Height +/- Factors. Doing this can have adverse effects. With it comes a lot of responsibility and new things to learn including, Why your boat transom needs to be the right height, The pros and cons of properly mounting the outboard motor to the transom, Standard mounting is always best for the beginner, Of course, its always best to go with standard practices when choosing the, Lower mounting is not for the beginning boater, Mounting the motor lower on the boat transom, There is a simple test to see if your outboard motor is set at the best height. The boat transom can be flat with zero degree angles. Outboard Motor Shaft Length - LeeRoy's Ramblings This distance is very important to the performance of you boat. A: The short answer is Yes. A retired ship captain, Charpentier holds a doctorate in applied ocean science and engineering. h[0].appendChild(s); Pad to bottom of Youll need a short shaft outboard if its 15 or less than an inch shorter. All rights reserved. Among them will be first-timers or those who have recently purchased their boats. In the case of a dinghy or johnboat, this point may be the top of the transom. Follow Westshore Marine & Leisure on Wordpress! To do so, take a measurement from the very top to the very bottom of the transom in the precise center. This is probably the worst case scenario out of the two. Place the clubs bottom on the ground as though it were going to be used to strike a golf ball. Make sure that you are measuring straight up, at a 90 degree angle to How to Raise Outboard Motor on Transom? - Raising the Outboard Motor This measurement was approximately 4". This measurement is primarily designed for single motor propulsion. As with anything, there are exceptions to the rule. Typical motor lengths include the following. No matter what size of boat you are running, one of the most critical choices you can make when buying an outboard motor is the shaft length. Generally, short shaft outboards are 15 inches, long shaft outboards are 20 inches, and extra-long outboards are 25 inches. loadScript(ptScript); Some boats are equipped with transom-hung outboards while others have a bracket. Boat Transom Heights The Beginners Guide, Buying a boat can be an exciting purchase. Keep these numbers in mind if you ever have a need for a new outboard motor for your boat. ), and place it on the bottom of the pad in the center. Place the bracket on the transom to the left of the main outboard or rudder. The lowest point will likely be directly under your drain plug if youve got one. bracket. ensure that your measurement is accurate. I believe 20 to 21 inches is the optimum length for a lengthy shaft. A1: Broadly speaking, the outboard motor shaft length for pontoon boat, bass boat, or other larger boats should be long shaft. Happy boating! The propellers will also have trouble reaching the water. If you decide to make adjustments, please consult a marine engine dealer about the boat design. Now that you have a better understanding of boat transom heights its time to take out the ruler and get the perfect measurements. One of the great things about an outboard motor is how versatile it is. Propshaft in window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; Small motors built for sailboats might come in a unique configuration with an extremely long shaft since these are mounted higher off the water. Doing so, will put the propeller right below the boat. His works have appeared in regional newspapers in North Dakota and in "North Dakota Horizons" and "Cowboys and Indians" magazines. To do so, measure from the stern (back) of the boat to the midpoint of the hull on both sides. When the boattransom is too low, the motor could end up underwater. Remanufactured 4 Cylinder 4-Stroke Cylinder Heads, Remanufactured 6 Cylinder 4-Stroke Cylinder Heads, Trim Relays, Trim Solenoids & Sending Units, Remanufactured V6 & V8 4-Stroke Cylinder Heads, Volvo Cobra SX Bearings and Bearing Carriers, Volvo Cobra SX Driveshaft, U-Joints & Parts, Volvo Cobra SX Transom Assembly & Bellows. For vee-shaped hulls, the lowest spot of the hull will come to point, while on flat-bottomed boats it will be more or less level. bassboat can be a bit confusing at times; hopefully this will help sort Workboats, sailboats, and displacement-hulled boats fall into this category. The outboard comes with mounting holes and brackets. For boats equipped with a bracket, calculate the same measurement but based on the bracket and not the transom. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". An outboard motor can drive just about any sort of boat with proper mounting. %PDF-1.7 and I'll explain it better, (or point you to someone that can help. Thats it. 7. How high exactly do you have to raise the transom?