Posted by BillClemens (i) on April 28, 2005 at 12:43:34

In Reply to: Re: longshaft/shortshaft (newbie) posted by Thom V on March 26, 2005 at 10:01:46:

Your long/short question: Ideally, the cavitation plate on the lower unit should be just below (an inch or so) the lowest point on the transome of a planing hull. Lower than this increases the drag and reduces efficiency of the outboard. The long shaft engines were intended for sail boat auxillary use. Sailing in a following sea, the engine is easilly pulled clear of the water by the bow-down surge so the extra length helped to prevent damage to the engine and to keep the prop in the water.

Bill Clemens

•   (Open in New Window)

Edits: 04/28/05