Kicker motor length

[Sometimeslucky]

With regards to a kicker motor for salt water, does it really matter how long the shaft is? As long as the cavitation plate is under the water. How far is too far for the cavitation plate to be under the bottom of the transom. I have the chance to get a good deal on a extra long shaft Mercury. (25 inch shaft) Any thoughts?

[Pickles]

An extralong shaft could be better, especially in the rollers.

[baitsauce]

For what it's worth, my kicker is an extra-long shaft 4 stroke Merc. The cavitation plate sits even with the bottom of my boat and I wish it sat in the water a little more, as Pickles alluded to. In rollers it comes out of the water. It doesn't hurt anything just kind of annoying at times. I could have mounted it a little lower on the transom, but any boat is a series of comprimises.

If you can scored an extra long shaft you better jump at it. It's better the shaft be to long than not long enough. (Dirty inuendo not intended here folks!!)

I haven't had to use my kicker as the emergency motor to get me back to the dock, but in rough water this can be a problem.

[Sometimeslucky]

Thanks guys for both of your replies. You have helped to reaffirm my idea to get a longer shaft.

[timinthegorge]

Just to re-affirm.... go with the extra long shaft. I waffled when I was choosing motors for my new boat a couple of years ago. I went with the Merc 9.9 Bigfoot extra long shaft, and I haven't been sorry.

[Sometimeslucky]

Thanks for all the support guys. What I thought would be a 9.9 turned out to be a 15. I bought it, and it looks great on the boat.. Thanks again