I might be looking for an outboard in the soming days. But ven now as I look around there seems to be an ovewhelming majority of small outboards with the short shaft as compared to a long. Is it possible to mount a short shaft on a 20" transom? The obvious concerns would be the ability of fresh water to cool the thing.
What had me thinking it might be possible was watching a Roland Martin fishing show in the keys for redfish he has this neat jack plate that elevates his outboard so the prop is just under the surface allowing him to run in shallow water. It got me to thinking that if a huge 250HP motor could be jacked up like that and run a flats boat, I might be ok with a short shaft if the water intakes were low enough on the motor. An added bebefit might be a shallower draft of the skeg and prop, mine have always hung way below the boats floor.
Or.... am I just plain crazy for thinking about it?
What had me thinking it might be possible was watching a Roland Martin fishing show in the keys for redfish he has this neat jack plate that elevates his outboard so the prop is just under the surface allowing him to run in shallow water. It got me to thinking that if a huge 250HP motor could be jacked up like that and run a flats boat, I might be ok with a short shaft if the water intakes were low enough on the motor. An added bebefit might be a shallower draft of the skeg and prop, mine have always hung way below the boats floor.
Or.... am I just plain crazy for thinking about it?