"Shaft Length"

[blueskip]

Before you all start bragging, I am referring to the different shaft lengths of outboards. You see Short Shaft, Standard Shaft, Long Shaft, even Extra Long Shaft nowadays!
Does anybody have the DEFINITIVE answer to which is what? I used to think that there was a short shaft at 16.5 inches, and long at 19.5 inches, can anybody clarify this for me, or do we have different lengths from different manufacturers, (I bet ChrisP knows the answer to this one)!
blueskip

[ChrisP]

Short 15''
Long 20''
XLong 25''
XXLong 30''


;)

[blueskip]

Chris, are these what they use on those water taxis in the Far East? some of them are longer than the propshaft on my Discovery! Thanks for the info, I can now tell all those confused people on e-bay, what shaft length it is they are selling!
blueskip

[ChrisP]

These are the standard measurements from the mounting bracket to the cav plate. There is adjustment on the bolt on type engines by using the various mounting holes and lifting the engine. Ideally the cav plate should be in the range between level with the bottom of the hull and up to 1 inch below.