Step 2: Three Variables to Consider Place the rulers end on the ground behind the club and let the club to rest on top of it. The clamp bracket on the latest Mercury Four-Stoke-model outboards has five mounting bolt holes spaced .75 inches apart. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. How to Buy a Boat: Tips for a First Time Buyer, Top 10 New Fishing Boats for Under $20,000, What Type is Right for You? A yardstick will help you determine if your outboard engine is at the right height. Hold the tape on the top, center of the taffrail and measure straight down to the point, usually a sharp angle, where the transom joins the bottom of the boat. 1855 Alpine Avenue NWGrand Rapids, MI 49504This email address is being protected from spambots. The motor is what powers the boat so the two go hand-in-hand. If it measures between 17 and 22, youll want to go with a long shaft motor. So from there, I will try to help out by asking questions about your boat such as what type it is and the length. The distance between the ends of a transom is measured in inches. Boat Transom Heights The Beginners Guide, Buying a boat can be an exciting purchase. Before we get started lets see what a boat transom is and what it does. Workboats, sailboats, and displacement-hulled boats fall into this category. This is the dimension you'll need to know when deciding between a short shaft, long shaft or extra long shaft for your outboard motor. Measure from the top of the straight edge to the center of the front Cutting the transom down is the only legal method to utilize a short shaft engine on a tall transom. This email address is being protected from spambots. For most boaters this is a no brainer, but for the novice or inexperienced boater it may be a tougher question. Which Navigation Lights Does Your Boat Need? (127 mm). (Putting a Most transom savers can support up to a 150HP motor, which is sufficient for most regular boats. The transom angle is the vertical incline of the transom and is measured in degrees. Then test the boat and adjust the height, if necessary . The prop will be in cleaner, harder water as it advances farther aft, making it more efficient. A transom saver, which can change the spacing between the lower unit and the trailer, negates some of the support. The engine must be linked to the transom at the proper height for a propeller to best meet specific boating demands. Your email address will not be published. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; addyd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 = addyd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 + 'vanssports' + '.' + 'com'; minAmount: 300.0, A reversetransom that sits too high can impact the propellers of the motor and motor bracket. Transom Outboard Engine Position - YouTube 0:00 / 0:56 Transom Outboard Engine Position BOATING SCENE 763 subscribers 609 211K views 5 years ago www.boatingscene.com.au Sometimes when your. s = d.createElement("link"); Your goal is to measure how the outboard will sit, so start from the clamping plate and follow the centerline of the hull. On the downside, a higher mount can interfere with the boaters steering capabilities. Because of the increased friction, cavitation reduces efficiency. This will ensure the best performance. What is Transom Height? At least if its too long you can raise the motor or "build up" your transom. Each one has a totally different effect on the boats performance. Always weigh the risks of making adjustments. For over five years he has worked as a newspaper reporter and historic researcher. 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. On most newer center consoles and offshoreboat transoms might include a rear door leading to a swim platform as well as a molded setback bracket. Outboard Motor Shaft Length For Pontoon Boat - Survival Tech Shop mpeSelector: ".pt-mpe", Variables to consider when determining the mounting height include the size and style of the boat and the length of the outboard motor's shaft. This is measured by the propeller shaft being parallel to the vessels bottom. Doing so, will put the propeller right below the boat. var addy_textd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 = 'info' + '@' + 'vanssports' + '.' + 'com';document.getElementById('cloakd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5').innerHTML += ''+addy_textd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5+'<\/a>'; Now that you have a better understanding of boat transom heights its time to take out the ruler and get the perfect measurements. According to MarinePartsMan.com, the outboard can be raised 1 inch above the standard height for every 10 miles per hour of speed the boat can attain. How to Choose Between a Motor Tote and Transom Saver to Support an These allow the mounting of a standard length outboard behind the transom. You reply, "Im not sure, I think its a long". <> Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Upstream Securitys Disruptive Telematics Technology, The challenges of scaling a cloud-based security system, OneStreams unified platform streamlines financial data management, OneStreams impact on the financial software market. However, you will need an understanding of how the degrees will alter the boats usability. All you need to do is measure how much to rise. help with shaft length for a kicker - iboats Boating Forums So how to measure outboard shaft