Transom height
 

Will a 40 merc short shaft run on a 20" transom with Jack plate? Considering a new hull in the near future but the 1652 has a 20" transom. Thanks for the help.

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check the motor specs, its either a 16" short shaft or a 20" long shaft for smaller motors or for motors the next size up they use 20" as short shaft and 25" as long shaft.

seeing as you are talking about a 40hp mid-sized motor, it should be the short shaft is 20" but google the motor year specs to confirm its shaft length.

Yea. Looks like mine is 16". But I did find a 1652 alweld with 16" transom.

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There are 3 shaft lengths for outboards:
Short=15"
Long=20"
Salt water series=25"

It is possible to install a 15 shaft motor on a 20" transom using a jackplate, BUT, every time the motor kicks up the front steering bracket will hit the transom. Why not just get a good welding shop, like Southside to cut the transom down to 16" , that way no broken parts when the motor kicks up.
D

not sure the age of things but since you are looking at upgrading the boat why not sell yours as is and start over with a complete new package bat/motor/trailer.

I say this because I have learned as you upgrade everything that goes with it, while it still works well, tends to be less then desired and you end up upgrading it all anyway one piece at a time at then what to do with what you pull off.

something to think about

Motor is 2004 but with a year old 60hp build on it. Love the motor. Trailer is a home built aluminum trailer with year old galvanized axle.

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The best 2 stroke 40 ever built, that old merc 59 cubic incher. Of course it is the most cubic inches in a 40 ever built also. The last ones produced were 2005, so a 2004 ain't too bad. You'll get another 15-20 years out of it unless you roast it on a tunnel boat:D
D

I don't run it hard at all. 3/4 throttle for a trip and will open it up for a 50-100yd blow out now and again. Most of the time I save the WOT to mess with people that think they're gonna blow by me. The look on their face is priceless.

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True sleepers, especially with the stock stickers still on.