MichiganFishing1997 Posted July 25, 2013 Posted July 25, 2013 I have two motors for my new boat, but only need one, so I need to sell the other. But, I don't know which wone to keep. I have an '83 Mercury 25HP long shaft. This motor is very clean, pull start, idols nice, and I feel like it may be more reliable. The only con to this motor is that I will have to buy or make a jack plate. The other motor is a '77 Mercury 25HP short shaft. This motor is a lot dirtier, a little more beat up, but has electric start. It needs the carbs cleaned out a little bit, but runs well. The two good things about this motor is the electric start and that I won't need a jack plate. Neither of them will be able to ve tested on the boat first. Any opinions would be great, I need to get one listed and sold. Thanks in advance. Christian Quote
Team_Dougherty Posted July 25, 2013 Posted July 25, 2013 I ran a long shaft motor on a short shaft boat for years with out issue. Can you swap the lower units between motors? Quote
MichiganFishing1997 Posted July 25, 2013 Author Posted July 25, 2013 I could but it would be kind of a pain, plus the short shaft unit is a little rough. Oh and thanks for the reply. Quote
Crappiebasser Posted July 25, 2013 Posted July 25, 2013 I would run it long shaft too unless you run in really shallow water. I have a long shaft on a jon boat and never had an issue. I would try to adapt the electric start to the 77. Quote
MichiganFishing1997 Posted July 25, 2013 Author Posted July 25, 2013 I could change over the electric start if I wanted too. But Iddon't really want the extra battery. Quote
Downeaster2010 Posted July 27, 2013 Posted July 27, 2013 I had a long shaft motor and a short shaft boat years ago. All short shaft transom's were considered unsafe and that is why boat manufacturers made 20 inch transoms, and got away from 15 inch versions. I raised my transom up 5 inches to accomodate the long shaft motor and at the same time, made my boat safer. Short 15 inch transoms were common back in the 50"s Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted July 27, 2013 Super User Posted July 27, 2013 I had a long shaft motor and a short shaft boat years ago. All short shaft transom's were considered unsafe and that is why boat manufacturers made 20 inch transoms, and got away from 15 inch versions. I raised my transom up 5 inches to accomodate the long shaft motor and at the same time, made my boat safer. Short 15 inch transoms were common back in the 50"s Raising the transom makes a boat safer???? That make as much sense as football bat. Did you raise the gunnels too? Quote
Super User slonezp Posted July 27, 2013 Super User Posted July 27, 2013 Plenty of boats still manufactured with 15" transoms Quote
MichiganFishing1997 Posted July 27, 2013 Author Posted July 27, 2013 Mine has the shorter transom. Its a 1978 MirroCraft Deep Fisherman. Quote
BassResource.com Administrator Glenn Posted July 27, 2013 BassResource.com Administrator Posted July 27, 2013 Wayne - I think you misunderstood what kind of boat he has. As such, your remark comes off as being pretty snarky. Quote
200racing Posted July 28, 2013 Posted July 28, 2013 run a compression test on both and see what you get. Quote
MichiganFishing1997 Posted July 28, 2013 Author Posted July 28, 2013 Compression in both are good. Already checked that. Quote
RAMBLER Posted July 28, 2013 Posted July 28, 2013 A hint. Get on the Mercury web site. You can enter the serial numbers of the motors and find out what parts are still available for your motors. Might make a big difference in your choice. Quote
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