What is the standard height to mount the engine?
For a propeller to best satisfy particular boating needs, the engine must be attached to the transom at the correct height. A correct conventional installation would generally place the antiventilation plate about even with the boat bottom when the engine propeller shaft is parallel to the boat bottom. Setting the engine lower (deeper in the water) tends to cause excessive spray, increase gearcase drag, reduce underwater clearance, and can adversely affect handling of faster boats. Raising the engine can provide several advantages including reduced lower unit drag thus increased speed, improved handling on faster boats, reduction of steering torque and greater clearance to underwater obstacles. In the past, the negative effects from mounting a stern drive higher than standard was an increase in propeller ventilation, which could cause difficulty in planing, (particularly with heavier loads) and overheating due to more aerated water with less pressure. Most raised installations today ar
