short or long shaft

[riverman50]

i have a 9.9 johnson shortshaft motor on a 14' semi vee. i have a chance to get a 14' grizzly wide bottom jon boat the stern is high on the grizzly and i wonder if i can put the short shaft on it. i have asked 2 boat mechanics and i get 2 different answers
the intakes will not be below the bottom of the boat, where i think they should be.

 

[JB]

Re: short or long shaft

It is the anti-ventilation plate (usually incorrectly called the cavitation plate) that you need to watch, riverman. It needs to be even to 1" above the bottom of the boat. Measure vertically from the top of the transom to even with the bottom. If it is over about 15" you would need to modify the mounting to use your 9.5 on it.

On the other hand, you might want a bit more HP for the grizzly. I would be thinking about an 18 or a 20.

 

[Solittle]

Re: short or long shaft

Generally you can put a long shaft engine on a transom designed for short shaft engines but not the reverse. You not only need to make sure that the inlet for the water pump is covered but also you have clear water in front of the prop under the hull.