Motor Shaft length

[damielke]

Researching a new Mercury 9.9 hp outboard motor for my Newport Vessels 11, 9" Baja dinghy. What length shaft do you recommend for using on fresh water lakes? The transom height is 16 to 17 inches.
Thanks

 

[Sea Rider]

Short shaft transoms are usually around 15-16 inches. 17-18 transoms are other story. 15-16 inch transoms are for short shaft engines, if with 17-18 will have performance issues. Better give a precise measurement from top transom to lower keel.

Happy Boating

 

[fbpooler]

If you are measuring the actual transom itself, the actual transom height will be less. Run a straight edge along the bottom and then measure from the top of the transom to the straight edge at the closest point.

You are measuring the hypotenuse of a triangle when you actually want to know the long leg of the triangle which is the effective transom height.

 

[Guest]

Just seen the vessel your talking about on there site. They have all the specs but the transom height. Call them and save yourself the measuring headache. Their number is on the top right corner of there site

 

[Sea Rider]

There's a huge height visual difference between a short and long shaft transoms. Long ones has higher middle transom section than short ones. Shorts could have middle transom cutout or be straight even.

Happy Boating