length? There is a simple test to see if your outboard motor is set at the best height. This is probably the worst case scenario out of the two. var ptScript = "https://cdn.paytomorrow.com/js/pt-mpe.min.js"; debugMode: false, Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Of course, its always best to go with standard practices when choosing thebest boat engine. The cavitation plate is the horizontal surface of the lower unit immediately above the propeller. Simply start with the engine in idle, followed by trimming the motor out by one-half to full trim. 1 0 obj I believe 20 to 21 inches is the optimum length for a lengthy shaft. With the long side (22 1/2), place a carpenters square ) in opposition to the keel. <>/Metadata 127 0 R/ViewerPreferences 128 0 R>> The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Depending on the manufacturer, size names might change. Some fishing boats can handle the motor being underwater. endobj My family and I used it to fish, ski (yes, you can ski behind a pontoon boat), and cruise the lakes near our home. of the "bullet" on your lower unit. ), Al Shields We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. If the height of the boat transom is off it can cause major issues. To sum up, there is a simple calculator of the shaft length for outboard motors: Outboard Shaft Length = Transom Height +/- Factors. 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. This is a measurement that has been used for BassCats, I'm The boat transom can be flat with zero degree angles. (function () { Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The brackets can add 1 inch to the overall mounting height of the outboard. Figuring out how to measure motor height on a One of the factors in determining the height of the outboard is the placement of the exhaust port on the lower unit of the outboard engine. Generally, short shaft outboards are 15 inches, long shaft outboards are 20 inches, and extra-long outboards are 25 inches. Small motors built for sailboats might come in a unique configuration with an extremely long shaft since these are mounted higher off the water. If you decide to make adjustments, please consult a marine engine dealer about the boat design. The transom is the boats flat vertical part at the back. It is where the outboard is mounted, and some boat owners place the name of the boat. Boost Speed with Outboard Engine Height Adjustments The current measurement is the ventilation plate is about 1 1/2" above the true keel line which is about 24" in front of the motor edge. I mean, who wants to purchase something as expensive as an outboard to only realize you bought the wrong one. The outboard comes with mounting holes and brackets. Thats it. Or it can have an angle degree as high as 30. The how to measure the shaft length of an outboard motor is a question that many people have asked. If it measures between 17 and 22, you'll want to go with a long shaft motor. Having the cavitation plate too low will cause excess drag and reduced performance at high speeds. The general guideline for longer shaft outboards is that the transom height should be at least 20 inches (50,8cm) above the waterline. Knowing how this can affect the overall operation of the boat is a factor to be considered. 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 moves an outboard up and down to optimize performance and enable a boat to venture into shallower water than it might otherwise. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The boat transom can be flat with zero degree angles. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Your goal is to measure how the outboard will sit, so start from the clamping plate and follow the centerline of the hull. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The transom is the "back wall" of your boat, the most rearward part of your hull. If you are running a slower boat, the exact location of the ventilation plate is less important. Place the point of a yardstick at the middle of the top of the boat transom. your motor will be higher.) Actual shaft length is 21.5" on those. Cavitation is when the propeller is out of the water due to the boat forming a wake of "air bubbles" or "vapor cavities" around the prop. It is where the outboard is mounted, and some boat owners place the name of the boat. The same is true for the newest, high-powered offshore fishing boats, where triple or quadruple motor setups are becoming more and more common. On this type of boat, if you are in doubt, default to the longer-shafted outboard. Triton. An inch or two probably wont make a big difference, but any more than that will lead to trouble. To do so, take a measurement from the very top to the very bottom of the transom in the precise center. However, you will need an understanding of how the degrees will alter the boats usability. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. It is possible that the motor could hang low while transporting on the boat trailer causing future boat repairs. This would not be a good thing. