Can someone please inform me of what length shaft I should be looking for when selecting an outboard motor for my Zodiac MKII C GT?
My first thought is that I would need a motor with a 15 inch leg but there seems to be a lot more motors with 20 inch legs on the market.... Always the case!
It needs 15" standard shaft motor. A long shaft will reduce speed and performance ,increase fuel consumption and may even make it unstable or dangerous.
I've got exactly the same boat - but haven't used it for at least 8 years (in storage). As mentioned earlier - it uses a standard or short-shaft engine. Never had issues with water coming in at the transom regards freeboard height even in a following sea. Although it will take up to 40hp, 25hp is adequate for 2-3 people on board. I'd still be tempted to look for a standard-shaft engine and keep the transom in marine ply. It's probably easier to work with, shape, etc - and won't alter the balance of the boat? No rot on mine and it's 25 years old.
Changing the transom to accommodate the wrong motor is not a fix. It is asking for trouble as the tubes and everything will now be taking the power and weight from a different fulcrum point. Find the right short shaft motor.
Building a transom out of aluminum would be incredibly expensive (Just material costs) with zero gains. If the wood one you have now is in decent shape reseal it, and continue to use it. Take the money and buy fuel for an adventure instead.
Changing the transom to accommodate the wrong motor is not a fix. It is asking for trouble as the tubes and everything will now be taking the power and weight from a different fulcrum point. Find the right short shaft motor. Building a transom out of aluminum would be incredibly expensive (Just material costs) with zero gains. If the wood one you have now is in decent shape reseal it, and continue to use it. Take the money and buy fuel for an adventure instead.
Sula
