Long shaft motor required?

[81venture]

I just bought a 1981 Venture23

It has an evinrude 15 longshaft on it

I have a brand new Tohatsu 10hp with reverse, but it is a short shaft motor

Would I be able to use it? Or do I have to have a long shaft motor?

i was told the evinrude runs, but needs lower unit seals replaced (I can do this) but would rather have the brand new tohatsu on it, and sell the evinrude to put that $$ toward the actual boat (things it will need)

I'm new to sailboats 100% so I don't even know where she sits in the water yet

thanks

dave

[andiamo_25]

The motor manufacturer will specify in the manual what the acceptable height range is from the waterline to the top of the transom (in the case of a sailboat, to the top of the motor mount bolted to the transom)

The problem with a short shaft motor is that you would have to have your mount set really low, and then you'll be leaning over your transom trying to reach the controls while at the same time trying to see over the cabin, steering with the tiller while docking!

[Tomfoolery]

And the motor head going under in a following sea, with the boat rolling heavily. Or if mounted higher, so that doesn't happen, the prop spending a lot of time out of the water.

For a sailboat, with typical displacement hull, you're not going to go very fast anyway, so having a long shaft, or extra-long shaft mounted with the prop deeper than 'normal', would be to your benefit. You can always bring the mount up a notch in flat water motoring, with the ability to drop it extra deep when pitching and rolling.

[Sumner]

..For a sailboat, with typical displacement hull, you're not going to go very fast anyway, so having a long shaft, or extra-long shaft mounted with the prop deeper than 'normal', would be to your benefit. You can always bring the mount up a notch in flat water motoring, with the ability to drop it extra deep when pitching and rolling.

I agree that you are going to have to mount it lower on the transom, probably at least the 5 inches that the long shaft is over a short shaft.

One good thing though is that it is fairly easy to add extensions...







http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UYc2ZHe ... re=channel

to the controls on a Tohatsu 9.8 HP if that is the motor you have. More down towards the bottom of this index page here...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... index.html

Sum

===================================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[81venture]

WOW! I recognize that lady...That's Ruth Yes?

I read your blog, showed my wife...it's kinda what pushed us over the edge to go ahead and buy this thing

Wow!

[81venture]

I forgot to add that this boat has the "quick connects" and linkage that hooks the motor up to the tiller, so both steer with the handle...

I assume this is a good score

I am more worried about where the motor sits on the waterline to avoid it sucking air

Dave

very nice to meet you "in person"

[81venture]

The motor manufacturer will specify in the manual what the acceptable height range is from the waterline to the top of the transom (in the case of a sailboat, to the top of the motor mount bolted to the transom)

What Manual? LOL

[Catigale]

Dave ..if you are lake sailing in NC then the following sea problem doesn't really exist....it's possible, but if you are a reasonable human being you are off the water before conditions like that hit.

Hold off on this until you get the boat in and see where the shorter shaft motor ends up. Send pix

[81venture]

Dave ..if you are lake sailing in NC then the following sea problem doesn't really exist....it's possible, but if you are a reasonable human being you are off the water before conditions like that hit.

Hold off on this until you get the boat in and see where the shorter shaft motor ends up. Send pix

Glad too

Our first plan is to remove the mast altogether and take it to falls lake, and use the motor and see exactly how she sits, how she floats, how she handles
Before we worry about sails...

Most definietly will post pics....

right now she is in the front yard with the mast up and its much taller than I expected it to be....kinda foreboding

Dave

[Catigale]

And just for laughs you might want to check Bay MFG in Ohio for a short to long shaft conversion kit....

[Steve K]

Many outboards can be converted to long shaft.
It is basically a section of extension housing and a longer main shaft. Fairly easy job.
The only caution would be to be very careful when inserting the new main shaft up into the engine. You don't want to nick the oil seals up there.

I (and this is just my opinion) would sell both outboards and buy a long shaft in the range of 6 and 8 hp though (and I would lean toward the lighter 6hp). The boat will do between 6 and 8 knots with the lighter outboard and sail better without the extra weight, hanging off the transom. It, likely, won't go any faster with the extra horse power engines (maybe a half knot). You'll also use a lot less fuel, particularly with the 6hp. If you sail somewhere with strong currents, you may want to go as high as 8hp.
I think the 15hp outboard is a waste on a sailboat of this size.

Let me also qualify above advice with this;
Check specs on your 10 hp. It could be the same weight as the 8hp long shaft. In this case a new shaft and housing would be the cost effective way to go.

I bought a Catalina 22 once, with a 25hp Merc. I promptly got myself a 7.5 Suzuki long shaft. The boat went the same top speed and used a third the fuel. Sailed better with less transom drag too.

Best Breezes,
Steve K.
Mac 26D "Three Sheets"

[Hamin' X]

You might want to wait for Henry to check in, or drop him and email, or PM him. Henry is our resident v-23 expert:

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/m ... le&u=11118

~Rich

[Sumner]

Many outboards can be converted to long shaft.
It is basically a section of extension housing and a longer main shaft. Fairly easy job.............Check specs on your 10 hp. It could be the same weight as the 8hp long shaft. In this case a new shaft and housing would be the cost effective way to go........Steve K. Mac 26D "Three Sheets"

That is a good idea and I'd price that out before looking for possibly a different mount. Our long shaft 3 1/2 HP and our extra long shaft 9.8 HP Tohatsu have the extensions you mention and the 8 and 9.8 HP are basically the same weight. The 4-6 HP would work fine if both of you are able to pull start the outboard. For safety sake we now have elect. start so that Ruth can start the outboard regardless of the situation.

You will like being able to work the tiller and outboard as one in some situations ,

Sum

===================================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[Catigale]

Sum... Without getting too personal is there a big diff in crew experience between pull starting the 3.5 and the 9.9?

As I Age I will probably repower with a 9.9 and I will have to make an electric start decision at some point

I don't worry about the kids anymore since they now carry 80 pounds of concrete mix easily

[Sumner]

Sum... Without getting too personal is there a big diff in crew experience between pull starting the 3.5 and the 9.9?

As I Age I will probably repower with a 9.9 and I will have to make an electric start decision at some point

I don't worry about the kids anymore since they now carry 80 pounds of concrete mix easily

I don't know as I haven't tried pull starting the 9.8 Tohatsu we bought since the elect. start has always started it right up. The 3.5 Tohatsu is easier to start needing less pull than the 8 HP Honda that we did have. How much easier, that is a good question. I never had them at the same time.

I did just go out and do a pull test on our 5 HP Nissan and the 3.5 Tohatsu and the 3.5 was easier, but the 5 has been sitting there longer? Also I couldn't pull them normal....



...due to where they are stored (top of pic above), so had to reach over and pull them from back side. I could pull the 3.5 with just my left hand (I'm right handed), but had to reach over and pull the 5 with both hands. It wasn't twice as hard though. I didn't try the 9.8.

Ruth has a bad shoulder and I'm not sure she would want to start the 3.5, but I think she could in an emergancy. The Honda was too much for her when she tried it when I got hurt and she was trying hard, especially when she realized we were some place where we had no contact with the rest of the world (a new experience for her ).

I'd bet that I could get the 9.8 started for some time to come and I'm getting mighty close to 70. I'll try it the next time we finally get back out with the Mac or in a barrel before we go out.

Hope that helps a little,

Sum

===================================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links