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 greater the number, the more the drive may sway (also called tuck under or negative trim). and I'll explain it better, (or point you to someone that can help. To break it down a bit more for you: Short shafts are 15-inches long. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Having the cavitation plate too low will cause excess drag and reduced performance at high speeds. var h = d.getElementsByTagName("head"), 1 0 obj But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Pretty easy to figure out but like I said its crucial to pairing a motor with a boat. Now that you have a better understanding of boat transom heights its time to take out the ruler and get the perfect measurements. There endobj This is somewhat similar to #2, in that you are again measuring with a Outboard shaft length plays a crucial role in the performance of your boat. Chances are the boat was designed with a specific size of outboard in mind. 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. #2. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Boaters who consider going with a higher mount can see increased speeds. In the photo above, we've measured from the motor bracket to the top of 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. It is extremely important that the boater understands the significance of the transoms height. One of the main concerns is causing the engine to overheat if not enough water reaches the engine to keep it cool. 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. Make sure that you are measuring straight up, at a 90 degree angle to Engine Oil Mixing Ratio Fuel 50: Engine Oil 1. You Then finally test your outboard, if the mount is perfect. Offshore vessels are often equipped with a large mounting bracket so that the transom can be left at full height. With more than a decade of experience cruising the lakes in my Crestliner Grand Cayman pontoon boat and my Boston Whaler, I now want to share everything I've learned with my community here at Boating Hub. The transom is the rear wall of the boat where the outboard engine is mounted in the middle. Check out the full chart of the Mercury outboard model code and its features. Cavitation plates are used on the bottom components of boats to help them operate better. displayPrimeOffers: true, There are instances where a lower mount may be okay. Boat transomangles play a pivotal role in the flexibility of the boats trimming abilities. Determining Your Boat Transom Angle The transom angle - commonly measured in degrees - is the transom's vertical inclination. A2: Instead of changing to the short outboard shaft, you can try the Jack Plate first. A retired ship captain, Charpentier holds a doctorate in applied ocean science and engineering. If it measures 15" or with in a inch of that you will need a short shaft outboard. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. You can order an outboard in lengths ranging from 15 inches to 30 inches, depending on its power output and possible uses. 2019s List of the Best Recreational Pontoon Boats for Sale. But in many cases, its a little more complicated than that alone. Always weigh the risks of making adjustments. The same is true for the newest, high-powered offshore fishing boats, where triple or quadruple motor setups are becoming more and more common. This email address is being protected from spambots. It is unsafe to have the engine block too close to the water on a low transom. If you go too short your more than likely going to cavitate and loose power. manufacturer will recommend the outboard height according to the bracket shape and length. The shaft length for outboard motors has nothing to do with the water line. As summer approaches there will be more boaters taking to the water. How can you figure out what your transom angle is? Some boats are equipped with transom-hung outboards while others have a bracket. The transom is the flat vertical section at the rear of the boat. If it measures anywhere from 17" to around 22", then your going to want to go with a long shaft motor. The mounting height of an outboard motor can impact the speed and handling characteristics of the boat. Here are several situations on how you should adjust the outboard shaft length: Mounting the outboard a little bit higher than the standard point could reduce drag, improve RPM at full throttle, and therefore improve speed and make it easier for the boat to get on plane. var ptScript = "https://cdn.paytomorrow.com/js/pt-mpe.min.js"; On this type of boat, if you are in doubt, default to the longer-shafted outboard. So you should just measure the height of the boat's transom from the center down to the lowest point of the hull, and compare transom height with the outboard shaft length numbers. You reply, "Im not sure, I think its a long". As you can see, the measurement is about 2 1/2". Then, you can pick the right engine. Use the mounting bracket on the motor to know where it will sit on the boat. Simply start with the engine in idle, followed by, If you decide to make some custom adjustments we have the. Brackets are also handy for boats that do not have flat transoms, like canoe-stern sailboats or fan-tailed motor vessels. Its still smart to measure it yourself though, just in case, the design changed over the years. Why wont Touch ID be under the screen in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16? The center is the point where your outboard motor is (ideally) located. It moves an outboard up and down to optimize performance and enable a boat to venture into shallower water than it might otherwise. Place the point of a yardstick at the middle of the top of the boat transom. bassboat can be a bit confusing at times; hopefully this will help sort Over time, Boating Hub has grown into a resource for boating enthusiasts around world. h[0].appendChild(s); Here we look at the effects of standard, lower and higher mounting. It is possible that the motor could hang low while transporting on the boat trailer causing future boat repairs. Which Navigation Lights Does Your Boat Need? However, the motor should not be raised more than 5 inches above the standard position. Knowing how this can affect the overall operation of the boat is a factor to be considered. The transom angle is the vertical incline of the transom and is measured in degrees. 