- - Outboard Jets Bass boats, ski boats, or center cockpit vessels will want to double-check their measurements to get it just right. As you can see, the measurement is about 2 1/2". If it measures 15" or with in a inch of that you will need a short shaft outboard. He is also a certified marine technician and the author of a popular text on writing local history. How to Measure Outboard Shaft Length: The Only Guide You Need It will ensure that the outboards trim will be effective, and it will save you gas too. The standard installation of an outboard has the top of the transom of the boat at the same level as the bottom of the motor portion of the outboard. The anti-cavitation plate above the prop needs to be within an inch of the bottom of the transom, therefore, the prop should be well below the transom. Also, the boat will be more likely to hit bottom or submerge objects such as rocks or logs. primeApr: 12.99, The same is true for the newest, high-powered offshore fishing boats, where triple or quadruple motor setups are becoming more and more common. Then open up the clamp bucket. Since the ventilation plate & foil are burried under water it is obviously too low. Then test the boat and adjust the height, if necessary . But, how do you measure it? Simply start with the engine in idle, followed bytrimming the motor out by one-half to full trim. #2. Once you know what will fit on your hull, you can fine-tune your choice based on the performance youre looking for and how you use the boat. MPW eBay Store - Thousands of New OEM Old Stock Parts! To make the yard stick long enough to measure the length of all the clubs, tape the ruler to the top. There are 2 steps to help get a relatively accurate figure. If you have already measured you transom tip to bottom to be 20", then if you place aux sdieways to central engine your available transom height will be probably 1"-1.5" " higher and work perfecty. The outboard comes with mounting holes and brackets. Next, measure from your centerline to where the outboard will be mounted on each side. logoColor: "original", Measure from the top of the straight edge to the center of the front Boost Speed with Outboard Engine Height Adjustments Simply start with the engine in idle, followed by, If you decide to make some custom adjustments we have the. August 9/08). addyd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 = addyd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 + 'vanssports' + '.' + 'com'; 1 0 obj Gear Oil Quantity 195ml(6.6 Fl.oz.) publicId: "32bf3437d1346295e03ebcf545f9c839", The mounting height of an outboard motor can impact the speed and handling characteristics of the boat. You can use a longer shaft than recommended and your boat will work fine. If you go too short your more than likely going to cavitate and loose power. There are instances where a lower mount may be okay. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Boat transomangles play a pivotal role in the flexibility of the boats trimming abilities. Which Navigation Lights Does Your Boat Need? See diagram below. Other factors to consider when determining the mounting height of an outboard are related to performance. the propshaft below or above the pad. Usually speaking, the farther the outboard is set off the transom, the higher the propeller should be in the water (or the higher the outboard can be mounted). When the right length motor is hung on the transom of a boat, the cavitation plate (the large plate that extends out over the propeller) should be even with the very bottom of the boat. Add the two measurements and you get 6 1/2". function mpeInit() { In lower mounting, the engine is set lower than the recommended standard. Should I take the raft onto the water and measure the exact distance from the top of the transom to the water line? The height of the transom is estimated by using the center line to measure from the bottom of the hull to the top of the transom. The faster your boat, the more critical it is to get the sizing just right. What Is the Transom of a Boat? EXPLAINED - My Cruiser Life No one wants to have issues with a new transom or boat repairs. Engine Oil Mixing Ratio Fuel 50: Engine Oil 1. This is a measurement that has been used for BassCats, I'm AztH ^zv_ cT,E1K/rAB54| You must be still in the blue about that matter. With some boats I have a pretty good idea as to what length motor should be hung on them. Take your time and understand your boat and your entire transom. The transom is the rear wall of the boat where the outboard engine is mounted in the middle. Place the point of a yardstick at the middle of the top of the boat transom. 7. var addyd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 = 'info' + '@'; Among them will be first-timers or those who have recently purchased their boats. debugMode: false, Buying a boat can be an exciting purchase. The how to measure the shaft length of an outboard motor is a question that many people have asked. Anything bigger than that your obviously going to need an extra long shaft. I show you how to consistently measure your prop to pad height. Oftentimes you will want to adjust the outboard shaft length in order to improve the boat performance such as speed. No one wants to have issues with a new transom or boat repairs. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. How high exactly do you have to raise the transom?-. Most of the standard engined boats it takes shafts that are 15-30inches long. Beginning boaters should be aware of the boats measurements. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Figuring out how to measure motor height on a Its important to note that manufacturers call their models different things. MarinePartsMan.com also says that V6 bass-boat engines have a 20-inch shaft. