short or long shaft?

[lee_1999]

Hello,
I have a 1964 S&S Rainbow 24' sloop. It's my understanding that it normally needs an outboard
with a long shaft. But, this particular craft has been modified with an inboard well for the motor.
Does that change anything? It seems like a short shaft would now work. But, I'm not really sure.
Does anyone know how to determine this?
Thanks.

[WWheeler]

Lee: The fact that it has an inboard well is neither here nor there. What matters is the distance from the motor mounts to the waterline. However, perhaps the well was designed for a short shaft. The only way to be sure is to measure the distance from the waterline to the top of the mount. Compare that against the specs. of the motor that you're looking at.

Also, there's variable height mounts that allow the motor to be swung up/down according to the shaft length.

[ 04-07-2003, 10:28 AM: Message edited by: WWheeler ]

[R.I.Singer30]

I had a Bristol ' 24 with a built in o.b. well.Well I tried to use a Merc 9.8 short . It would propel the boat around.But once I hit choppy waters the drive assembly would come out of the water ,in turn the cooling water inlet would come out too and the engine would over heat.
So I bought a long shaft and had no real trouble until I was caught in Block Island Sound with 6 ft. seas .Then I wished I had an inboard, because every time the boat pitched forward the same thing would happen and we would lose any headway we made.Not A good trip.
So If the short is all you have and the waterline is above the cavitation plateand inlet ( check specs.)hole I'd use it in a pinch just to get around.Other than that go for the long shaft ,"she said" .

[lee_1999]

Thanks gentlemen. Actually I'm shopping around on Ebay, so I haven't committed to anything yet. It just seemed like the mounting position in the well was lower than the usual mounting position on the transom. But, I may be completely off. But, from what you both are telling me, it seems like the long shaft will be the safer bet.
Thanks again.