The mounting height of the outboard engine is the equivalent of the distance between the base of the motor and the top of the propeller. My family and I used it to fish, ski (yes, you can ski behind a pontoon boat), and cruise the lakes near our home. Amazon has plate extensions to allow adjustments without buying a new motor: T-H Marine Jack Plate Extension. Or it can have an angle degree as high as 30. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. These two measurements will give you the length of the shaft you need. primeApr: 12.99, Engine Oil Type Genuine or Recommended 2str Engine Oil. Displacement hulled vessels like sailboats and workboats can benefit from a little more space between the hull and cavitation plate, but not much. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The distance between the ends of a transom is measured in inches. You can order an outboard in lengths ranging from 15 inches to 30 inches, depending on its power output and possible uses. Higher mounting decisions should be left to the professionals. debugMode: false, Raising an outboard higher on the transom can reduce drag and raise top speed. A big NO. Trimming in, trimming down, and trimming out are all terms that a beginning boater should learn. Wherever the outboard clamping bracket is, use this as the basis for measurement. There are a series of four to six holes at the top of the bracket, and the lower bolts actually fit into slots. var xmlHttp = new XMLHttpRequest(); The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Measure from the top of the straight edge to the center of the front s = d.createElement("link"); If the propeller fails to ventilate, the motor is mounted to low. Your goal is to measure how the outboard will sit, so start from the clamping plate and follow the centerline of the hull. function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} This provides seaworthiness and offers maximum protection from large seas. actually have the propshaft above the pad.). Check out the Westshore Marine & Leisure Youtube page! If the height of the boat transom is off it can cause major issues. Motor height on pontoon? | Boating Forum - iboats Boating Forums Or measure from the main engine prop up to the water line? <>/ExtGState<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 595.2 841.8] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Once you know what will fit on your hull, you can fine-tune your choice based on the performance youre looking for and how you use the boat. On the downside, a higher mount can interfere with the boaters steering capabilities. The motor length corresponds to the transom height of the boat, measured from the keel to gunwale at the transom. If it measures anywhere from 17" to around 22", then your going to want to go with a long shaft motor. You can use a longer shaft than recommended and your boat will work fine. I show you how to consistently measure your prop to pad height. One of the main concerns is causing the engine to overheat if not enough water reaches the engine to keep it cool. On the downside, a higher mount can interfere with the boaters steering capabilities. It is unsafe to have the engine block too close to the water on a low transom. var addy_textd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 = 'info' + '@' + 'vanssports' + '.' + 'com';document.getElementById('cloakd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5').innerHTML += ''+addy_textd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5+'<\/a>'; A long shaft engine requires a height of 20 and extra-long shaft engines will need a transom height of 25. Re: Dinghy with a long shaft motor? The transom in a boat today is a place to hang your outboard motor. The height of the boat transom dictates the size of the outboard motor. Tightening Torque for Engine. Now that you have a better understanding of boat transom heights its time to take out the ruler and get the perfect measurements. ensure that your measurement is accurate. What's the best height for my boat motor? relation to pad It is possible that the motor could hang low while transporting on the boat trailer causing future boat repairs. Increased RPM and additional horsepower feed the need for speed. So if you are measuring the outboard shaft length for smaller boats, inflatables, dinghies, sailboat or other low-speed work boats, the cavitation plate is often about 2 below the bottom. It is where the outboard is mounted, and some boat owners place the name of the boat. since 1986. Look at the part of your motor that would be If you are running a twin-engine setup, then measure the same distance from each clamping plate to the bottom of the hull. If you decide to make adjustments, please consult a marine engine dealer about the boatdesign. Generally, the anti-ventilation plate on most engines is aligned with the bottom of the vessel. Ask a friend to hold one end of a measuring tape at the extreme outer edge of the top of the transom while you pull the tape across its width to the opposite outer edge to measure the "length of the taffrail," which is the width of the boat across the top edge of the stern. Also, the boat will be more likely to hit bottom or submerge objects such as rocks or logs. Ideally, you want the outboards cavitation plate, also called the anti-ventilation plate, to be at the same level as the bottom of your hull. The shaft length for outboard motors has nothing to do with the water line. Oftentimes you will want to adjust the outboard shaft length in order to improve the boat performance such as speed. Measure from there down to the top of the cavitation plate, also known as the anti-ventilation plate. This is simply a measurement taken from the top of the transom (top of Allowing the propeller to pull water from underneath and push it out behind the boat. This will be the This measurement would be the inches of Before we start measuring the outboard shaft length, lets get it clear about whats referring to when we talk about the outboard shaft length. Basically, there are three main ways to measure motor height (that I'm aware of); probably the most common is: # 1: Height of the motor off the transom This is simply a measurement taken from the top of the transom (top of the aluminum plate on top of the transom), to the bottom of the motor "brackets". Use the mounting bracket on the motor to know where it will sit on the boat. The correct shaft length for your boat