Is this a short shaft or long shaft Engine?

[mgdad]

Can anyone tell just by the picture.

 

[Chris1956]

Hard to tell from picture. With the motor in operating position, measure from top of antiventilation plate to top of transom. 15" is Short Shaft. 20" is Longshaft.

 

[mgdad]

Thanks Chris... Motor is at my cottage... have to go and measure I guess.

 

[Chinewalker]

It is a short shaft - 15". The long shafts have a lot more space between the clamp bracket "horse shoe" and the upper AV plate.

 

[mr 88]

I thought there was/is 15"-20" and 25" lengths and the 15s haven;t been produced since the mid to late 70's? The transom looks like 20'' as there is no indentation in it. Yes its best to measure it.

 

[racerone]

??????---------15" motors have not been made since mid to late 70's ???-----Where does that knowledge come from ?

 

[MTboatguy]

??????---------15" motors have not been made since mid to late 70's ???-----Where does that knowledge come from ?

Ya, I would like to know the same thing, where did this information come from? I have a newer Mariner than a 70's that is a short shaft, so are you talking all engines, or just specific brands, my Tohatsu made in 2001 is also a 15" engine, so I am going to have to say ?????

Might want to look up the Mercury 2.5M, 3.5M, 4M, 5M, 6M, 8M, 8EH, 9.9M, 9.9EH, 15M, 20M. These are all 15" short shaft motors.

That said, measure between the cavitation plate and the power head, if it is less than 20 inches it is a short shaft.

 

[mr 88]

Thats why I put a question mark next to it. I know that the 15's were discontinued around then for the L-6 Mercury Towers.I wasn't sure, so don't get your britches in a knot... Are there 3 lengths still being made for all outboards and if so why did the OP ask short or long?

 

[MTboatguy]

Thats why I put a question mark next to it. I know that the 15's were discontinued around then for the L-6 Mercury Towers.I wasn't sure, so don't get your britches in a knot... Are there 3 lengths still being made for all outboards and if so why did the OP ask short or long?

No britches in a knot at all, I was just surprised to see it posted, there are still a lot of boat motors made in the short shaft configuration.

 

[roscoe]

Still lots of boats and motors being made with 15" shafts. Not all hp motors are available in every shaft length.

Currently outboards are available in 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 shaft lengths. Maybe more.

 

[Fun Times]

No britches in a knot at all, I was just surprised to see it posted.

:roll eyes:

Again, please bear in mind that he asked it in a form of a question and not as an informational post. Thanks.

 

[MTboatguy]

Again, please bear in mind that he asked it in a form of a question and not as an informational post. Thanks.

Okay, I will Fun Times....

Statement, or question, I was still surprised to see it posted..

 

[Chinewalker]

For most smaller outboards, say 15hp & under, 15 inch transom is generally the standard, with 20" being the long shaft version. As you move up the hp chain you get more of a 50-50 mix of 15 & 20 inch shafts up to about 35hp, and by about 40hp the "standard" is 20-inch with 15-inch being in the minority. This is by no means a hard and fast rule, but is a general guideline. Some brands offer sail models on their portable outboards with extra long shafts, and some brands offer extension kits to add length to some small to mid-range models.

Back to the OP's motor, it is a later 1980s/early 1990s model, likely one of the 8-15hp style, and it is a short shaft model.