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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Outboard Shaft Length

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cch
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202 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/27/2005 : 01:27:00

I posted a question a week or so ago but realize I was not very clear with the question I was asking.

How many of you have a 20" shaft on your outboard? How many with a 25" shaft? I thought I was ordering a new 25" shaft but a 20" shaft is what came in to the dealer. The question is not whether or not the the dealer will help resolve the issue, but rather what are the pros and cons of a 20" or 25" shaft.

With my adjustable motor mount I can make either work. The only advantage I can see to the 20" is that I can get it up out of the water without tilting the motor (does not seem to be much of an advantage) Also Tohatsu is backordered on the 9.8 25" shaft.

I think I like the idea of the 25" shaft to keep the motor up above the water more while motoring, as well as making it easier to reach the controls.

If I decide on the 25" shaft, what make/model do you all prefer? Yamaha? Honda? Mercury? (may be too long a wait for the backordered Tohatsu)

Thanks for your thoughts.

Chris Hunsicker
Panama City FL
Moonglade
80 C25 #2126 sr/now wk

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2005 : 04:54:08

Chris, there are many, many threads on this issue, if you will do a search on "outboard," "shaft length," or the like. Although some of us, myself included, have motors with 20" shafts, I think the consensus is that if you sail in water that has any significant wave action, the XL shaft is preferable. Nissan/Tohatsu and Yamaha have many fans, and the Honda is alternately loved and hated for some maintenance issues.

Brooke

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2005 : 08:24:45

Wait for the 25" shaft. Two reasons: 1. That's what you ordered, and the dealer has a duty to deliver that, and not substitute something else at his convienience. Say you ordered a new 3/4 ton pickup with a diesel engine, because you wanted the best tow vehicle for your boat, and the dealer tried to downgrade you to a 1/2 ton pickup with a 6-cylinder gas engine? You wouldn't put up with that, right? You shouldn't accept second-best from this outboard motor dealer.
2. The 20" shaft motors are barely adequate for protected inland lakes that never see choppy conditions (except from powerboat wakes). If you get into rough water sometime out in the ocean, or on the Great Lakes, you will really need that 25" shaft.

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2005 : 09:25:39

Chris,

I have both a long shaft Honda 10HP, and an extra long shaft Yamaha 10HP which I have used on my swing keel C-25. What the others have said is true. The 20" shaft is barely long enough in flat water. The critical issue is the ability to get the prop as deep as possible, and keep it submerged when the boat pitches. Even in dead calm water, if I walk forward the Honda prop sucks air, the Yamaha doesn't.

As to which motor is best, I've owned several Honda BF100L (I think I got that right) series engines, and one Yamaha 10HP 4-stroke high trust w/electric start. If (perish the thought) I were to have to choose which of those to buy new, it would be the Yamaha by a wide margin. The newer Hondas aren't the same motor I have, so I can't say what they're like.

-- Leon Sisson

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2005 : 10:21:09

Chris, the XL (25") shaft is a must even in the rivers and lakes, unless they are like glass all the time which negates the reason for having a sailboat. Were there is wind there is chop.
I choose the Nissan/Tohatsu simply for the weight issue. The C250 WK sits stern low so I did not want anymore weight in the rear than necessary. The Tohatsu XL grosses out at 90lbs., much lighter, from 10-30lbs, than the others. There are many threads that discuss the weight issue and if I remember correctly, the Honda was the heaviest at 120lbs.

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matsche
Captain

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USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2005 : 13:41:57

Chris:

Be aware that the Tohatsu/Nissan shafts lengths are measured differently, in that their long shaft is actually 23" not 20". Their long shaft is plenty for any lake conditions and probably OK for most salt water. Obviously, longer is better for rougher areas.

If you've already decided on the 9.8hp, then extra-long would be the way to go. It doesn't weigh that much more than the long shaft model. And besides, that's what you ordered and that's what you should get!

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frogger
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USA
184 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2005 : 21:17:10

Chris,

I have the 9.8 Nissan XL and love it on my 2000 WK. Stick with the extra-long shaft and you won't regret it.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2005 : 22:17:08

Panama City? Gulf of Mexico? Yup, what they said. BTW, the last time I looked, Mercury (which is also a rebranded Tohatsu) didn't offer the XL model.

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cch
Navigator

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202 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2005 : 19:56:17

Thanks for all the input. I believe I have located a Nissan 25" shaft which will help us enjoy our fantastic spring sailing here.

I might have settled for the 20" shaft so thanks again for the experiences and support. Once we actually have the Nissan I will post my thoughts.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.