Posts tagged: sailboat outboard

Looking for a long shaft outboard for sale? We have 20 inch and 25 inch shaft motors in stock from Yamaha, Mercury, Suzuki, Honda and Tohatsu, starting at $1,245 for a small 5 HP sail motor and going all the way up to 250 and 300 HP motors for offshore boats. Every motor is checked before it leaves us, and we ship worldwide.

We’re an outboard dealer based in Fresno, California. A good part of our calls start the same way: someone bought a short shaft motor, put it on the boat, and the prop is half out of the water. Shaft length is the one thing people get wrong most often, so this page goes through it properly. You’ll find every long shaft outboard for sale we stock, the prices and specs, how to measure your transom, and how to order.

What Counts as a Long Shaft Outboard

Outboards come in a few shaft lengths. The number is measured from the inside top of the mounting bracket, where it sits on the transom, down to the anti-ventilation plate just above the prop.

• Short shaft: 15 inches (letter S on most models)
• Long shaft: 20 inches (letter L)
• Extra long shaft: 25 inches (X, XL or UL depending on the brand)
• Extra extra long: 30 inches (XXL, on bigger motors)

When people search for a long shaft outboard for sale they usually mean a 20 inch motor, but plenty of them actually need a 25 inch one. Sailboats, motor sailers and a lot of pontoon boats sit higher off the water than you’d think. We list both here so you can compare.

Long Shaft Outboard for Sale: 5 to 15 HP

This is the size range where most people shopping for a long shaft outboard for sale end up. These motors go on sailboats, jon boats with tall transoms, small pontoons and as kicker motors on bigger fishing boats.

If you’re shopping a small long shaft outboard for sale for a sailboat, look hard at the 25 inch models in that list and at the high thrust Yamahas. High thrust means a lower gear ratio and a bigger prop. The motor won’t go faster, but it pushes a heavy hull much better, and it backs up into a slip without fuss.

Long Shaft Outboard for Sale: 20 to 50 HP

A long shaft outboard for sale in this range is for bigger aluminum boats, small pontoons, center consoles under about 18 feet and work skiffs. Most are electric start with power trim and tilt.

Command Thrust on the Mercury is worth knowing about. It’s a larger gearcase with a bigger prop, and it suits pontoons and heavy aluminum boats. If your boat is on the heavy side for its horsepower, pick that version of the long shaft outboard for sale over the standard one.

Long Shaft Outboard for Sale: 90 HP and Up

Past about 90 HP almost everything is a long shaft or longer, because the boats are bigger. At this size nearly any motor you find is a long shaft outboard for sale by default. On these motors you’ll see L for 20 inch, XL for 25 inch and XXL for 30 inch. Twin installs and big offshore boats are usually XL.

For the full big motor range, have a look at our Mercury 250 HP outboards and Mercury 300 HP outboards. Most of those are offered in L, XL and XXL, so you can pick the exact length.

How to Measure Your Transom

Before you order any long shaft outboard for sale, measure. It takes two minutes and saves a lot of trouble.

1. Find the center of the transom, where the motor will sit.
2. Put a tape at the top of the transom, on the outside.
3. Measure straight down to the bottom of the hull. If the hull has a V, measure to the bottom of the V, not to the side.
4. Write the number down.

Roughly, 15 to 17 inches means a short shaft. 19 to 22 inches means a long shaft. 24 to 27 inches means an extra long. If you’re between sizes, or your transom has a notch or a jack plate, send us a photo with a tape held against it and we’ll tell you which one to buy.

On a sailboat or a boat with a lifting bracket, measure from where the bracket clamp sits down to the waterline, then add a few inches. On a sailboat the stern lifts in a swell and you want the prop to stay in the water. That’s why a lot of sailors go for 25 inches even on small boats.

Why the Right Shaft Length Matters

Put a short shaft on a 20 inch transom and the prop sucks air. The motor revs high, the boat doesn’t move much, and the water pump can lose its pickup and overheat the engine. That’s a quick way to ruin a new motor.

Put a shaft that’s too long on a low transom and the gearcase drags deep in the water. You lose speed, you burn more fuel, and the motor is more likely to hit things in shallow water. It’s not as bad as too short, but it’s still wrong.

The anti-ventilation plate should sit level with the bottom of the hull, or up to about an inch below it. That’s the target. Every long shaft outboard for sale on this page is listed with its shaft length so you can match it.

Long Shaft or Extra Long: Which One?

This is the question we get the most after “do you ship to me”. Here’s how we think about it.

If your transom measures about 20 inches and the boat is a normal powerboat, jon boat or skiff, a 20 inch motor is right. Don’t overthink it.

If the boat is a sailboat, a catamaran, a houseboat or anything with the motor on a bracket, the 25 inch is usually safer. Those boats pitch, and the stern comes up out of the water more than a planing boat does. A 20 inch prop on a sailboat in a short chop can spin in air every few seconds. That’s tiring for the motor and annoying for you.

