dinghy motor

[sharkbait]

Has anybody ever used a longshaft o/b on an inflatable? Some guy offered me
one and I don't know if it will work.

[byrondv]

No reason it shouldn't work. Used the 10hp from my sailboat to play around on a very cheap old Achilles inflatable this past summer.

You should be aware that with the longer shaft there is more leverage so there is more twisting force than with a short shaft.

[Valiente]

I used a longshaft 9.9 four-stroke Honda BF100 on my Zodiac C310 for a number of years...it's a beefy engine. Even with a Doel fin, it took longer to get on the plane than an equivalent short-shaft Mercury 9.9 HP two-stroke, but this could be a function of 30 lbs. more weight plus the lever action.

Once on the plane, however, I drove the Zodiac two knots faster with the Honda. I also noticed that the longer shaft, perhaps by virtue of acting a bit like a powered rudder, gave me a bit more maneuverability, tighter turns, etc.

Naturally, of course, a longer shaft increases draft. Some interesting little lagoons chipped the paint off the long-shaft's prop until I used a bit of tape to use an oar as a depth sounder...

So there are minor differences. Short shaft is a little lighter...which may or may not be an issue. Long shafts will sell better second-hand to small sailboat guys...the short shafts clear the water too easily!

[Stillraining]

just the plane long shaft and not the sail shaft the diffrance is only 5 to 6 " I have a extension section sitting here beside me which goes to a Evinrude 25 horse it is 5.5 " long...should not be a big deal...But it is a big deal to go the other direction if you need a long shaft because you will cavitate with a short shaft...But this would be only a problum on a larger skiff not an inflatable ...I only mented it as helpful knolage to have...

[sharkbait]

Thanks for the info guys.I guess I'll go pick it up.