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Outboard Motor

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Jwendehorst
Deckhand

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USA
13 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/15/2005 : 11:59:42

When I took ownership of my 1982 Catalina 25 it did not have an outboard motor. I have an opportunity to purchase a used one at a great price, but it's a short shaft. I noticed the manual said Long Shaft was preferable. Does anyone have experience with a short shaft outboard and know if the 15 inch shaft is long enough to use. The boat is on a lake so wave wise there shouldn't be an issue with breakers. Thanks!

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matsche
Captain

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USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2005 : 13:14:25

John:

You have to have at least a long shaft, 20", even on flat water. I use a Nissan/Tohatsu long, which is 23" and it works great for lake sailing. Use the search function in the upper right hand corner to search previous messages on this very topic. You'll find a lot of information.

Welcome to the association!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2005 : 16:18:01

Hi John... You can tell the minimum shaft length by measuring from the top of your lowered bracket to your waterline--the anticavitation plate of the engine needs to be a few inches under. The shaft length measurement is from the inside top of the clamp to the anticavitation plate. Keep in mind that when a C-25 pitches, it's about a 13' lever raising and lowering the engine. On the other hand, the boat "squats" a little under power. I found that if I went onto the foredeck with the 22" Honda (Long) idling, it would start to suck air in the cooling system--NOT COOL. Also, boat wakes would cause cavitation, and Long Island Sound seas would do worse. That was in part a function of the bracket the P.O. put on. I replaced both the bracket and the engine. "Long" is minimal; extra-long is better.

Edited by - on

JoergK
Navigator

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USA
140 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2005 : 16:54:47

If the price is really good, and the motor relatively new, it may be advisable to find out if the motor can be modified for a longer shaft. I had that done with my 9.9 4-stroke Mariner.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2005 : 23:37:01

Short is a mistake.

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2005 : 13:37:15

Short bad. Long good. Keep looking. Quick solutions usually give more pain and anguish in the long run.Ron srsk Orion SW FL

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ksaubier
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2005 : 08:14:23

I'm a new boat owner and still learning some things the hard way, so this is by no means an expert opinion... but here's my story and I hope it helps you in some way. When I bought my boat, the outboard was old, hard to start, unreliable and underpowered in my opinion. A 6hp Johnson sailmaster. I read the posts and manuals on adjusting it's fuel mix, and I tried to make it work but had finally had enough of it. It would quit running while I was trying to dock, and barely had the power to move the boat against the wind and currents, and it was upsetting because I just wanted to sail... not fight with a dang outboard. In my mind the outboard on a sailboat is sort of a necessary evil, only there for docking and special circumstances, but even as an "accessory" on the boat I realized it is an important thing for me to enjoy my boat. I searched around a lot for a replacement. I bought an old used Johnson 9.9 outboard sight unseen that was supposed to be a 20" shaft, (because it was a good price and I thought I could make a 20" work). When I got the motor, I saw that the previous owner was measuring wrong because it was a short shaft 15", and now I was stuck with it. After going through some research and things to try and convert it over to long shaft, I realized it was going to be a pain and not cheap, and after spending the money and time to get it done I'd still have an old used outboard that was a pain to pull start. I gave up and decided that shortshaft would either get sold or be used on my duck boat.

Back to searching... It was hard (very hard) for me to find a used 25" long shaft, and the more I searched the more frustrated I got. A lot of time was going by and I wanted to use the boat. Finally I gave up and bought a new 9.8 4-strk Nissan (Tohatsu) extra long shaft w/ electric start, etc. After getting the new motor I realize that the electric start is totally unnecessary for me as this motor starts with only a few pulls, and it's a breeze to pull it versus the old Johnson outboards that I have. It was expensive, but it was worth it to me. I kick myself for not doing it sooner.

Not sure this post helps you much, but my opinion is... get the extra long shaft (it's great how much better it stays in the water when dealing with wakes from large boats going by), get a new 3 or 4 spring mount (it's easy to install and sooooo much easier to raise and lower the motor)... and if you can buy a new Nissan/Tohatsu it's so much nicer to forget about working on the motor and get back to sailing.

-Ken

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2005 : 08:26:42

"Short bad. Long good."

I'd modify that advice a bit.

Short Bad (15"). Long Marginal (20"). XL Good (23-25").

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2005 : 12:05:28

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Short Bad (15"). Long Marginal (20"). XL Good (23-25").<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">I whole heartedly agree. I have both a long shaft Honda and an extra long shaft Yamaha I use on my C-25. The Honda prop is just barely deep enough in flat water. The Yamaha prop is deep enough for all but the most short and steep waves.

-- Leon Sisson

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miketen
Deckhand

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10 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2005 : 12:12:46

There is no way a short shaft will work unless your only sailing on glassy waters; however glassy waters are missing one this for sailing, wind. You must have at least a long shaft. I sail a lot in Lake Michigan and there are times when I'm in large waves that I wished I had an extra long shaft.

I have a Yamaha 9.9 and I love it so when looking I would also recommend a 9.9. Nissan from what I've been told make great motors and there price is reasonable. Theres also E bay. Good luck.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2005 : 12:23:27

Speaking of short, steep waves... On my "delivery" cruise to Mystic last weekend, under power with no wind, we saw a tug with no tow approaching, and from a distance I could see that his wake was very steep and curling. We dogged down the forward hatch and watched the wake approach--at least 4-5 footers looking absolutely vertical and curling. The first wave threw the bow up about 6', and then let it do a free-fall with a giant BANG, burying us in the second, which came over the foredeck and cabintop. The XL Honda never lost its grip, although it took a moment for it to get the boat going again. The cockpit stayed dry (barely) and the C-25 shrugged and continued on her way. As we said, longest is best.

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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.