will a 24" Shaft work for Drift Boat?????

[wcgeonick]

Hey,

This is my first post on this site, however, I lurk here regularly and usually get the answers I need before needing to post.

I am trying to buy a outboard for my 16' aluminum drift boat. I know it needs a long shaft and that is what was on there before. There is a Honda i am looking at, real nice, but the guy says it has a 24" shaft.

I know the transom on a drift boat is only 18 - 20 inches but they sit so different then other boats.

Anybody out there know if this motor would be a bad idea or maybe a good one??

any help is appreciated, thanks in advance!

Newbie Nick

 

[woodendrifter]

Re: will a 24" Shaft work for Drift Boat?????

Nick,

The 24" shaft should work just fine. It may not seem like it when you have it on the trailer but as soon as you sit back and motor it'll be fine.

I just put a motor on my 15' wooden drift boat, we operating the bow go up and the stern down. Running slow is the key with these boats. I understand that you will never plane out on a drift boat.

Where do you live/ fish? Good luck

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: will a 24" Shaft work for Drift Boat?????

I take it, there was a 20" long shaft on it before. Worst case, you mount the engine a little higher than you normally would.

 

[wcgeonick]

Re: will a 24" Shaft work for Drift Boat?????

Thanks for the replies. The guy never called me back so I moved on. But... got a killer deal on a barley used merc 9.9 LS 4 stroke.

Now.... I troll to fast but it is such an awesome motor. I am trying to figure out if I can get a smaller prop or do I have to use a trolling plate. I will never need all of the horse power so a smaller prop would be better in my mind.

I am in Oregon. Been sturgeon fishing lately got a 53" last week!

Thanks!

Nick