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. How the outboard will sit on the back of the boat depends on how the transom is designed. The center is the point where your outboard motor is (ideally) located. }) } }); })(document); In the case of a larger offshore boat, it may be to the top of a cutout on the . Always weigh the risks of making adjustments. Always weigh the risks of making adjustments. Why wont Touch ID be under the screen in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16? h[0].appendChild(s); Cavitation plates are used on the bottom components of boats to help them operate better. endobj Each one has a totally different effect on the boats performance. However, the motor should not be raised more than 5 inches above the standard position. x\[D~OUCO6[j](l%ay <8cylY{.L2s#]~U6A|Wj]-oo|mubqY6wbY_|!>Z8(RB:RHeTzOGO_=~t\ :$I>M W$h"%U_yzIb?]NHg_G|r@nX eTf."SQ The propellers will also have trouble reaching the water. This exhaust port should be about 1 inch above the water line when the boat is idling. Sailboats use these sometimes, as well as some boaters who want to install a much smaller auxiliary motor to use in case of primary engine failure. I run a 9.9 Mercury Bigfoot 20" shaft off the swim platform of my 89 Trophy 2160. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; However, the shaft length for smaller boats could be long or short depending on its style, speed requirement, etc. Measure the area of the transom directly where the engine will be mounted. Re: Dinghy with a long shaft motor? Industry standards dictate that for short shaft engines the transom height should be 15. It is where the outboard is mounted, and some boat owners place the name of the boat. To do so, you will want to measure at the exact center of the transom from the very top to the very bottom. A reversetransom that sits too high can impact the propellers of the motor and motor bracket. mpeSelector: ".pt-mpe", This restriction includes most fishing boats and longer sailboats. former editor at Boating Magazine and contributor to many national publications out the confusion. When the boat transom is too low, the motor could end up underwater. LOYALHEARTDY Outboard Motor 6 HP 2-Stroke Inflatable Fishing Boat Follow Westshore Marine & Leisure on Twitter! Any owner seeking the last bit of speed from an outboard-powered boat should grab a yard stick. The average transom angle is around 14 degrees. All you need to do is measure how much to rise. To do so, you will want to measure at the exact center of the transom from the very top to the very bottom. (3) Move horizontally across the chart until you hit the graph curve. Use the mounting bracket on the motor to know where it will sit on the boat. There are instances where a lower mount may be okay. WHAT LENGTH OUTBOARD DO YOU REALLY NEED? - Van's Sport Center Before we start measuring the outboard shaft length, lets get it clear about whats referring to when we talk about the outboard shaft length. Boat transom angles play a pivotal role in the flexibility of the boats trimming abilities. Ideally, you want the outboards cavitation plate, also called the anti-ventilation plate, to be at the same level as the bottom of your hull. The pressure behind your hand dropped as you slid your hand back and forth through the water. (616) 364-0666, On all contiguous US part orders over $100. Using your existing control box and gauges will save you quite a bit of money in the end. var xmlHttp = new XMLHttpRequest(); Proper Mounting Height for an Outboard - Gone Outdoors If you have a short shaft motor, the distance between the top of the transom and the bottom of the boat should be between 15 and 16 inches. The transom is the flat vertical section at the rear of the boat. Picking the right shaft length for your outboard is an essential step in getting the best performance from your boat. The boater must also consider if the boat transomsupport is designed to bear the weight of a higher mount. Look at the part of your motor that would be Adjusting the mounting height of an outboard on the boat transom can affect performance and every boat can be different, so actual on-water testing is best. What Is Boat Transom Height? | Gone Outdoors | Your Adventure Awaits The shaft length for outboard motors has nothing to do with the water line. Shaft lengths are available in increments of 5. What matters is the actual measurement in the specifications, not the name. The height of the transom is calculated by measuring from the bottom of the hull to the top of the transom, using the center line. The general guideline for longer shaft outboards is that the transom height should be at least 20 inches (50,8cm) above the waterline. To achieve 35 mph with a 6 hp engine, the total weight is 135 lbs (boat motor fuel passengers). There are a series of four to six holes at the top of the bracket, and the lower bolts actually fit into slots. The dealer just hit you with the long or short shaft question and you have no clue as to what you need or even what he's talking about. And thats usually the case since the electric outboards are designed with larger and more efficient propeller that needs longer shaft. This will keep the prop in the water when the boat pitches in waves, or hobby-horses. Step 2: Three Variables to Consider They keep water out of your prop and increase water pressure in the system. Required fields are marked *. Measure from there down to the top of the