Thinking about building a motor for my 16 foot Blind boat. This will just be used to get into a few shallow marshes. The majority of the time I use my outboard.

I was thinking of buying the Mad Mud Motor plans and probalby building something like a 16 hp motor. Probalby the 420cc Predator engine. I know this is probably small on the HP, but speed will not be a factor. For the amount of time used, cost is an issue.

My question is I have already found a 65inch Cold Roll Steel 3/4 inch shaft for no cost. Boat is a short transom. It seems like most shafts are 72 inches. Would this 65inch shaft work?

Thanks

65" is short, but I bet you could make it work. I am working on a 7 HP with about a 60" shaft but I dont have it going yet, but it looks like it will do just fine.

Do I need the extra 7 inches for enought bite in the water or what?

What's the transom height?
I run a 20hp - 65" and it runs excellent
My 9hp is on a 72 lol
Bow your cavitation plate - got the idea from Backwater - works like a charm

My transom is a 16inch. What is backwater? Is it a website?

Actually I have no idea what a shaft costs, so maybe I will just buy a new one. I just happen to already have this shaft for free.

im running a 56" shaft with a 15hp lifan that does great! if u do wanna buy a new shaft to to stockcarsteel.com they are outta one of the carolinas but they are CHEAP and FAST they do all kinds of shafts and dom tubing plus flat, sheet, and welded tubing too.