20" shaft motor on an 18'?
 

Will a 20" shaft etec work on a 1989 18sf?

thanks
brian

http://gulfport.craigslist.org/boa/3251975592.html

this is what im looking at...

Welcome aboard, bashepard.
Being that you are a recent member I might suggest that you copy and post the picture from that CL ad rather than the ad itself. Posting others ads potentially hurts those who have paid for listing their boats here and an administrator may delete your post on those grounds.

That being said, it looks like a 25" transom. But you could cut it down. It looks like it already has a splash well wall... You might want to check with Bay Mfg to see if they make a shaft extension kit for your motor. I'd rather extend the shaft than cut down the transom.

I think I've seen that boat on the board... I'd snap it up. Hard to find a nice 18.

Oops, not attempting to break any rules. Here is a pic of the transom, rather it's the best pic of the stern that is in the ad. If i go look at it for the soul reason of measuring the transom, the technique is to measure from the keel to the top of the center of the transom correct?

If anyone has any solutions for mounting a 20" shaft motor to this boat, Im all ears. Seriously, my ears are pretty big.

Welcome aboard bashepard! If I were you, I'd try to find a 25" motor. Trust me, you'll regret cutting that transom down. Mine is a 75 with a 20" transom and the first thing I'm gonna do when I start work on mine is raise it to 25". I'm not sure Bay is making an extension kit for that motor. I've been pestering them for a year and a half to make one for the zuki I have, but, no luck yet. Guess I'm gonna have to pay the zuki man for the factory kit. Back to the issue... The boat will perform fine with the shorter motor, but, if you spend any time in rough water, you'll have a different perspective of just how low that motor will be to the water. I've remedied mine as best I can, but, when you have a couple of buds fishing with you at the stern, your eyebrows will levitate quite a bit when you see the water all over the rigging and in the well. Your decision, but, make it wisely. Good luck!

Boo is correct. My first boat many, many years ago had a 20" transom. When I did my first repower of the three I did, I raised the transom to 25". Without a doubt, the best move I made!!!

I have had a 89, 88, and my parents have an 87 18SF. It is 25". Do not cut it down! Excellent boat! I would get the hull id. I have not seen an 89 with those grab rails on the cap. We have them on the 87 and they are very useful.

where do you measure from , the bottom of the hull?

From the center of the notch to the bottom of the keel.

I have rail envy.