cavitation plate, also known as the anti-ventilation plate. You reply, "Im not sure, I think its a long". s = d.createElement("link"); Whether you already own a boat or looking for your first watercraft we are here to service your needs. Your email address will not be published. A yardstick will help you determine if your outboard engine is at the right height. Because of the increased friction, cavitation reduces efficiency. How-To: Pick A Great Portable Outboard Motor (2023 Guide) With this in mind, how can I determine if my outboard has a short or long shaft? Before we get started lets see what a boat transom is and what it does. Lubrication System Engine Oil Mixed Gasoline. <> These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Check out the full chart of the Mercury outboard model code and its features. PayTomorrow.mpeInit({ from the transom. There Any questions? xmlHttp.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'application/json'); Copyright 1999-2023 Boats Group. Again, make sure that you are measuring to the flat part of the brackets; This placement is not only recommended but it will give you the best performance compared to something that is too long or too short. If youre looking for a bracket that can handle motors of up to 10/15 horsepower, go no further. Industry transom height standards have been evolved during the last 30 years: 15 for short shaft engines, 20 for long shaft engines, and 25 for extra-long shaft engines. Industry standards dictate that for short shaft engines the transom height should be 15. % Outboard Motor Shaft Length For Pontoon Boat - Survival Tech Shop You It was a 23-foot Crestliner Grand Cayman pontoon boat. For vessels with transom-mounted outboards, you can easily figure out which type of outboard you need to get. See When St. Peters Basketball Games Are Today! This transom saver will support the weight of your outboard throughout your road travel, steadily bracing it against the trailer frame to relieve your transom of the weight and impact from consistent bouncing. This provides seaworthiness and offers maximum protection from large seas. The motor length corresponds to the transom height of the boat, measured from the keel to gunwale at the transom. The current measurement is the ventilation plate is about 1 1/2" above the true keel line which is about 24" in front of the motor edge. The transom angle is the vertical incline of the transom and is measured in degrees. This also means it can affect the safety of the boat. bracket forward with a straight edge to where you can then measure up The amount of degrees the transom leans back from vertical is known as the transom angle. When measuring the transom height, you should start from the hull's bottom at the boat's center line up to the top of the transom. Other boats that need long shafts are. Many boat transoms are modified to use a different length of outboard by using a bracket. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. jackplate to a point level with the top of the transom. minAmount: 300.0, <>/ExtGState<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 595.2 841.8] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> For over five years he has worked as a newspaper reporter and historic researcher. *The Factors indicates the adjustment affected by on your boat type, the outboard working environment, and the transom distance as discussed above. For example, you can have the Mercury outboard shaft length by model code. As summer approaches there will be more boaters taking to the water. Installing a Kicker Motor Bracket - Gone Outdoors Now that you have a better understanding of boat transom heights its time to take out the ruler and get the perfect measurements. The transom is the back of the boat where the motor is hung. hulls, such as Allisons, Bullets, Strokers, etc., this measurement could With such an important, long-term, and expensive upgrade, its never a bad idea to double-check. The rearmost structural member of your boat, it not only distributes the stress of the hull generated by the bow's impact as it cleaves the water, it's the place you hang your outboard motor. Step 2: After you get the transom height, add the radius of the propeller (check the user manual, and then technical drawing for the number) to calculate the minimum shaft length needed to make it work. priceSelector: ".price--withoutTax, span.price.price--withTax", Small portable outboards ranging from 2 to 20 horsepower are usually sold only in short or long shaft versions. A: The answer varies by boat, but here are some rules of thumb for matching a short shaft outboard to your boat. Extra-extra long shafts are 30-inches long. Will Charpentier is a writer who specializes in boating and maritime subjects. So you should just measure the height of the boat's transom from the center down to the lowest point of the hull, and compare transom height with the outboard shaft length numbers. Remember, if you use a longer outboard shaft than you need you will be increasing your draft. If you have a small boat with a 15 to 17 inch aft transom, youll most likely need a short shaft outboard. Determining Your Boat Transom Angle The transom angle - commonly measured in degrees - is the transom's vertical inclination.
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