Engine Shaft length on a V21

[Destroyer]

Quick question. Does anyone know what the engine shaft length on a V21 is? Someone was telling me that a 25" was the proper length on the engine. I thought that it was a 20". Anyone know for sure what the proper length is? (without a jack plate)

[THEFERMANATOR]

All V21's are 25" shaft from the factory. I know Reel used a jackplate and dropped his 20" down all the way with it and got away with it.

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by THEFERMANATOR

All V21's are 25" shaft from the factory. I know Reel used a jackplate and dropped his 20" down all the way with it and got away with it.

Thanks Ferm, that's exactly the info I needed... You da man!!

[smokeonthewater]

fwiw... if you have the boat all you have to do is measure from the top of the transom to the keel http://www.smalloutboards.com/shaft.htm

Mine is 20" btw.... I thought that was the norm but I'm new to V-20's?

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by smokeonthewater

fwiw... if you have the boat all you have to do is measure from the transom to the keel http://www.smalloutboards.com/shaft.htm

Mine is 20" btw.... I thought that was the norm but I'm new to V-20's?

You're correct, 20" is the norm for a V20. But when they made the V21 they basically added a built in bracket on the stern, and for a V21 the norm is 25"...which makes me a few hundred dollars poorer since I'll either have to convert my 20" Merc to a 25" or add a jack plate to lower the Merc. Either way it's gonna cost a few sheckles.. I'm kinda leaning towards converting it since I have to change the impeller for routine maintenance anyways. Anyone have any thoughts on the matter? Anyone have a 25" lower end for a 1991 Merc 200?

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

You're correct, 20" is the norm for a V20. But when they made the V21 they basically added a built in bracket on the stern, and for a V21 the norm is 25"...which makes me a few hundred dollars poorer since I'll either have to convert my 20" Merc to a 25" or add a jack plate to lower the Merc. Either way it's gonna cost a few sheckles.. I'm kinda leaning towards converting it since I have to change the impeller for routine maintenance anyways. Anyone have any thoughts on the matter? Anyone have a 25" lower end for a 1991 Merc 200?

They get about $550 for the 5" spacer kit for the outboard, so finding a 25" engine with a blown powerhead may be cheaper, then resell your old 20" stuff to recover the profit. Soundsl ike to much work, you should ship it down here and I'll hang this 225 I got on it.

[RWilson2526]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

You're correct, 20" is the norm for a V20. But when they made the V21 they basically added a built in bracket on the stern, and for a V21 the norm is 25"...

Just for the record I'm pretty sure V-20's went to a 25" transom way before the V-21's came out...not sure on the year but prior to 86 at least