I have searched the internet, forums (including this one), and cannot find an answer to the following question. 

I own a Pelican Bass Raider 10E and will be purchasing a 3.5 hp Mercury outboard motor for it, should I purchase the long or short shaft version and why?

 

I have seen a lot of opinions, but nothing by a boat owner as to why a particular shaft length would be the right choice. The motor will cost me $1050 CAD, so I want to get it right the first time. 

 

Looking forward to your responses, I hope  

Guarantee it's a short shaft, but if you want to triple check, ring the Pelican and ask. A short shaft goes on a 15" transom and a long shaft on a 20" transom, so the transom height is the determining factor. 

I did talk to Pelican and some chick with a heavy French accent couldn't understand my question and wouldn't forward me to an English speaking person. Two things I managed to get out of the conversation were that Pelican no longer manufactures the Bass Raider or other boats for that matter; and that I needed to call the motor manufacturer. Needless to say I eventually hung up. In western Canada we are often hopeful that Quebec will in fact separate 

Thanks for the input. I am brand new at owning a boat, so my newbie question is, do I measure the height of where the motor would mount on the boat (assuming that is the transom) and if that distance is 15" than short, 20" than long, but what if its between 15" and 20" or that won't be an option?

I will measure it tomorrow and post a pic and a measurement. 

Cheers. 

The mounting plate is 7" long. The distance from the top of the mounting plate to the floor is 19" and the distance from the bottom of the mounting plate to the floor is 12". 

Anything on this thread that's any use to you? 

 

Your hull is a tunnel style hull, so the measurement to the bottom of the pontoon is less relevant. I still believe it is designed for a short shaft, but if you put a long shaft on it you wouldn't lose much except a little shallow water capability and a bit of efficiency.

I have a 2.5 Suzuki on mine and it's more than enough power to get me across the lake. A buddy of mine has a Minn Kota 30lb and he keeps trying to sell it to me so he can upgrade to a 40-50lb. I, myself, would get a 50-55lb for the front and keep my outboard on the back. Hope this helps.

I realize this is a 2018 thread and the OP has probably picked his motor 

but

I find the transom too weak without reinforcement for a 3.5hp and a two person load.  

Here's a 15 inch 3.5hp.  20 inch would be DEEP

 

how do you like that motor? I just picked up that same boat and was looking to get that motor for it.

Outboard engine lower unit length is measured from the cavitation plate to the mounting clamp inside top surface or transom mounting surface for clamp on small OB,s.

Standard length is 15”, long is 20” , extra long is 25” on up in 5” increments.

Cavitation plate should be even with the hull plane surface.

Tom

On 1/4/2021 at 5:35 PM, WRB said:

Outboard engine lower unit length is measured from the cavitation plate to the mounting clamp inside top surface or transom mounting surface for clamp on small OB,s.

Standard length is 15”, long is 20” , extra long is 25” on up in 5” increments.

Cavitation plate should be even with the hull plane surface.

Tom

Thank you, exactly the info I was looking for.

In graphical format…