Posted by Chris and Mark on 05/05/09 - 9:11 PM
#1
Hello,
I have a 1986 13' Whaler Supersport. It is powered with the original 40hp Mercury with a Longshaft (20" ). I believe this is appropriate, because my transom does not have the cut out notch referred to in many posts on this site. I also understand that it is important to use only longshaft motors on longshaft boats, unless I wanted to get involved in a large notching project, something I have no desire to do.
However, my question is this; must I also be limited to using a longshaft kicker? Although most 13s probably don't have kickers, I would like to bring one along for longer trips. I can't afford a repower right now, but I want to have a reliable boat.I have noticed that there is a small indent in my port transom suitable for mounting a kicker. However, I have had a difficult time finding a small kicker with a longshaft. Could I use a short shaft? What are your thoughts?
I am looking at motors in the 4 to 6hp range, and there are very few with longshafts. I could find a longshaft 9.9, but might that be overkill on a 13 foot boat? I know that is what most folks use on their montauks. I checked the hp suggestion article, but there was nothing for kickers on 13s.
Any suggestions are appreciated. Am I out of line with the whole idea of putting a kicker on my boat? Can I use a short shaft on my long shaft boat?
Cheers,
Mark Kelsey:)
Posted by Joe Kriz on 05/05/09 - 11:09 PM
#2
I think you can get any brand of kicker in a 20 inch shaft length which is what you want.
Have you seen this article?
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...ticle_id=7
You want the lightest kicker you can get for that 13'...
Maybe even an older 2 stroke as my 1988 Evinrude 8 hp weighs in at 58 pounds.
Posted by Chris and Mark on 05/06/09 - 9:09 AM
#3
Hello Joe,
So you don't think I could get away with a short shaft? I understand that longshafts exist for all brands, I have just had a lot of difficulty locating any in my area, whereas the short shafts seem plentiful.
Thanks, Mark
Posted by Joe Kriz on 05/06/09 - 12:08 PM
#4
It might be possible.
My prior Montauk.
Long shaft main motor and long shaft kicker.
However, the kicker sat up higher on the transom due to the notch for the main engine.
My Outrage 18'.
Xtra Long shaft main motor and long shaft kicker.
The 2 engines sit at the same height on the transom.
You may be able to get by with a 15 inch shaft for the kicker as the transom is basically the same height across the top like the my Outrage and some other models.