Alternate Power ~ the Kicker

[Soundgrrl]

Does anyone know how I figure out whether or not a 20 inch shaft outboard motor is long enough? I'm worried I should have purchased a 25 inch instead. I have a CaL 25 with an adjustable transom mount. I thought a standard long shaft would be sufficient, but someone told me the standard kicker for a sailboat is 25 inches. Does anyone know how I figure this out?
Thanks...

[Ex-Calif]

Hi soundgrrl - I am sure a Cal owner will be along soon. I can't give a definitive answer but to me it is largely dependent on your freeboard at teh transom.

i.e. - If you have to lower the engine on the transom too far to get the leg in the water it makes it difficult to operate the controls. OTOH having the leg too low makes it difficult to raise the prop out of the water when sailing.

I personally would take measurements of the engine head, where I want the engine head to ride under way and then figure out how long the leg needs to be.

BTW - what is the outboard model?

[osirissail]

Assuming an outboard motor bracket on the stern that raises and lowers then you would measure the distance from motor mount top to surface of the water when the motor mount bracket is in the lowered position. This should equal or be less than, the motor measurement from top. inside of the motor mount bracket to the cavitation plate above the propeller. With a small sailboat you need to consider the heeling of the boat when underway so that the propeller does not lift out of the water as the boat rolls.
- - I would suppose that the "long shaft" motors are going to be a better choice in a sailboat stern mount system.