depends on a few factors. The height of the boat transom dictates the size of the outboard motor. Raising the motor increases the speed of the boat while decreasing the effort needed to turn the boat. var h = d.getElementsByTagName("head"), To achieve this, the motor itself has to be attached at the correct height. Here is a picture that shows you exactly where the outboard motor shaft length stands: Usually the shaft length for outboard motors falls into the following 4 sizes: In practice, you may find the outboard motor shaft length varies among different brands and manufacturers like the Honda,Suzuki, Yamaha, Torqeedo, etc. How to Measure Transom Height For vessels with transom-mounted outboards, you can easily figure out which type of outboard you need to get. AztH ^zv_ cT,E1K/rAB54| Some fishing boats can handle the motor being underwater. And the rule of thumb is that you should keep the cavitation plate level with the bottom or keel of the boat. If we run into that scenario, I would still show you the different options of motors and go over pricing, but I would also ask you to hold off and do one thing before you pull the trigger. Learn More About Your Boats Systems By Joining The Born Again Boating Academy! Why wont Touch ID be under the screen in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16? It is possible that the motor could hang low while transporting on the boat trailer causing future boat repairs. Outboard Motor Shaft Length: How do I measure? Basically, there are three main ways to measure motor Measure from the top of the transom to the bottom of the hull. The rearmost structural member of your boat, it not only distributes the stress of the hull generated by the bow's impact as it cleaves the water, it's the place you hang your outboard motor. Then adjust the motor in a higher hole with a flat head screwdriver. It varies between different motors and boats. Small motors built for sailboats might come in a unique configuration with an extremely long shaft since these are mounted higher off the water. Adjusting the mounting height of an outboard on the boat transom can affect performance and every boat can be different, so actual on-water testing is best. The transom is the "back wall" of your boat, the most rearward part of your hull. Extra-extra long shafts are 30-inches long. If youd like to see this in video format, skip to 0:44 in the below YouTube Video: Is it OK to put a long shaft outboard on a boat thats rated for a short shaft? This also means it can affect the safety of the boat. How To Measure Outboard Motor Shaft Length [Long v Short] - Boating Hub You dont have to be a mathematician to determine the correct boat transomangle. Ten years ago I bought my first boat. Simply start with the engine in idle, followed by, If you decide to make some custom adjustments we have the. Whats the best height for my boat motor? Should I take the raft onto the water and measure the exact distance from the top of the transom to the water line? The transom angle is the vertical incline of the transom and is measured in degrees. Most transom savers can support up to a 150HP motor, which is sufficient for most regular boats. Actual shaft length is 21.5" on those. However, you will need an understanding of how the degrees will alter the boats usability. This will ensure the best performance. In the photo above, we've measured from the motor bracket to the top of The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 2 0 obj Among them will be first-timers or those who have recently purchased their boats. Its still smart to measure it yourself though, just in case, the design changed over the years. One of the main concerns is causing the engine to overheat if not enough water reaches the engine to keep it cool. Measuring Motor Height - BassBoat Central <> By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. When it gets to the short side (14), When the inner corner of the square comes into touch with the transom, measure the distance between the inside corner of the square and the boat bottom (see drawing below). How the outboard will sit on the back of the boat depends on how the transom is designed. Most of the standard engined boats it takes shafts that are 15-30inches long. Check the literature about your model boat online, and you may be surprised to find that the number is published for you. Eq*^?6R83e+j}UY.(M7k]~4g)g ~wmS{ O7t/o(W|X? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The amount of degrees the transom leans back from vertical is known as the transom angle. of the motor off the transom Here we will guide you in how to get the right boat transom height. Keith Allen, a 1979 graduate of Valley City State College, has worked at a variety of jobs including computer operator, medical clinic manager, radio talk show host and potato sorter. former editor at Boating Magazine and contributor to many national publications To do so, you will want to measure at the exact center of the transom from the very top to the very bottom. The flat part of the bracket that rests on the transom when mounted will give you the same point of reference as the transom does on the boat. If you decide to make adjustments, please consult a marine engine dealer about the boat design. So you should just measure the height of the boats transom from the center down to the lowest point of the hull, and compare transom height with the outboard shaft length numbers. With some boats I have a pretty good idea as to what length motor should be hung on them. motor brackets Again, make sure that you are measuring to the flat part of the brackets; What types of boat need an extra long shaft? This email address is being protected from spambots. Place the clubs bottom on the ground as though it were going to be used to strike a golf ball. Place the bracket on the transom to the left of the main outboard or rudder. This, however, is not recommended for the beginning boater. h[0].appendChild(s); %PDF-1.7 7. Brackets are also handy for boats that do not have flat transoms, like canoe-stern sailboats or fan-tailed motor vessels. If you have an outboard motor, the distance from one end to another will be found on the side or on a label near its bottom. All things considered, sticking with the industry standard is best for the beginner. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. mpeInit(); Workboats, sailboats, and displacement-hulled boats fall into this category. