25" shaft vs. 30" ETEC on my 1978 23' CC

[EagleOCNJ]

I had an opportunity to get a sweet 2007 250 etec with under 200 hrs with an old boat thats not worth much. Its mounted as a single so i hoped it would be a 30 inch shaft, well it wasnt..... its a 25 on a bracket.

My seacraft has a raised transom and has twin 25" shafts. I intend to switch to a single and will need a 30" shaft. Do I have any options? I dont want to cut my transom back down, and a bracket job would be quite a task.

Is anyone familiar with the kits where you add the spacer and add to the driveshaft? They are between 600 and 800 plus Ill have to pay labor. Apparently the 250 etec has a 2 piece driveshaft, and the kit would make it a 3 piece, so the manufacturer reccommends installing a whole new one which may be costly.

I realize that Im kinda screwed on this but what are your thoughts.>>>

[Old'sCool]

I installed a Bay Mfg. 25" to 30" kit on my Yam 250 OX66. No problem except the paint process is NOT what the OEM uses. Mechanically it's been just fine.

[Bushwacker]

Originally Posted by EagleOCNJ

. . . Is anyone familiar with the kits where you add the spacer and add to the driveshaft? They are between 600 and 800 plus Ill have to pay labor. Apparently the 250 etec has a 2 piece driveshaft, and the kit would make it a 3 piece, so the manufacturer reccommends installing a whole new one which may be costly. . .

Eagle, if you haven't already seen it, you might want to check out the E-Tec owners forum at: http://www.etecownersgroup.com/?forum=136487. There are several excellent and very responsive factory trained techs and as well as some good dealers on there that can give you real good advice on this and any other technical question. It's a virtual gold mine of info, the equivalent of CSC for E-Tecs, so join the group and fire away with questions! (I'd suggest you include engine model no. and S/N in your signature, because they always want to know exactly what engine your question refers to.)

[DonV]

To me it's how "sweet" a deal are you getting?? If it's really a good deal even after the cost of a 30" install, counting both housing + labor and you feel you still have a sweet deal, then do it! Don't forget your 25" housing is worth a bunch of money, almost as much as the 30" if you sell or trade it for labor.

[junior11]

If you already bought it, I would toss it on mounted as low as possible and give it a shot. I have a 30" single that I replaced twin 200's. Everyone said that I needed a 30" I mounted it near the top, I forget exactly where, but I am pretty sure I need to raise it more. Before I do anything, it might be worth it to try it with the 25". I am pretty sure I have heard of people with a bracket using a 25" shaft. If you already have the engine, toss it on there mounted low, and see what happens. The 1" per foot away from transom thing had my engine mounted way too low FWIW.

[EagleOCNJ]

Some great replies, thanks. I was wondering if I really needed the whole 5 inches up from the 25" to the 30". If its really only 3" that changes things. I am more willing to cut a 2" or 3" notch than the whole 5". The cost of the engine is for low retail book value and it has under 200 hrs. also a new condition SS prop. Also it comes with a boat and trailer so Im buying it and doing the figuring later! Wish me luck!!!

Still need to figure out the issue at hand. Junior, Im in the same spot you were, going from twins to single. How accessible is your boat that you could help me further on this. I really hate to have to take the engine off and on when the time comes.

I cant believe that installed 250 outboards cost more than 22k!!!!!

[mrobertson]

If it were me i would not cut anything on that transom.

I'd either bolt a bracket on, and leave the notched transom or research some kind of jack plate.

[DonV]

"I cant believe that installed 250 outboards cost more than 22k!!!!!"

AMEN brother!!!!!!! That's why I'm still running my 2003 EFI Merc!

[EagleOCNJ]

I am capable, but I dont want to take on a bracket job because Id have to cut out the splash well, enclose the transom and do it right. Id hate the look of a bracket and leaving the splash well. Also, not only looks but Id lose too many fish being so far from the engine!

[EagleOCNJ]

new thread started, my question changed a bit