Long shaft/Short shaft issue with small outboard

[golf101]

This is related to another thread I've got going, but, because it's a different focus, I thought I'd post it separately. I am looking at a 9.9 hp at a local liquidator to put on a small skiff I am getting ready to build. The boat plans call for a short shaft outboard up to 15 hp. The 9.9 this liquidator has is a long shaft (20"). The liquidator is saying that all I need to do is get a jack plate to raise the motor up on the transom and I'll be fine. Is that right? Any issues or concerns with doing this?

 

[nwcove]

Re: Long shaft/Short shaft issue with small outboard

read your other thread, and i dont think its a good idea for you to raise the motor up, its a small light boat, and messing with the center of gravity will probably make it somewhat unstable.
if the price is right tho, you can probably convert the longshaft, to a shortshaft on the cheap.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Long shaft/Short shaft issue with small outboard

Contact the skiff manufacturer and inquire about placing a 5" jack plate at transom to match a long shaft 9.9 engine, he should know. If that skiff has a solid built transom, no problem at all...

Happy Boating

 

[nwcove]

Re: Long shaft/Short shaft issue with small outboard

with all do respect, dont modify the boat, even if the company that sells the plans says its ok (i doubt they will). you are looking at putting a relatively fast boat into the hands of an 11 year old kid, an accident on the water can have a quick and bad result. ( maybe im going "overboard", but things can happen fast....when yer going fast)

 

[JimS123]

Re: Long shaft/Short shaft issue with small outboard

Look at the plans carefully. The first boat I built had a transom height that was exactly 20". If I wanted to use a short shaft it came with a template to cut the center down 5". If that's the case, then go for either height. If it would require adding some height, then stick with the shorty.