Will a 20" Shaft work on 21' Apache w/ Set back?

[J bonz]

I mistakenly posted this in the Tech section, I currently might have a deal on a 250 HO E-tec at a good price and I am trying to figure out if the 20" shaft will work with my future set up... I am not a newbie to boats but dont have this knowledege. I just dont want to be sinking the outboard upon getting on plane. All Help will be apprieciated.
Thanks,

Hey All,
I found a deal on a replacement Outboard for my 21' Apache but it is a 20" shaft. It currently had a 25" Merc that was transom mounted. But, I will be adding a Jack plate along with some sort of an extension box. I havent sourced the box yet but soon will. With at least 12" of setback, will a 20" shaft work? I havnt done any measuring yet. I thought I would post here to see what the concensus was... As for the boat, the last pic shows how the transom is know. I am in the process of putting new stringers and bulkheads in...... :)
Thanks Alot!!
Jr.

[blkmtrfan]

I would think a 25" shaft would be way to much for a 21 Apache, do you have any pics of the current setup?

Most of the guys here with 21' challenger spin-offs run 20" shafts some even run 15", the only sport boat in that size range that is setup for a 25" is the 22 progression,
unless you boat is a center console or something :confused:

[J bonz]

I would think a 25" shaft would be way to much for a 21 Apache, do you have any pics of the current setup?

Most of the guys here with 21' challenger spin-offs run 20" shafts some even run 15", the only sport boat in that size range that is setup for a 25" is the 22 progression,
unless you boat is a center console or something :confused:


Thanks a bunch for the reply. I knew someone would have some input... I always assumed they were the same hull just tweaked.. Like I said previously, I will be closing up the motor well and adding some type of extension box. I already have a Stainless Marine jack plate for it.. Here's the best pics I have of it before the de-rig and glass work...

[blkmtrfan]

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=194582&d=1267156054

Your motor is really deep for this kind of hull.

It sure looks to me like it can some up a LONG way, and a setback helps with that, I would sure think a 20" would work fine, just watch your water presssure. (if it was mine I would put the 20" on there for sure)

My is setup with the propshaft even with the pad with a 12" setback, granted I do have a low water pickup LU.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/blkmtrfan/250xs/007.jpg

[J bonz]

Yeah, I agree.. I just needed some input before I forked out the cash... :) You have to be flyin with your set up..
Jr.

[gm250]

how does that boat run with that set up what speed (22 activator)

[blkmtrfan]

Best I have seen so far is 75, but I don't have it dialed in yet. I just got that motor on and rigged the end of last summer (I think I have all of 4 hours on it now, all put on in September). It needs less setback, the 12" was perfect with my 2.5 merc, but the 3.0 is quite a bit heaver and it is way too flighty now, and I need some more prop pitch, I am still running my 23 trophy, I did pick up a 25 Tempest but haven't tried it yet, I think I will propbably need a 25 or 26 trophy for best all around.

I hope to get me time to get it all sorted out this spring, but we bought a new house, so......

[modvp]

Is that an Opti 225 or 250 hp?


Best I have seen so far is 75, but I don't have it dialed in yet. I just got that motor on and rigged the end of last summer (I think I have all of 4 hours on it now, all put on in September). It needs less setback, the 12" was perfect with my 2.5 merc, but the 3.0 is quite a bit heaver and it is way too flighty now, and I need some more prop pitch, I am still running my 23 trophy, I did pick up a 25 Tempest but haven't tried it yet, I think I will propbably need a 25 or 26 trophy for best all around.

I hope to get me time to get it all sorted out this spring, but we bought a new house, so......

[blkmtrfan]

Is that an Opti 225 or 250 hp?

250xs

[JnT]

I run a 25 inch on my Apache with a lot of set back, Boat handles great but is no where near where I want it to be speed wise, Definitely go with a 20 inch motor.

[modvp]

I had a hard time locating a used 250 efi with a 20 shaft. So I compromised and bought one with a 25 inch shaft and mounted it at the last mounting hole. Each hole corresponds to 0.75 inches in height so I am 3.75 high...or 1.25 inches lower compared to the mounting location of a 20inch shaft. I have a 7 inch Stainless Marine jack plate to make up the difference.