Outboard shaft length

[Octaman]

I have followed discussions on whether one should buy a Honda, or a Suzuki or a Yamaha, or whatever, . . .. then I have heard debates on what horsepower to install if you go above the recomended factory maximum of 50 hp, but . . . . . there has not been any discussion, to my knowledge, of 'SHAFT LENGTH'.

Small boats in big waves usually suffer a sever problem of the prop breaking the surface of the water, resulting in poor control. I understand that the regular shaft length for a 50 hp outboard is 20 inches.

Is this shaft length sufficient in waves?
Has anyone out there experimented with an 'extra long' shaft length.
Can anyone tell us anything about this sensitive issue?

I shall look forward to your responses. Thanks.

[Frank C]

My Suzuki DF60 is their standard shaft @ 20" but Suzuki lists this as their "long shaft." Most installers recommend setting the cavitation plate even with the bottom of the hull. In my case, the motor needs an inch or more of elevation (above the transom) to accomplish this positioning.

I've never had any problem witth the prop breaking the surface, even in turns, unless also heavy chop. Just by deduction, I'd guess that the Mac transom will work with most 50hp standard shafts, described by Suzuki's website as their "long shaft" (20 inches).

[Octaman]

Thanks Frank, for your input.
Incidentally, since you have a 60 on your Mac. Does the extra weight of the outboard affect your sailing performance?
Also, have you logged speeds under power that justify an engine in excess of the max 50 hp the yard suggests?
Do you power aroung more than sail around?

[Frank C]

Mine weighs 335# and the larger Suzuki (90-115-140 hp) weighs over 400#(Mark & Billy). IMO, the late model 26X is capable of mounting heavier-than-50hp outboards with undiminished sail performance, perhaps due to factory change to the ballast tanks. Of course, you're on your own as to hull warranty, since the factory disavows anything larger than a 50 horse.

Mine floats true to the bootstripe with 3 aboard (~ my max crew). In a stiff 20kn breeze, I've seen GPS reading on SFBay @ 7+ to 8 knots.

I mainly enjoy sailing. I got the larger engine so I would be able to cruise at a moderate (~12+ knots) speed without listening to a motor-in-pain. WOT is about 18+ knots @ 5200 rpms - very rare. I achieve my target cruise at a nicely quiet, economical 3800 rpms. That's in calm, protected channel or lake waters. I would rarely hold more than 9 or 10 knots on the Bay due to pounding across chop.

[Frank C]

OOPS!!!
Octaman, I just noticed you hail from Greece, and you have a 26M in your profile. I was referring to the 26X.

I think the 26M is nearly the same transom arrangement, and should use the same drive units, but I'm not certain of that.

Suzuki Marine website

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

I thought that for a while, dealers themselves were fitting 26M's with 70HP motors. If I repower my 26X, I will get bigger than 50HP. Not sure if I would go all the way to 140HP although that Suzuki 140 sure has a nice power to weight ratio. Definitely a good idea to keep weight down on these boats as well as keeping access to your open transom with as thin a motor as possible. As Frank says though, you would probably void your warranty on a new boat...although how many people actually make warranty claims in the first two years? My guess would be not too many.

[Tony D-26X_SusieQ]

I thought that for a while, dealers themselves were fitting 26M's with 70HP motors. If I repower my 26X, I will get bigger than 50HP. Not sure if I would go all the way to 140HP although that Suzuki 140 sure has a nice power to weight ratio. Definitely a good idea to keep weight down on these boats as well as keeping access to your open transom with as thin a motor as possible. As Frank says though, you would probably void your warranty on a new boat...although how many people actually make warranty claims in the first two years? My guess would be not too many.

That could be because not too many go over the 50 HP power limit. If the all came with 140HP's it might be a different story.

[Tom Spohn]

BWY still offers the 70 horse Suzuki on the new M in their Super Cruising Package. Claim no problem with the warranty as long as they install it.

[Octaman]

Thanks guys for your input.
Has anyone out there tried an outboard with a shaft length in excess of 20'?
It would be interesting to know how the boat handled in waves, be it an M or an X.
I would love to know how it may have affected speed too.

Anyone out there?

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Seems like a lot of people add a shim (spacer) to raise the motor a bit, I've never heard of anyone extending the shaft. I think the motor on a Mac sits lower than most sailboat kickers. If you intentionally put the motor lower with a longer shaft, you may make the boat slower in its high speed mode. Of course, if you are just buying it as a sailboat and want to only put a small motor on it anyway, then perhaps that is not as important as keeping the prop down in big waves. Of course, big motors are nice for bad weather too. Probably with 40 or greater, you will never have a problem out-motoring any weather, but I have heard people complain who have 25 or smaller HP.