I have a 15hp Evinrude M# E15RC08 S# E0494966 that needs a boat. How do I determine if this is a long shaft or short shaft motor?

You sure those numbers are correct?

 

I can't get anything to match either one of those numbers in my books from 1968 to present, it's not older than a 68 is it?

Numbers are correct. I'm not sure of the age. I bought it from a guy a couple years ago. Here's a pic

looks like a short shaft. measure it

Measure what? I know a transom is either 15" or 20" I need to measure from where to where?

It's a short shaft Sloan,

 

The way you tell is to measure from the underside of the outboards mounting clamps down to the horozontal cavitation plate ( the one just above the prop )

 

That measurement should be somewhere between 16 to 17 inches for a short shaft and between 21 to 22 inches for a long shaft.

 

Like this.

 

Thanks guys

Most all of the transom's that measure 15 inches should have a short shaft engine installed on them, not always true, but mostly.

 

It's when they started building 20 inch transom's that they started using long shaft engines.

 

The cavitation plate needs to be a couple of inches below the hull for the trim to work and keep the prop from cavitating.

 

Just a little added FYI for anyone wanting to know, hope it helps !!

FYI - I had a similar looking E-Rude that was a 9.9 and it's highly possible the motor is pre-'68. I say it's possible because I don't remember the exact age of the one I had but I'm 99% it was a 60's model. It looks good for it's age. Funny/scary story I ordered mine off Ebay before I knew better. It came shipped in an old lawnmower box wrapped in nothing but a large fleece blanket! I was shocked when I got it cranked and then absolutely giddy when I stuck it on the back of my 10' jon and went flying around the lake. It was quite an upgrade from the 36# TM I was using.

FYI - I had a similar looking E-Rude that was a 9.9 and it's highly possible the motor is pre-'68. I say it's possible because I don't remember the exact age of the one I had but I'm 99% it was a 60's model. It looks good for it's age. Funny/scary story I ordered mine off Ebay before I knew better. It came shipped in an old lawnmower box wrapped in nothing but a large fleece blanket! I was shocked when I got it cranked and then absolutely giddy when I stuck it on the back of my 10' jon and went flying around the lake. It was quite an upgrade from the 36# TM I was using.

I have paperwork somewhere that it was professionaly refurbished the year before I bought it. The guy I got it from was a regular on a local site, and only used it a few times. He was selling a 12' v bottom with it but I wanted at least a 14'  jon. He ran it with earmuffs for me and all seemed good. I know he sold the boat and trailer to someone else a day later.