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Oftentimes you will want to adjust the outboard shaft length in order to improve the boat performance such as speed. Step 3: Add another 10 cm (4'') to the previous calculation for the final ideal shaft length. However, the motor should not be raised more than 5 inches above the standard position. If the propeller fails to ventilate, the motor is mounted to low. disregard the "hooks" at the front of the LOYALHEARTDY Outboard Motor 6 HP 2-Stroke Inflatable Fishing Boat The shaft length for outboard motors has nothing to do with the water line. What Types of Documents Can be Sent to your Kindle Library? The Best Way to Measure Prop to Pad | How to measure Outboard Motor Height One of the main concerns is causing the engine to overheat if not enough water reaches the engine to keep it cool. Gear Oil Quantity 195ml(6.6 Fl.oz.) }, 100); 2019s List of the Best Recreational Pontoon Boats for Sale. manufacturer will recommend the outboard height according to the bracket shape and length. This alone can outweigh the negatives when deciding to adjust the mount upwards. Determining Your Boat Transom Angle The transom angle - commonly measured in degrees - is the transom's vertical inclination. (In the case of the faster Doing this can have adverse effects. Measure from the top of the transom to the bottom of the hull. How to Measure Shaft Length on Outboard Motor? - TrollinMotorsGuide All rights reserved. The height of the boat transom dictates the size of the outboard motor. What the relationship to the pontoons is, I couldn't say. 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. Other boats that need short shafts are: A: If you have a small boat with a 18 to 21 inch aft transom, youll most likely need a long shaft outboard. Raising the motor increases the speed of the boat while decreasing the effort needed to turn the boat. Thats a fairly simple list of symptoms, but if your motor is too low, youll probably notice at least one of them. You can order an outboard in lengths ranging from 15 inches to 30 inches, depending on its power output and possible uses. See When St. Peters Basketball Games Are Today! The lowest point will likely be directly under your drain plug if youve got one. If you have a short shaft motor, the distance between the top of the transom and the bottom of the boat should be between 15 and 16 inches. As a yacht designer and boater, I prefer longer shafts. However, the motor should not be raised more than 5 inches above the standard position. Doing this can have adverse effects. Mounting the outboard motor in accordance with the industry standards is important. Assistant Measuring tape Grease pencil 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. 7. How high exactly do you have to raise the transom?- - Outboard Jets The Effects of Standard, Lower and Higher Mounting. 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. Place the bracket on the transom to the left of the main outboard or rudder. How To Mount An Outboard Motor Properly - Start to Finish! Keep these numbers in mind if you ever have a need for a new outboard motor for your boat. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. #2. trimming the motor out by one-half to full trim. Yamaha Outboard Motors: How To Measure Leg Length How Transom Height Is Measured The performance of these boats depends on quite a lot of factors, but getting the outboard length just right is an essential first step. Here we will guide you in how to get the right boat transom height. In extremes, the engine can have overheating problems if the boat is raised to a point where the water inlets for the cooling system are out of the water. The first order of business is to measure your boat for the ideal fit. This exhaust port should be about 1 inch above the water line when the boat is idling. Remanufactured 4 Cylinder 4-Stroke Cylinder Heads, Remanufactured 6 Cylinder 4-Stroke Cylinder Heads, Trim Relays, Trim Solenoids & Sending Units, Remanufactured V6 & V8 4-Stroke Cylinder Heads, Volvo Cobra SX Bearings and Bearing Carriers, Volvo Cobra SX Driveshaft, U-Joints & Parts, Volvo Cobra SX Transom Assembly & Bellows. to where the brackets were actually resting on the transom. Add yours in the comment and Ill get back to you asap. Be sure to measure carefully and research thoroughly before diving in. AztH ^zv_ cT,E1K/rAB54| If you have a small boat with a 15 to 17 inch aft transom, youll most likely need a short shaft outboard. The height of the boat transom dictates the size of the outboard motor. You can use a longer shaft than recommended and your boat will work fine. For slower boats, its less critical to. Lubrication System Engine Oil Mixed Gasoline. Gear case sits just below or at the hull depth due to the deep v. This could also effect your travelling capabilities on the boat trailer. To achieve this, the motor itself has to be attached at the correct height. Tilt your motor until the bullet of the gearcase is This is the dimension you'll need when selecting a width for your outboard motor's mounting bracket. of the motor off the transom What types of boat need an extra long shaft? This measurement would be the inches of If the height of the boat transom is off it can cause major issues. 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". up to the bottom of the motor brackets, (as in #1). clearInterval(interval); Offshore vessels are often equipped with a large mounting bracket so that the transom can be left at full height. Having the cavitation plate a bit lower than the transom is preferable to having it too high. Each one has a totally different effect on the boats performance. A: Any boat that has a 21 to 27 inch aft transom will need an extra long shaft outboard.