Pontoons are split. Many small pontoons are 20 inch, and bigger tritoons are often 25 inch. Measure from the top of the motor mount to the bottom of the tubes.

Work boats that load up heavy often go longer than the empty measurement says, because the boat sits lower when it’s full. Ask us if you’re in that position and we’ll talk it through. We’d rather spend ten minutes on the phone than ship you the wrong long shaft outboard for sale.

Who Buys a Long Shaft Outboard for Sale From Us

Sailors. This is the biggest group. Small sailboats from about 20 to 30 feet use a 5 to 9.9 HP long or extra long shaft motor on a bracket. Many of them pick a high thrust 9.9.

Pontoon owners. Small pontoons usually need a 20 inch motor, and a lot of the heavier ones run 25 inches. Pontoons are heavy and push a lot of water, so we steer pontoon buyers to high thrust or Command Thrust motors. Tell us the tube size and we’ll match a long shaft outboard for sale to it.

Anglers who want a kicker. A small long shaft motor mounted next to the main engine is great for trolling and as a get-home motor. Bigger fishing boats have tall transoms, so the kicker needs the length. Most kickers we sell are 9.9s from our long shaft outboard for sale list.

Work boats. Ferries, fish carriers, dive boats and survey boats often run long shaft motors because they carry weight and need the prop deep.

Jon boat and skiff owners. Some aluminum boats have 20 inch transoms. If you’re not sure, measure.

Specs on Our Most Popular Long Shaft Models

These are the motors we sell most when someone asks for a long shaft outboard for sale. The numbers below come from the makers, rounded where it makes sense.

Yamaha F9.9LMHB

A simple, light motor that starts easily. Good for sailboats and small fishing boats where you don’t carry a battery. See it here: Yamaha F9.9LMHB for sale.

Mercury 9.9ELH

If you already carry a battery, push button starting is a real comfort, especially on a cold morning. Mercury 9.9ELH for sale.

Yamaha T9.9LPB High Thrust

This one is for heavy boats and for people who steer from a console. Yamaha T9.9LPB for sale.

Suzuki DF9.9BTL5

Fuel injection means easy starts and steady idling, which is nice when trolling. Suzuki DF9.9BTL5 for sale.

Tiller or Remote?

Most small motors on our long shaft outboard for sale list are tillers. You sit at the back and steer with the handle. That’s fine on a sailboat, a jon boat or a small skiff. Our tiller outboard for sale page covers those in more detail.

Remote motors have no handle. You steer from a wheel and run throttle and shift from a control box. That suits console boats and pontoons. Remote motors need a steering system, cables and a control box, so budget for those if the boat doesn’t already have them.

Manual or Electric Start?

Most long shaft outboard for sale listings up to 9.9 HP have a pull start version, and for most people that is easy to use. Above 15 HP almost everyone goes electric. If your boat already has a battery for lights or a fish finder, get the electric start version. Most of those charge the battery while you run.

On a sailboat with a small battery bank, electric start is handy, but the pull start version is lighter and you’ll never be stuck with a flat battery. That’s a fair trade to think about.

New or Fairly Used

We sell both. New motors come in the factory crate. Fairly used motors are checked, run and listed with what we found. If you want a cheaper long shaft outboard for sale, ask what used stock we have right now, as it changes week to week. Our list of cheap outboard motors for sale is a good place to start too.

Brands Compared

Yamaha is the one we see most on sailboats. The high thrust 9.9 is hard to beat for pushing weight. Browse all Yamaha 9.9 HP outboards.

Mercury has the widest choice of shaft lengths and the lowest prices in the small sizes. See our Mercury 9.9 HP outboards.

Suzuki 9.9s are fuel injected and very light on fuel. They also come in 20 and 25 inch, tiller and remote. See all Suzuki 9.9 HP outboards.

Honda is known for being quiet and smooth. Look at Honda 9.9 HP outboards.

Tohatsu is simple, tough and easy to work on, and is popular with sailors and commercial users. See Tohatsu 9.9 HP outboards.

Honestly, any of these five will serve you well if it’s the right shaft and the right power for the boat. Pick a long shaft outboard for sale on price, on what your local mechanic knows, and on what parts are easy to get where you live.

How Much Power Do You Need?

Check the capacity plate on your boat first. It tells you the most horsepower the hull is rated for. Don’t go over it.

As a rough guide:

• Dinghies and small sailboats under 22 feet: 4 to 6 HP
• Sailboats 22 to 30 feet: 8 to 9.9 HP, high thrust if you can
• 14 to 16 foot aluminum boats: 15 to 30 HP
• Small pontoons: 25 to 50 HP
• 18 to 22 foot fishing and family boats: 90 to 150 HP
• Bigger offshore boats: 200 HP and up, often twins

If you’re unsure, tell us the boat make, length and what you carry, and we’ll suggest a long shaft outboard for sale that fits.

