20hp Honda/Mercury leg length

[BoatyMacBoatface]

Just wondering if the knowledgeable guys on here know what the differing leg lengths are on the short shaft 20hp Mariner & Honda engines?

I've just bought a Honwave T38 and planned to run it with a 20hp Mariner EFI outboard.

One of my friends has suggested that the Mariner may not perform as well with the Honwave because of the dip in the transom height and longer leg length. The Honwave allegedly performs at its optimum with the shorter leg length of the Honda.

Can anyone confirm this either way?

Thanks in advance

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by BoatyMacBoatface

Just wondering if the knowledgeable guys on here know what the differing leg lengths are on the short shaft 20hp Mariner & Honda engines?

I've just bought a Honwave T38 and planned to run it with a 20hp Mariner EFI outboard.

One of my friends has suggested that the Mariner may not perform as well with the Honwave because of the dip in the transom height and longer leg length. The Honwave allegedly performs at its optimum with the shorter leg length of the Honda.

Can anyone confirm this either way?

Thanks in advance

It did used to be true that some honda models were slightly shorter than other makers engines I had a pal had problems with a 50 being short for its designated length.
Not sure about the smaller or more recent models though but maybe worth taking a tape measure to a dealers to confirm

[chipko]

Don’t know about the Honda but the new Merc/Mariner 20 sits perfectly on the T38 transom. No packers required and AV plate nicely aligned with keel.

However, the large AV plate on the Suzuki 20 better resists the random ventilation issues which seem to be a common foible of the T38 hull.

[BoatyMacBoatface]

Thanks Chipko

A picture paints a thousand words as they say.

Is this Mariner fitted just as it came out the box - no adjustment?

[Fenlander]

You have the T38 bought and already own the Mariner so I'd say don't give the combo a second thought but just trial run it with your load and in your chosen waters. You may never be bothered by ventilation or floor issues but if you do just experiment with trim & loading.

[chipko]

Originally Posted by BoatyMacBoatface

Thanks Chipko.



Is this Mariner fitted just as it came out the box - no adjustment?

Okay, didn’t realise you already have the Mariner 20. Nice! [emoji106]

Yes, pic shows it ‘as out of the box’ sitting directly on transom with no packers under saddle and trimmed out on hole three of six. Most days ran really well on this setting with av plate visible on and parallel to water surface whilst on the plane. Good for 22/23 knots one up on the stock 10” prop.

On the odd random occasions when the sporadic ventilation issue occurred then trimming in to position two would provide an immediate fix.