[Rhodes22-list] Outboard Engine Long or Extra Long Shaft

[Bob-Leslie Fletcher]

Ceasar,

I have a 20 " shaft 2007 Tohatsu 9.8 on a 2007 boat with the standard 
bracket.  I'm no expert, but the shaft length seems right.  The prop clears 
the water even on hard tack when the motor is raised, but I haven't had any 
problem with the prop coming out of the water under power even in larger 
swells.

Getting the motor to lock in the raised position can be a little touchy. 
The bracket has to be at just the right height for the motor to clear the 
transom but not hit the rail as it tilts forward over the transom.

If you aren't planning on remote controls, you might want to look at the 
Mercury "lightweight" line of motors.  I think the "guts" of their 9.8 hp 
motor are the same as (made by?) Tohatsu, but the controls are integrated 
into the motor "tiller" which looks more convenient than the Tohatsu.  They 
may cost a little more than the Tohatsu.

I went with remote controls that work ok but I still have a few 
reservations.  With the remote control, you lose the motor "tiller" handle, 
and there are times I would like to steer with the motor rather than the 
rudder.  For this season I will try to cobble together some sort of a 
folding motor tiller that I could use like the "original" tiller arm of a 
motor without remote controls.

Bob Fletcher


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Caesar Paul" <caesarpaul01 at yahoo.com>
To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 2:36 PM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Outboard Engine Long or Extra Long Shaft


> Hi Guys,
> I am about to purchase a 8 or 9.9 hp, Long Shaft Tohatsu Outboard Engine 
> (20" shaft). Will the extralong (25'' shaft) be a better buy?
> Thought I should check with the list before taking the plunge.
> Thanks
> Caesar
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