Recommended Outboard length?

[frustratedboater]

Not sure if this is in the right forum..... Just purchased a 1972 22' Mako CC. My particular model has the transom that drops down to accommodate the engine(s). I took off: 2- 79' Evinrude 85hp's from the boat and am looking to re-power it. My transom measures 20" from top to the bottom. I'd like to power it with 200-225 hp, but there aren't too many 20" motors, but many 25's. There is one 97' Evinrude Vindicator with a 20" length unit that came off a bass boat. Would a motor like this be alright on a boat this size, OR should I stay with a 25" and mount it a tad higher?

 

[ahicks]

I don't think there was such a thing as a 25" when your boat was built. Now the 25" are the more common setup when it comes to boats that size. Point being, I think you're going to be looking at older motors to get the 20" length you're after.

The next issue is the fact that there were darn few motors the size of the one you're interested in back then. Thinking that might help explain the twin 85's.

I would NOT install a 25" motor on a boat set for 20" without some type of modifications that would be sturdy enough to handle that kind of power. That mod would need to be done by somebody that knows what they are doing - above my pay grade at least. Talking with an outfit that does some aluminum fabricating would likely be my first move. Maybe getting the transom replaced would be the one after that.

-OR-

Just see what you can do regarding a 20" motor.

 

[frustratedboater]

The outboards were mounted about 2" above the transom. The "hanger" on the motor wasn't resting on the top of the transom. I've seen this on many others to match the cav-plate height, so I was wondering if I could do the same.

I was thinking about an aluminum duel mount bracket off it. It would provide me more deck space.. I don't want to fab the transom if I don't have to and a bracket would provide more broader support. I appreciate your incite and view!

 

[QBhoy]

Surely just a usual long shaft that’s the norm in that kind of size of motor would do, after setting up the height on the transom. A 25” I think would be an extra long shaft. Off the top.

 

[sphelps]

20 inch transom should be right for a long shaft motor . Measure from the vent plate to the bottom of the mount that rests on the transom on the motor your wanting to install . Vent plate should run even or a tad below the hull bottom ..Its not uncommon for the motor to be raised a bit off the mounting bracket on the transom .. Just not too high ..

 

[dingbat]

From the source...20” shaft which unfortunately leaves you with bass boat motors.

https://www.makoboats.com/past-model...tBoatYear=1971

 

[gm280]

You always have the option of installing a jack plate setup. Then you can raise or lower the engine to whatever you like. Just an idea...

 

[ahicks]

The outboards were mounted about 2" above the transom. The "hanger" on the motor wasn't resting on the top of the transom. I've seen this on many others to match the cav-plate height, so I was wondering if I could do the same.

I was thinking about an aluminum duel mount bracket off it. It would provide me more deck space.. I don't want to fab the transom if I don't have to and a bracket would provide more broader support. I appreciate your incite and view!

Regarding the 2" height, remember twins are not centered. They're set for the height of the bottom to one side of center, not at the full depth like you'll need at the center of the V bottom.

Regarding a jack plate, using a 25" motor on a 20" boat would have the jack plate at or near the top of it's travel, with no advantage to ever lowering it. Kind of a waste of money, no? The alum bracket is kinda what I was thinking of when mentioning somebody that's able to fabricate something from alum. as long as they were able to assure it's not going to tear the transom up. Over stressing the transom would be a concern I would have regarding a near 50 year old boat - no matter what it was rated for originally.

Geez, this is a fishing boat, right? 150-175 seems like plenty of power to me, and shouldn't be that hard to find in a 20" shaft.