Shaft Length of an Outboard

How do you measure the shaft length of an outboard. I found a Merc 4 stroke 9.9 hp kicker and it measures approx 22.5″ from the bottom inside of the clamp to the bottom of the cavitator plate. What length shaft is this? I’m confused, I’m guessing this is where you would measure but apparently there must be another way…I haven’t fit it on the boat yet…Anyone have any insight? Thanks

This may sound like a dumb and totally unrelated question, but what is the model number of the motor. Each motor has a different model number so you can tell if it is short, long or x-long.

I found this link. You should be able to cross reference the model to the motor/shaft length. I am not affiliated w/this store, I just liked the reference.

Mercury Model Cross Reference

That’s a long shaft. Short shaft would be 15-16 inches.

-J.

Thanks, what I’m wondering is if its a 20″ or 25″ shaft. I am lead to believe its a 20″. Hopefully, but I am confused by what I measured. Wish I’d of thought of looking at the model number. Is it marked on the engine somewhere or only contained in the paperwork part ???
Thanks.

I believe model name/number would have to be marked on the motor with the serial number.

This is Mercury’s customer support phone number from their web site if you want to ask them where markings would be: 920-929-5040

Serial # locator

I found this link in the middle of writing this. I think this will get you close. There is a link to a picture of an outboard and what the tag should look like. You could always call Mercury when you get the tag info and go from there. Isn’t the info avilable on the web great .

Let me know so I know if I did/didn’t lead you too astray.

Thanks, I found what I was looking for and it is also what I was hoping to find…Thanks Again..by the way its number is 9.9 ELH I think it was….I swear the memory is fading fast. Anyhows its a long shaft but not the 25″ extra long.

So if my boat transom height is 20″s then I would want a long shaft???

And does the horsepower range effect anything I am looking for a 25hp to 60hp tiller and want to make sure I get the right shaft length.

Thanks Pier.

Short shaft = 15″
Long shaft = 20″
Extra Long shaft = 25″

You must be talking about your main motor rather than a kicker. Can’t imagine anybody having a 60 hp kicker. As long as you don’t exceed the HP rating of your boat and know your transom depth you should be good to go.