2hp Honda long or short shaft?

Big Mac · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:32 pm Post subject: 2hp Honda long or short shaft?

I have a 7 1/2 foot dinghy with a 15" transom. Hondas web site says use a short shaft. Is this the choice of other C-brats? I want to be ready to purchase as soon as Geroge W. sends out the checks. I want to do my part for the economy. Thanks for any posts, Big Mac.

tsturm

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 4:51 pm Post subject: Size Matters

Hi there Big Mac,

Diana and I chose a long shaft Honda for our dinghy, even though a short shaft was recommended. Reason being that we use it on two other boats. It works great on our Montgomery 15 sailboat, plus I occasionally put it on the back of my Gregor aluminum boat when I want a backup kicker.

Regards,

Steve

bshillam · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:10 pm Post subject: Future use

In addition, you may want to use it on a donut style of dink later and if that's the case then you have both with the long shaft. Just my two cents. If your in the Northwest I can make a recommendation to shop near Seattle.

thataway · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:22 pm Post subject:

The advantage of the long shaft is that it will work on higher transoms. (some of the soft back boats with bracket are 15" some 20". We have used a long shaft dinghy motor, but considered it a pain, because:
1 it was hard to pull it up and clear of the bottom as we beached the boat.
2 it was less likely to clear the water when pinned in the "up" position.
3 if you are running a planing boat (not with the 2hp) it will not steer or plane as well.

Phantom · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:25 pm Post subject:

I have a 2hp Honda which I have used on both dinks and inflatables. It is a short shaft, and for general use I would not recommend a long shaft. The exception would be if it needed to be used on other boats which could not use the shortie.

In addition to the reasons others have given, my reasons are:

The little Honda is direct drive, which means that if the motor is running the prop is turning. If starting from the beach or rocks that means you must be considerably deeper when starting or stopping the engine.

On a beach or shore with a gentle slope that additional 5" of length can mean many yards of slogging out to achieve enough depth to prevent damage or grounding.

Long shafts work better on short transoms than the other way around, but they still lose efficiency.

The deeper the protrusion below a hull, the more likely to be damaged.

A short shaft when tilted can snake through a surprising amount of seaweed while still steering well. The long shaft not so.

A longer shaft is harder to store.

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:45 pm Post subject: Direct Drive

Phantom,

I do not believe you can buy a long shaft Honda 2 that is direct drive now. They used to make that model, but I believe all of the long shafts now have the centrifugal clutch. Not quite the issue that direct drive would be in real shallow water.

Steve

thataway · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 10:59 pm Post subject:

A personal view on the centrifical clutch--I didn't like it, and sold my Honda 2hp because of that. I like to be able to idle up to a boat, or hold position. With the clutch, you had to give the engine considerable throttle to engage the clutch, so I went back to an outboard with a manual clutch.

Some other folks really like the clutches--so it boils down to personal preference--but try the engine with the centrifical clutch before you buy.

C-Hawk · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:10 pm Post subject:

I have the Honda 2 horse short shaft-----
While cruising around the San Juans I found out that the 2 horse does not have enough power-----
We got stuck in a current and PJ had to use the oars to get us past and out of the current.
Some of those tidal currents are wicked up there.
I know it is a lot easier to carry the small, lightweight 2, but I will be getting a 4 horse soon to replace the 2.

TyBoo · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:05 am Post subject:

Bess-C · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:03 am Post subject:

Big Mac,
I have a almost new 2 hp Honda short shaft that I'll sell to you if you want it. I bought an an Alaska series dingy at last year's boat show and it takes a long shaft. PM me if you're interested.
Lyle

SeaSpray · Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 10:53 pm Post subject:

Looking at some old posts about 2hp motors I was surprised to see that the Alaska series dinghy needs a long shaft motor. Is that true for all models and why is it needed? Are the tubes that much large diameter than other dinghies?

Thanks,
Steve

Wefings · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 8:30 am Post subject:

Suzuki 2.5 is just a couple Lbs. more than he Honda , water cooled, has forward and neutral and less $$$. I believe all the tiny motors are 15". PM me if anyone's interested I have one extra to get rid of at a great price .NIB
Marc