Looking After a Long Shaft Motor

A long shaft outboard for sale from us isn’t any harder to look after than a short one. The basics are the same.

• Flush with fresh water after every trip in salt water.
• Check the tell-tale stream every time you start. No water means stop and check.
• Change the engine oil and gear oil at the hours in the owner’s manual, usually the first 20 hours and then every 100 hours or once a year.
• Grease the swivel bracket and tilt tube.
• Change the water pump impeller every two or three seasons.
• Use fresh fuel and a stabilizer if the motor sits for weeks.

On a sailboat, tilt the motor up when you’re sailing so it doesn’t drag and grow weed. On a long shaft motor that’s more water you’re dragging, so it matters.

The BoatUS Foundation has free boating safety courses and plenty of plain advice on looking after a small boat if you’re new to it.

Shipping a Long Shaft Outboard Worldwide

Small motors up to about 20 HP go in a single crate and can travel by air or by sea. They’re light enough that air freight is often worth it if you’re in a hurry. Bigger motors, from about 40 HP up, usually go by sea, either on their own pallet or in a shared container.

Long shaft motors are taller in the crate than short ones, which matters a little for air freight because carriers charge on size as well as weight. It’s not a big difference, but it’s why a quote for a 25 inch motor can be slightly more than for the same motor in 15 inch.

Every long shaft outboard for sale we ship goes out with the oil drained or sealed as the carrier requires, the fuel system empty, and the motor strapped and padded inside the crate. You get tracking as soon as it’s moving. When it arrives, open the crate carefully, check for damage before you sign, and take photos. If anything’s wrong, tell us straight away.

Customs and import duty depend on your country. We give you the paperwork you need, including the invoice and the motor’s serial number. Your local clearing agent will know the rest.

How to Buy a Long Shaft Outboard for Sale From Us

1. Measure your transom and check the capacity plate.
2. Pick a motor from the tables above, or call us for advice.
3. Place the order on the product page, or message us on WhatsApp at +1 209 690 5983.
4. We confirm the stock, the shipping details to your country and the delivery time.
5. The motor is crated and shipped, and you get tracking.

We ship worldwide by sea and by air freight, depending on the size of the motor and how fast you need it. If you’ve never bought an engine online before, read our guide on how to buy outboard motor online, and our page on outboard motor with free shipping.

Common Mistakes We See

Buying by habit. Someone had a short shaft motor on their last boat and buys the same again. Every boat is different. Measure.

Forgetting the bracket. On a sailboat with a lifting bracket, the bracket height changes everything. Measure from the bracket, not the transom.

Too little power for a heavy boat. A 9.9 standard prop on a loaded 26 foot sailboat will struggle into a headwind. A high thrust model fixes most of that.

Not budgeting for rigging. A remote motor needs controls, cables and steering. Ask us and we’ll tell you what’s needed.

Buying the cheapest long shaft outboard for sale without asking about parts. Check that the brand has a dealer or a parts supplier you can reach. We can help with that too.

Questions About Buying a Long Shaft Outboard for Sale

What does the L mean in an outboard model name?

On most brands L means a 20 inch long shaft. X, XL or UL usually means 25 inches, and XXL means 30 inches.

Can I put a long shaft motor on a short shaft boat?

You can, but the gearcase will sit too deep and you’ll lose speed and drag in shallow water. Some people fit a jack plate or raise the motor on the transom. Better to buy the right length.

Can I add a spacer to make a short shaft longer?

Some brands sell extension kits for some models, but they cost money and add work. It’s usually simpler to buy the right long shaft outboard for sale in the first place.

Is a 25 inch shaft better for a sailboat?

Often, yes. When the boat pitches in a swell, the extra length keeps the prop in the water. Check your bracket height first.

What’s the cheapest long shaft outboard for sale you have?

Right now it’s the Mercury 5MXLH at $1,245 for a 25 inch 5 HP, and the Mercury 9.9MLH at $1,281 for a 20 inch 9.9. Fairly used stock can be cheaper, so ask.

Do you ship to my country?

Yes. We ship worldwide. Tell us where you are and we’ll confirm the delivery details before you pay.

Are the motors new?

We sell new motors in the factory crate and some fairly used ones. Each listing says which.

Can you help me choose?

Yes. Send us your boat details and a photo of the transom with a tape measure, and we’ll point you to the right motor.

Final Word

Getting the shaft length right is the most important part of buying an outboard. Measure the transom, check the capacity plate, decide on tiller or remote and manual or electric start, and you’ll end up with a motor that works properly from day one. Every long shaft outboard for sale on this page links straight to its product page with the price and details. If you’d like help, call or WhatsApp us on +1 209 690 5983, use our contact page, or read more about us. If you want to read up on boat types and what suits them, Discover Boating is a good free resource.