Short shaft on long transom

[joeyd50]

Hi guys, I have a 18.5 foot Skeeter bass boat, I live in NJ where you are only allowed a 10HP outboard, I have a short shaft 9.9 Johnson, my boat takes a long shaft. What happens when you put a short shaft (15") motor on a 20" transom?<br /> Thanks<br /> Joe

 

[Joey One]

Re: Short shaft on long transom

The 15" is called the transom height; and it is the distance from the inside top of the motor bracket to the top of the propeller. So if your transom were 15", streamline water would flow from under your boat to all the blades of your propeller. <br />If you install the 15" on a 20" transom, and if the waterline is greater than 5"; the boat will still operate OK, but will not be as efficient as possible. And the exhaust noise may be louder than you like. Also you may get vibration from the prop.<br />But, try it; it may work OK.<br />Most important: check the water flow as soon as you start the motor. If no flow, shut her down.

 

[pwiseman]

Re: Short shaft on long transom

9.9 is not going to do you much good on the skeeter. I would consider a 14' aluminum boat - most of those are 15" transom and you can find them real cheap.

 

[joeyd50]

Re: Short shaft on long transom

Thanks guys, Im gonna try the 9.9, I been just using a trolling motor on the back. I know the 9.9 gota push it better then the trolling motor. Last time out I was on a big lake and killed 3 batteries and just made it back to the dock.<br /> Thanks<br /> Joe

 

[Lakebiker1st]

Re: Short shaft on long transom

You might be able to have an extension installed on your motor, short shaft to long shaft. I did one a few years ago to a Merc when I took it off my fishing rig and put it on my Pontoon boat. Worth looking at and not very expensive. That would be a lot better on the motor than running it the way you plan and a lot less expensive than a new motor or a rebuild!