Shaft Length for 17-3/4" Transom?

[larryengel]

What shaft length outboard should I get for a 14' SeaSwirl (early 60s) that has a transom height of 17-3/4"? It seems like a tweener between short and long shaft.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Shaft Length for 17-3/4" Transom?

Welcome!!<br /><br />Interesting situation. We're assuming there is no step -- IE, the transom goes straight down to the keel. <br /><br />Theres a couple of options. <br />1- Use a 15" motor mounted all the way down and use a really good prop like a Turbo.<br />2- Use a 20" motor and a manual jackplate.<br /><br />Depending on what motor you want to use, I might be tempted to go for the 20" motor.

 

[JB]

Re: Shaft Length for 17-3/4" Transom?

Hi, Larry.<br /><br />I suspect that you measured the surface of the transom and that it is "tilted" in at the bottom.<br /><br />Measure again, only measure straight down from the top of the transom, perpendicular to the bottom. That should give you a measurement a lot closer to 15", which is the shaft length I would use.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[larryengel]

Re: Shaft Length for 17-3/4" Transom?

Originally posted by JB:<br /> Hi, Larry.<br /><br />I suspect that you measured the surface of the transom and that it is "tilted" in at the bottom.<br /><br />Measure again, only measure straight down from the top of the transom, perpendicular to the bottom. That should give you a measurement a lot closer to 15", which is the shaft length I would use.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[larryengel]

Re: Shaft Length for 17-3/4" Transom?

Thanks for the quick reply. <br />Actually, if you measure straight down, it's about 17"...the transom angle is not very steep. <br />At 17", would you suggest the jackplate or go with a 15"? I'm leaning toward the jackplate so that I could get it exactly right.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Shaft Length for 17-3/4" Transom?

What size motor are you contemplating?<br />Some of the smaller ones have an approximate 17" shaft length, at least one of mine does.

 

[larryengel]

Re: Shaft Length for 17-3/4" Transom?

I'm getting a 40hp. Yes, 17" would be perfect.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Shaft Length for 17-3/4" Transom?

I think you are gonna have to go with a 20" shaft. You can always raise the motor a couple inches when you mount it, but you can't lower a 15" motor. Its getting kind of hard to find a short shaft 40 hp anyways.