long or short shaft kicker on V hull?

[simplystressed]

I currently have a longshaft kicker that sits on the side of my boat. My main motor is a long shaft.

The way the "V" is on my boat, where the kicker sits is only about 16 to 17'' from top of transom to the bottom of boat.

I'm wondering, would I be experiencing significant performance loss with my longshaft kicker? Which is about 22'' in length?

I don't expect to win any races, but don't want to be burning up excess gas and running the motor hard if a shorter shaft will work better

Or is it alright as the very bottom of the boat is around 20 in the middle.

 

[JimS123]

Re: long or short shaft kicker on V hull?

Whatever shaft length you run, you won't get stellar performance. But you WILL get better performance with a short shaft. Before you switch, though, replace your prop with the lowest pitch availabe....like a sailboat prop. Try that and maybe it will satisfy you enough to not have to switch. Little motors come with a prop designed for a little boat. When you convert them to a kicker the stock prop is not usually the right one.

 

[simplystressed]

Re: long or short shaft kicker on V hull?

Whatever shaft length you run, you won't get stellar performance. But you WILL get better performance with a short shaft. Before you switch, though, replace your prop with the lowest pitch availabe....like a sailboat prop. Try that and maybe it will satisfy you enough to not have to switch. Little motors come with a prop designed for a little boat. When you convert them to a kicker the stock prop is not usually the right one.

Hi Jim,

I could go to a 6 pitch from the stock 8 and see what happens. But I think I'd be more likely to hit rocks/etc with the long. Another point is I'm pretty sure I'll skim water with it until the boat planes with the main.

Either way I'll see if I can track down a prop, as they will work with either

 

[JimS123]

Re: long or short shaft kicker on V hull?

When running the main, you have to tilt the kicker up so its out of the water.

You didn't say what the motor was, so I can't comment on pitch. Just look up the motor on the Michigan Wheel web site and review the alternatives. It may not specifically say "sailboat", but it will indicate heavy boat or something like that.

My 9.9 came with a 9 1/2 x 10, and I run a 10 x 5 and it works fantastic.

 

[simplystressed]

Re: long or short shaft kicker on V hull?

When running the main, you have to tilt the kicker up so its out of the water.

You didn't say what the motor was, so I can't comment on pitch. Just look up the motor on the Michigan Wheel web site and review the alternatives. It may not specifically say "sailboat", but it will indicate heavy boat or something like that.

My 9.9 came with a 9 1/2 x 10, and I run a 10 x 5 and it works fantastic.

Hi Jim.

Its a 6hp merc. Pretty sure stock prop is a 8 pitch. Going to try a 6 pitch. There is also a 6 pitch sail prop, but that probably isn't quite designed for my boat as its only around 1500lbs.

Here's a chart: http://www.tohatsu-nissan-parts.com/Propeller & Prop Hardware Chart.htm