Short or long shaft for Quicksilver 430 sib

[Downunder]

Hey all,
My first venture into inflatables is a 430 Mercury/Quicksilver sib.
My question is does it matter if I was to purchase a short or long shaft outboard?
In Australia, the federal government has banned the importation of two-strokes, so this has pushed the price of secondhand motors up and made them hard to come by. Four strokes are expensive and heavy.
I have found a new mercury 25 hp but it’s a long shaft for $2800.
My 430 is rated to a 25 hp max/ and 60 kg max.
Any advice would be greatly appreciative
Cheers
Down under

[Highland Haggis]

Hi as fare as I am aware it should be short shaft it should tell you on the transom plate on the left had side it will also have the amount of people that you can carry and weight hope this helps good luck with your boat

[beerbelly]

or you could measure the depth of the transom

[Locozodiac]

Install motor on transom, trim motor to 90º (fully vertical) distribute deck load evenly, go for a wot run on flat calm, no wind water cond, report if having back, side or even water splashes over transom to go from there with a quick lower leg fix....

If possible post a neat pic of the motor standing full vertical on transom or out of it to have a close look.

Happy Boating

[jeffstevens763@g]

Ehttp://www.ronhalemarine.co.uk/superbasket/product/2729/Quicksilver_Sport_HD_420_Red_PVC

The 420 is long the 365 is short the 470 is long.

Hope that helps

[Downunder]

Thanks for all the replies [emoji1373]
I measured the transom height and it came to 16 inches. Is it safe to say that it requires a short shaft then?
There’s nothing on the compliance plate that I can see in regards to shaft length.
I should have mentioned that it is a 2006 model.
Thanks again
Down under

[Downunder]

Locozodiac thanks for your reply.
I’m still yet to buy a motor as I’m unsure of shaft length.
Cheers
Down under

[jeffstevens763@g]

15/16 short 20 long 25 xiong

[69cmw]

That is a 380 you have, not a 430. The model number tells you.

[Fenlander]

So it's established that your SIB is designed for a short shaft assuming it hasn't any mods to the transom that says otherwise.

The OP asked if it mattered long vs short. Yes it does. Having a long shaft on a short transom risks grounding the skeg early, extra drag of the leg deep in the water affecting performance and an undesirable rotational leverage leading to a bow high running position and particularly when transitioning onto the plane. Also it can cause excess splash.

If you found an unmissable deal on a longshaft and just couldn't resist then fit a jack plate.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Yea ots a short same as mine max 25 hp put a 25 on her great set up

[Downunder]

Thanks for sorting me out guys [emoji1360]
Will definitely go with a short shaft 25hp
Muchly appreciated