short or long shaft outboard?

I'm buying a Honda outboard motor and mounting bracket for my Getaway. I saw one reference that I need the short shaft. Can someone confirm that the short shaft is needed?

Thanks

Jeff

I have an electric motor and bought the shortest shaft I could find. Since the boat sits so low, I would imagine you would want a short shaft on the outboard.

If you are using the cheetah mount you should get the short shaft. The long shaft will dragging the water.

Mine's a long-shaft. (After 3 kiddies and years of satisfied wedded bliss, I hope my wife agrees it's just right.)

A 2 HP Honda if you wanna be serious, on a custom "transom" mount that works just fine.

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Experienced monohull sailer, new to Hobies. I chose a Getaway to get started. Sailing in Northern Calif.

Jeff, which length shaft did you go with?

I have a short shaft, but I am in the shallows a lot and only use it under bridges.
I have found out you need to run it about once a month to clean it out.
hope that helps.

some of it may depend on the weight you will be carrying, and the type of mount, as well as the placement of the weight on board.

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Jerry Malone

Long shafts place a heavy load on the mount, so Cheeta requires short. No reason for longer than required to get under water.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

My honda outboard keeps fouling on the cheetah motor mount, and we're pretty sure it happens because the engine is getting doused in rough water. We use the motor to push out the 1 mile creek and the place the motor mount in "up position" but bigger waves in the bay occasionally splash the entire unit.
Anybody with a fix out there? A shower cap seems to protect the top, but I need to raise the motor mount position. Has anyone added a vertical extension to the motor mount portion?

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Current: 2006 Hobie Getaway

I have a Torqeedo 1003 short shaft on a Cheeta mount. I found it works best to keep the Cheeta mount lowered, and use the park position on the motor to raise it out of the water, otherwise the skeg hits the water as I come over waves. Yeah, it gets soaked, but the Torqeedo is supposed to be waterproof down to a meter or two, and so far it has been fine.

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Yet another Bob!
"Firefly" - 2012 Hobie Getaway with wings and spinnaker
"Sparky" - 1978 Sunfish (OK, it's not a Hobie, but it's a fun little craft)
Too many canoes and kayaks

I have a Suzuki 2.5 that is kinda new, but is in constant need of attention. I am Thinking about a Torqeedo. How long have you had yours? do you leave it on the boat? how long does it take to recharge? how do you recharge? 503 or 1003?
if you like, you can contact me via email.

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Jerry Malone

Is there a problem with your Suzuki? I just bought a cheata mount and I'm looking at either a Yamaha or Suzuki.

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island
Ivory Dune
Trampolines, Spinnaker Kit, Lowrance Hook4, Vantage Seat Accessory Bags, GoPro Hero3+, RTIC SoftPak 30, WaterPORT Day Tank

I think that all motors require TLC. my Suzuki is over two years old and only used sparingly. it is having issues with the water pump or something and the fuel float.
i am looking at a Torqeedo instead.
my situation is (maybe) not the same as yours.
you can send me an email if you would like more info.

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Jerry Malone

Should I go Yamaha or Suzuki on my new Cheata mount. I know Yamaha is a good brand, but it is 6-7 lbs heavier. Thoughts?

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island
Ivory Dune
Trampolines, Spinnaker Kit, Lowrance Hook4, Vantage Seat Accessory Bags, GoPro Hero3+, RTIC SoftPak 30, WaterPORT Day Tank

I would go with the absolute lightest motor you can find. I have the Honda 2hp on a Cheatah mount, which is one of the lightest 2hp motors, and when moving the boat around the marina on the trailer the motor bobs up and down to the point it looks like it will break the mount. I can't imagine having another 6 or 7 pounds added to it.

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Dave

Jerry, I have the Torqeedo 1003 short shaft on a Cheeta mount. I trailer the boat, so take it off for trailering. It disassembles into 3 pieces.

It recharges overnight, and has a surprising long battery life. I think you can drive the boat 10 miles or more at a pretty reasonable speed. I like that it's instantly on, no messing around trying to start it. I've capsized with it on, with no ill effect (knock on wood!).

I found the best way to sail is to leave the Cheeta mount down, and tip the motor up. I have a strap and buckle to hold the motor sideways, and I put a bungee around the Cheeta arm to keep it from bouncing. I had to replace the aluminum pin in the Cheeta cam block with a stainless steel bolt after the aluminum pin bent due to the motor pounding it before I put the bungee on.

Here's a link to the strap setup for my motor:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/100085529 ... 011469021/

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Yet another Bob!
"Firefly" - 2012 Hobie Getaway with wings and spinnaker
"Sparky" - 1978 Sunfish (OK, it's not a Hobie, but it's a fun little craft)
Too many canoes and kayaks