It'll get you across the Pond,....... But Not Very Well........<br /><br />Handling,+ Any kind of Speed will be Impossible.......<br /><br />TOOOOOOOooo Much Lowerunit in the Water..........
I seen it done before by attaching a 2x6 to the top of the transom. It looked kind of unsafe but it was working and that was a 50 hp merc on a 14' aluminum Arkansas Traveler. I don't think its a good idea to try this however.
I've used a longshaft on a short transom and the things that are noticable are increased fuel usage and lower top speed. If you can live with this, it's no problem whatsoever.<br /><br />Though you have to jack up the boat on the trailer or you run the risk of either the prop or lower unit hitting the ground!
Thank you all for your advice! I am in the process of replacing the wood in my transom and will fill in the notch and reenfoce it with 1/4 inch aluminum.