Raising the transom height?

[PeteS]

I have a Jon boat I use for duck hunting with a long shaft 15 horse. Was wondering if anyone knows of a simple way to raise the transom to get the motor up to normal operating height. It should be raised up about 6 to 8 inches.

Thanks for any suggestions,

Pete

[Valv]

Short shaft is 15", long shaft is 20", you should raise your transom just 5"

[Surface Tension]

Thats really going to depend on how your transom is built.

You should be making up the difference of a long shaft which is 5". You shouldn't add 5" either, you should be replacing the entire section of wood with a laminated beam. Before we go any farther, if your transom has the drop then it might be doable, if its straight across then I wouldn't attempt raising the transom and would use the proper length shafted outboard. You'll have to replace the aluminum cap over the old transom with a straight cap and that cap will need to be tied into the corners. You might also have to fabricate a new(longer)transom brace. A couple pictures of your transom would help here.

[DTro]

I believe you can get a "mini" jack plate to raise it. The plate will mount to your existing transom and then the motor will mount to the plate. Do a google search on mini jack plate.

They are around $100

[Phred52]

PeteS, Would there be a chance that your long shaft is actually a short with an extention on it??? Maybe you could take the extention housing and the shaft extender out and make your motor a shortie.

[PeteS]

Thanks for all the great help. The transom goes straight across and the motor is a true long shaft... no extension.

I'm looking into the jack plate idea. I just hope it will lift the motor high enough. The transom height on this boat is low. I think a short shaft motor would be too long.

Thanks,

Pete

[DTro]

lol, you might need a butt seat to steer the tiller

I'm not sure how safe it would be to use a long shaft in your situation.