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The lowest point will likely be directly under your drain plug if youve got one. Anything bigger than that your obviously going to need an extra long shaft. There is a simple test to see if your outboard motor is set at the best height. He is a The transom is the rear wall of the boat where the outboard engine is mounted in the middle. The height of the transom is calculated by measuring from the bottom of the hull to the top of the transom, using the center line. Boats with extended transoms, brackets that extend the mounting bracket for the outboard motor behind the back of the boat, can use a higher outboard height. *The Factors indicates the adjustment affected by on your boat type, the outboard working environment, and the transom distance as discussed above. Transom Outboard Engine Position - YouTube To do so, you will want to measure at the exact center of the transom from the very top to the very bottom. bracket. With the long side (22 1/2), place a carpenters square ) in opposition to the keel. To make the yard stick long enough to measure the length of all the clubs, tape the ruler to the top. measuring; you may have to "extend" the flat part of the As you can see, the measurement is about 2 1/2". Expectedly, when the transom angle is zero, it means it is flat. The general guideline for longer shaft outboards is that the transom height should be at least 20 inches (50,8cm) above the waterline. Attention: Remember to measure the outboard shaft length straight up and down instead of measuring along the transom. The boat transom can be flat with zero degree angles. This allows the engine to idle without the flow of the exhaust being restricted. This could also affect your travelling capabilities on the boat trailer. Also, how do you determine the length of an outboard transom? No one wants to have issues with a new transom or boat repairs. (function () { For slower boats, its less critical to. How to Measure a Boat Transom - Gone Outdoors So how to measure outboard shaft length? endobj Any questions? Measure straight down to the lowest point on the hull. The anti-cavitation plate above the prop needs to be within an inch of the bottom of the transom, therefore, the prop should be well below the transom. If it measures 15" or with in a inch of that you will need a short shaft outboard. All you need to do is measure how much to rise. gtag('js', new Date()); Of course, its always best to go with standard practices when choosing thebest boat engine. Actually there is no designated letter for short shaft. PDF Outboard shaft lengths and transoms - Boat Builder Central If youre going the other way around and trying to figure out how long the shaft on your outboard is, measuring it is equally easy. It is extremely important that the boater understands the significance of the transoms height. Engine Oil Mixing Ratio Fuel 50: Engine Oil 1. (In the case of the faster A transom saver, which can change the spacing between the lower unit and the trailer, negates some of the support. Set the end of the tape on the outside edge of the taffrail at the center and measure inward to the inside edge of the taffrail. It was a 23-foot Crestliner Grand Cayman pontoon boat. This alone can outweigh the negatives when deciding to adjust the mount upwards. Mounting the outboard motor in accordance with the industry standards is important. What is a Transom Saver And Do I Need One? - Boat Safe This placement is not only recommended but it will give you the best performance compared to something that is too long or too short. Each one has a totally different effect on the boats performance. An inch or two probably wont make a big difference, but any more than that will lead to trouble. Whether you already own a boat or looking for your first watercraft we are here to service your needs. Follow Westshore Marine & Leisure on Twitter! Higher mounting decisions should be left to the professionals. Check out the Westshore Marine & Leisure google plus page! A: Any boat that has a 21 to 27 inch aft transom will need an extra long shaft outboard. jackplate to a point level with the top of the transom. Outboard shaft length plays a crucial role in the performance of your boat. Before we get started lets see what a boat transom is and what it does. There is a simple test to see if your outboard motor is set at the best height. You can find your Mercury outboard model code on an ID plate or sticker. 3 0 obj Boats that use longer outboard shafts include: If so, send me an Increased RPM and additional horsepower feed the need for speed. Outboard motors can be fitted to a variety of boats, so manufacturers have standardized their engines to go on virtually anything. % document.getElementById('cloakd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5').innerHTML = ''; Charles Plueddeman is Boats.com's outboard, trailer, and PWC expert. e-mail As mentioned above, the operation of the propeller relies on the transom height. s.setAttribute("type", "text/javascript"); MPW eBay Store - Thousands of New OEM Old Stock Parts! boats.com, 1221 Brickell Avenue, 23rd Floor, Miami, FL 33131, USA. }) } }); })(document); xmlHttp.send('{"store_id":"369079","timezone_offset":"-5","timestamp":"2023-03-04T05:39:31.71020200Z","visit_id":"e2642be3-34e5-4a48-b89d-639d139834e0","channel_id":1}'); Its where the outboard motor is attached, and its also where some boat owners put the boats name. Boat Transom Heights The Beginners Guide, Buying a boat can be an exciting purchase. 12 Small Fishing Boat Accessories to Buy Today. Industry standards dictate that for short shaft engines the transom height should be 15. The height is approximately six inches higher than with a propeller. The greater the number, the more the drive may sway (also called tuck under or negative trim). Make sure that you are measuring straight up, at a 90 degree angle to As mentioned above, the operation of the propeller relies on the transom height. 7. How high exactly do you have to raise the transom?- - Outboard Jets Picking the right shaft length for your outboard is an essential step in getting the best performance from your boat. But, how do you measure it? storeDisplayName: "Marine Parts Warehouse", Industry transom height standards have been evolved during the last 30 years: 15 for short shaft engines, 20 for long shaft engines, and 25 for extra-long shaft engines.

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