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1976 13' Whaler
nwolfe77	#1  Posted on 04/12/08 - 8:56 AM
Member Posts: 11 Comments: 0 Joined: 03/13/08	I have a 1976 13' Whaler with a 20" transom and a 1999 Mercury 25hp 15" Outboard. Is there anyway at all to make these two work together? I was thinking of installing a jackplate 5" lower or cutting the transom.... What do you think?
Binkie	#2  Posted on 04/12/08 - 9:29 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 2012 Comments: 0 Joined: 12/19/05	No, whatever you do, don`t cut the transom. Install a jackplate at the proper height for the short shaft motor. Cutting the transom will seriously devaluate your boat, while raising the transom on a boat made for short shaft motors will increase its value. The reason being is short shaft motors are becoming increasingly hard to find. You might even trade your motor with someone with a long shaft motor who has the opposite problem you do. Rich
moose	#3  Posted on 04/12/08 - 10:24 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 543 Comments: 1 Joined: 03/07/07	I'm curious about the ability to tilt the motor with a jack plate installed lower on the transom. Any experience on this out there? Mike
nwolfe77	#4  Posted on 04/12/08 - 10:41 AM
Member Posts: 11 Comments: 0 Joined: 03/13/08	My thought is that the jack plate would have to sit back far enough to adjust the tilt position. I don't plan on having auto tnt as I am a proponent of keeping things inexpensive and simple. I need more feedback...thanks whalercentral for this opportunity to solicit opinions....
alohajim	#5  Posted on 04/12/08 - 8:03 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 36 Comments: 0 Joined: 02/08/08	You may also be able to extend the outboard to 20" by getting a replacement shift shaft, cooling tube, and extension housing. I did this on a Johnson and it ran around $200 in parts. Not sure about the Mercury. Other option is to use another motor or use a jack plate. The jack plates can get very simple and work. Shop online. Aloha, jim
dburton	#6  Posted on 04/12/08 - 9:09 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 77 Comments: 0 Joined: 10/13/05	Unless you boat on a small farm pond, you will eventually ask your boat to get you home in weather or seas that you you shouldn't be in. Treat your boat with respect. If you can't repower with a 20" shaft then sell the boat. That hull can be around for another 30 years if treated with respect.