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. This measurement was approximately 4". boats.com, 1221 Brickell Avenue, 23rd Floor, Miami, FL 33131, USA. What are Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and Channels? Most of the time, adding a hydrofoil to an outboard improves performance. primeApr: 12.99, With the outboard shaft length too long, meaning the prop is too deep in the water, the engine wont be as efficient, and the fuel burn is high. Later in the article is an image that shows you exactly where to measure. The pressure behind your hand dropped as you slid your hand back and forth through the water. Always weigh the risks of making adjustments. Look at the part of your motor that would be 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? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. To do so, take a measurement from the very top to the very bottom of the transom in the precise center. If you decide to make some custom adjustments we have theexperience and know-howto make it happen. A reverse transom that sits too high can impact the propellers of the motor and motor bracket. Problems with getting the ventilation plate too low include slower hole-shot and lower top-end speeds. This illustration depicts four different outboard mounting height options (courtesy Mercury Marine). Measure from the top of the straight edge to the center of the front 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. When the boat transom is too low, the motor could end up underwater. Also, the boat will be more likely to hit bottom or submerge objects such as rocks or logs. Add yours in the comment and Ill get back to you asap. They keep water out of your prop and increase water pressure in the system. Beyond motorboats designed for large outboards, you will see outboards hanging on the sterns of everything from small canoes to large cruising sailboats. loadScript(ptScript); Expectedly, when the transom angle is zero, it means it is flat. 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. You run the risk of possibly unsafe handling if you attempt to put a long shaft engine on a transom designed for a short shaft engine. The Effects of Standard, Lower and Higher Mounting. Industry standards dictate that for short shaft engines the transom height should be 15. What matters is the actual measurement in the specifications, not the name. Follow Westshore Marine & Leisure on Twitter! Copyright 2017 Dealer Spike All Rights Reserved. You can use a longer shaft than recommended and your boat will work fine. Height Measurement: Recommended Shaft Length: 14" - 17.25" 15" Shaft (Short) 17.25" - 19.5" Varies by application 19.5" - 22.5" Other boats that need extra long shafts are: Read my other articles on outboard motors. The transom in a boat today is a place to hang your outboard motor. Place the clubs bottom on the ground as though it were going to be used to strike a golf ball. Long shafts are 20-inches long. since 1986. (function () { Triton. former editor at Boating Magazine and contributor to many national publications Learn More About Your Boats Systems By Joining The Born Again Boating Academy! All boats are different, and the motor manufacturers produce a variety of standard lengths. Knowing the width, height and depth of your transom allows you to make several important decisions when selecting or purchasing a new outboard. Actually there is no designated letter for short shaft. Step 2: Three Variables to Consider A long shaft engine requires a height of 20 and extra-long shaft engines will need a transom height of 25. Why Rebounding Is A Key Skill for Fouth Players To Learn, Tips For Attacking a Zone Defense as a Youth Basketball Team, Why This is a Big Deal for the Sports Betting Industry. These allow the mounting of a standard length outboard behind the transom. And the rule of thumb is that you should keep the cavitation plate level with the bottom or keel of the boat. 1855 Alpine Avenue NWGrand Rapids, MI 49504This email address is being protected from spambots. There is a simple test to see if your outboard motor is set at the best height. Boat hulls are designed in three basic types that range from slow displacement and semi-displacement hulls to the fastest planing hulls. Ill also explain the difference between short and long shafts and how they vary by type of boat. var addy_textd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5 = 'info' + '@' + 'vanssports' + '.' + 'com';document.getElementById('cloakd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5').innerHTML += ''+addy_textd53b59933f6c3f2e8b59f1b4a6d41fa5+'<\/a>'; The clamp bracket is designed so that the engine's mounting height on the transom can be adjusted higher than standard. }, 100); The performance of these boats depends on quite a lot of factors, but getting the outboard length just right is an essential first step. This also means it can affect the safety of the boat. It also cuts into speed and fuel efficiency. A hydrofoil will typically level off the ride by driving the stern up and the bow down, and will stop or considerably minimize porposing on a 16 footer with a mid-sized outboard and no tabs, for example. hulls, such as Allisons, Bullets, Strokers, etc., this measurement could With it comes a lot of responsibility and new things to learn including boat maintenance and boat basics. Charles Plueddeman is Boats.com's outboard, trailer, and PWC expert. Two years ago, I bought a Boston Whaler to fish off the coast. The clamp bracket on the latest Mercury Four-Stoke-model outboards has five mounting bolt holes spaced .75 inches apart. relation to pad if (PayTomorrow) { disregard the "hooks" at the front of the mpeInit(); The form of a boats transom varies depending on the manufacturer and model. The most common percent angle is probably 12, however spec sheets for O/B and I/O boats may show 10 percent, 12 percent, and 14 degrees. Move the bracket as close to the center of the transom as possible while still maintaining clearance to allow the main outboard or rudder to reach its full range of motion without contacting the kicker motor. What is Transom Height? With a jack plate, you can mount it exactly where you want it. What's the best height for my boat motor? Each one has a totally different effect on the boats performance.
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