Can I cut my transome to suit a short shaft outboard?

[squidwood]

Hi all,

I have an assortment of engines at my disposal from a 4hp to a 15hp but they are all short shafts.

I do have a 4hp long shaft that came with my new boat but the engine packed up last time I used it so my confidence in the engine has now gone.

I have had the short shafts for a while now and I have serviced them all so I know they are in good working order.

The boat is a small 14ft GRP boat with an open cuddy and I was wondering if I can cut my transom down to suit a short shaft outboard?

Many thanks
Dave

 

[oops!]

Re: Can I cut my transome to suit a short shaft outboard?

you should be able to...take pics and post them
but what about a jack plate?

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Can I cut my transome to suit a short shaft outboard?

I agree with the jack plate idea. while you probably could cut the transom, you may open a can of worms in the process. plus, a jack plate would let you get just the right height for your variety of motors. remember, you can't uncut the transom, so once you start there's no going back.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Can I cut my transome to suit a short shaft outboard?

My vote is for the jack plate

 

[squidwood]

Re: Can I cut my transome to suit a short shaft outboard?

Thanks for your comments,

I tried the boat out the other weekend with the long shaft engine and four adults, i had marked the transom where i would need to cut to fit the short shaft and the water was very close to that mark!!

I had to try it before i started to hack away at the transom!! as stated I am unable to ''uncut''

So whats a ''Jack plate'' is it an outboard bracket? like the ones seen on yachts? where you can raise and lower the auxiliary engine?

regards
Dave

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Can I cut my transome to suit a short shaft outboard?

You got it. Real easy to make

http://www.dillon-racing.com/jackplate/index.htm

 

[squidwood]

Re: Can I cut my transome to suit a short shaft outboard?

thanks.

I think ill make one then and avoid cutting my transom.

Regards
Dave

 

[havingfun2]

Re: Can I cut my transome to suit a short shaft outboard?

how big is this boat?
you are posting hp motors of max 15 hp?
IMO holly smokes dude.. used 15 hp can be bought for less than 1k. new under 3.
you might be able to purchase and extention for one of your existing motors.
pics are worth a thousand words..but until then I do not understand a jackplate for a 15hp nor cutting a transom for less than 1k.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Can I cut my transome to suit a short shaft outboard?

You put 4 adults in a 15' boat?!

 

[bLaZe0023]

Re: Can I cut my transome to suit a short shaft outboard?

How about selling those "disposable" short shafts and getting another long shaft...

 

[squidwood]

Re: Can I cut my transome to suit a short shaft outboard?

Hi thanks for all your replies.

Boat is a 14 foot GRP type with open cuddy.
I have a mariner 4hp, a suzuki 4hp, selva 10hp & yamaha 15hp.

It would be easier and cheaper for me to build a bracket for a short shaft motor because I have access to a laser cutter and fabricating equipment, also a fibre glass work shop should I have chosen to cut the transom down.

I can remove the bracket and fit a long shaft motor (should I need too), but once I modify one of my short shaft motors I can only use that motor, as I also have a 3meter rib which I use for fun and fishing and this requires a short shaft so want to keep them as they are.

Yes four adults must have been about 50 stone in that boat!! I think I will keep it to three maximum from now on though as there wasn't a great deal of space left!!

will get some pictures up soon, and will add some of my bracket!!

regards
Dave

 

[squidwood]

Re: Can I cut my transome to suit a short shaft outboard?

How about selling those "disposable" short shafts and getting another long shaft...

Hi, I had thought of that!! but I do use the engines on another boat, the max horse for my rib is 10hp which i use for fun on the river, then i use my suzuki 4 to go fishing as its very reliable.

I want to fit the yamaha 15hp (as it came with a steering sytem and throttle/gear controls) and use my suzuki as a back up engine, so I will end up selling the mariner.

regards
Dave

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Can I cut my transome to suit a short shaft outboard?

More jackplate ideas http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=321432