Mercury 23" shaft? 15hp 2 Stroke questions

[jmbtry]

First post here, new boat owner. I recently picked up a 2017 G3 Guide V16 XT, and I'm looking for an outboard for it. I found a local guy selling a good condition 2002 Mercury 15hp 2 Stroke. When I went to check it out he told me it was a "long shaft" and thats all he knew (older guy). My boat has a 20" transom, and this motor measures about 23" from the mount to the cavitation plate.

First off, if I ran it as is, would the 2.5ish inches that the cavitation is past the bottom of the boat create any major issues?
Second, is this motor considered as "20 inch" shaft? I cannot find any info on the 2002 2 Stroke mercs to compare model numbers. The serial number of the motor is OT499093, model 1015211ZD if that helps.

Thanks!

 

[Bondo]

My boat has a 20" transom,

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... yes, that motor is the wrong motor for yer boat,.... it's an Extra long shaft motor,...

You need a 20" motor,.....

 

[flyingscott]

That motor will work on your boat as long as that measurement is correct, It will be up to you to double check it. Shaft length is the most misunderstood thing on an outboard motor. The 15/20/25" measurement is actually the transom they will fit, NOT the shaft measurement. A 15" shortshaft motor will have a true measurement of around 18" give or take depending on manufacturer. A 20" shaft will measure closer to 23" once again depends on manufacturer. Same with a 25" motor will be closer to 28" give or take. I would make sure that 15 hp has a good lower unit as they are not the best design out there.

 

[jmbtry]

The motor is owned by an older gentleman who barely used it. He bought it as a backup motor because he "wanted to have a new motor for when they stopped making 2 strokes". What would I need to worry about on the lower unit? He started it up for me with 2 pulls and it ran good other than some blue smoke from his gas mix. The pee stream was strong running off of a hose and it overall looked like a new motor inside and out.

Im not dead set on that motor, I just want something sub $1k that isnt a total POS. I don't even care if I found 6 or 8hp, I dont want to go fast I just want something to get me around bigger lakes without having to just use the trolling motor.

 

[jmbtry]

Anyone else care to chime in? Ive got 2 responses w 2 different answers here.

 

[matt167]

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2...02-9ac8-cbaa53c0facd.jpg?16828250215859882019

considering the variance, I'd say you are good since the transom can measure up to 22.5" for a long shaft.. But really, yes the measurement is slightly greater than the transom height

 

[Sea Rider]

Is it possible to post a good pic showing middle to lower leg portion ? XXL shaft motors are usually 25 inch ones. Plainly in agreement about what Flyingscott states. There's a divorce between boat and outboard manufacturers regarding transom heights and leg lenghts for a perfect match. Motors having 15-20-25 shafts vary a bit in lenght between brands..

Happy Boating