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I have a 1976 13' Boston Whaler with a 20" transom. I have a Mercury 25hp 15" Short Shaft Motor.

I was nearly strapped to the whipping post the last time I brought this up so I am a little reluctant to ask again about cutting the transom 5" to make my motor work.

I see on ebay that there are two Whalers for sale, right now, that have a notch cut out of the transom to accomodate a short shaft motor. It looks like these boats are holding their own as far as resale and given that they are in decent condition.

Was this dip cut out at the factory or do you think it was someone who was trying to use what they hide, like myself, to make something work. I would love to know the answer to this question. I know the purest would say find a different motor, but I gots no money and do own a saw and know a little bit about fiberglass. My boat isn't in as good of shape as these listed on ebay. I have much more spider-cracking and fiberglass repair to do than these boats. What I am getting at is, I don't think my Whaler is worth a mint. Please feedback...

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I believe 1972 and earlier had the notch in the transom. They were built this way for the 15 inch shaft motors at that time.

After 1972, the transoms did not have the notch and used 20 inch shaft motors.

It's your boat and you can obviously do what you want, but I highly suggest NOT to cut the transom.
Instead, sell your engine and buy a good used 20 inch shaft motor or trade someone.
Or, sell the boat and buy an older model with the notch in the transom so you can use your motor.

Whaler enthusiasts, including myself, just cringe at the thought of someone cutting up their perfectly fine Whaler...

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Sell your whaler. Baylliners are on isle 5. You will be very happy with your new hull.

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dburton, that wasn't very friendly. He is in a bind and is looking for some help.

I have to agree with Joe, can you trade your motor? Maybe put up a swap ad on your local craigslist - you never know what can happen.

At the end of the day it is your boat. You certainly wouldn't be the first person to do it. My belief is it will affect the value but by how much we really wouldn't know until you actually had to sell it. As you said she isnt exactly mint.

Its completely your call though.

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I would also swap out motors. 15" shaft motors are a hot commodity for the older whalers so you might do well selling it.

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Just an added thought, there's more to cutting the transom than meets the eye. After that difficult task you have to deal with the steering issues. that can be quite a project in itself. Search the site for 13 steering and you will see what I mean.
Mike

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The real issue is not can you cut the transom, a sharpie and a saw can make that happen. What happens when the motor dies? Do you want to be with the rest of us trying to find short shaft outboards when not one of the outboard manufactures sees the market for them? Especially in the above 9.9HP range? Do you want to have to put on a bracket to use the new long shaft outboard you had to buy or at that point dump the hull and get a new boat because you can't find an engine that will fit. It's your boat, do what you want. If you want to cut the transom, get out your sharpie and a saw. If you don't, get a current compression test on the outboard, and put a For Sale/Swap add on WC.

If it were my boat, I would sell the Merc to a whaler owner who has an older 13 and purchase a nice used/new 25 - 40 HP long shaft outboard and go fishing.

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I just thought of another idea.

You can buy 5 inch shaft extensions. I see them on eBay from time to time used and fairly inexpensive. I would certainly consider buying the shaft extension kit.
My kicker motor has the extension kit so if anyone ever wanted to change the engine back to a 15 inch shaft it would be fairly simple.

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Joe, maybe not as simple as you think. You need a 5" extension for the mid section, a longshaft drive shaft and a longshaft shift rod. I don`t think there are any of these mid section extentions made for modern motors, post late seventies for OMC,maybe never made for Mercs.:(
rich

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I just spend good money raising my transom so I could accommodate 25in motors and counter-rotating props. I would sell/swap the motor you have and get one with a 20in shaft. You will have a more versatile boat and a safer one.

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Good grief.
My brother plopped down our original family tender in my yard today. A 1980 11ft Sport. Problem is the SOB kept the damn motor. An 11 ft sport is rated for 20hp but is well known to handle much more, even up to 40hp if you're feeling suicidal. It takes a 15 inch shaft.

So nwolfe7, where is Ocean Springs? Any chance it's close to Toronto?

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do not cut the transom i just finished putting one back in. just don't do it .
pura vida
kurt

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I was in the same dilema, so I built an aluminum pod for a 25 yamaha short shaft, bolted it on to the transom and it goes like a cut cat. Its being powder coated this week. I had to add a foot and a half to the tiller but otherwise its all good. I could do pictures if anyone is interested. Bob

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I thank you guys for all the replies...I know now that if I cut it, I won't tell you.

Anyway...send the pics of your project to nwolfe77@yahoo.com

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Good idea, cutting down a transom is a capital offence in Whalerdom:@

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Alright, all you Whaler fans....I decided to take your advice and not cut the transom of my 13 footer. I am putting your advice to the test. Now my boat is for sale on ebay and needs to sell for at least the minimum bid. Tell your friends and neighbors. I am more infatuated with my motor than I am with this boat so the boat has to go to make room for one that will accompany my motor. However, if it doesn't sell, the old whale is getting sheared because she is all I've got.

Thanks for all the help. I understand the enthusiasm for these great boats and mean no harm in this post. You guys are right, I don't need to cut on it if I don't have to and I don't have to at this point. I'll give it a couple of shots at selling on ebay or craigslist. Hopefully, someone who can really use and appreciate the boat will buy it.

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Can you give us the item number, someone here might just be interested.

rich

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How much did you spend on the Engagement ring for your motor?

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Crabby Bob, Would like to see some pics of your aluminum pod. I also built my own jack plate, if I interpret you right. My 13 footer won`t go like a "cut cat" (I like that term, but my cat Binkie doesn`t), but I have other boats that do.:D

rich