Advice on position of outboard please

[Patterdale22]

Hi everyone
We have a 535 shetland that we are restoring. The steering on our boat is on the port side. We have upgraded the engine to a 75 mercury two stroke. We have read that sometimes the engine needs to be offset on the transom? and that there needs to be a certain pitch for performance. The engine as a 3 blade prop at the moment thinking of putting on a 4 blade? PLEASE, can anyone tell us where to centre the engine so we dont go around in circles! Really appreciate advise on this and comments. We are at the stage of mounting it thanks. Jack

[Clive]

Not heard of that, so went to look at my 35hp on my 4+2 mounted on stainless plates on a swim platform. It is dead centre, tho the bottom is 2mm off to starboard but can’t see that having a big impact. I thought trim tabs were fit this. Helms on starboard (with captain) on smaller boats help counter torque pushing down to port, do all 535s have a port helm?
Sure others will know but get it right! So do you offset more the bigger the engine? These boats heave anything from 9.9 to your size so huge torque variation.

[Patterdale22]

Thanks Clive for responding. We will keep trying to find this out because I know there is a variation here. If you learn anything else apertaining to my question would you mind dropping us a line. We have seen the shetlands with port side helm and starboard.

[Letten911]

Hi there, I'm currently restoring a 535 myself I've got a mercury 90 two stroke, running a 17 prop now, the engine is fitted dead centre on the plating. hope this helps

[Patterdale22]

Thanks for that. Excuse my ignorance but what do you refer to as plating ?

[Letten911]

Thats fine, the plating is 1mm stainless sheet, riveted onto the boat directly central. hope this helps

[Clive]

Oh I see, over the GRP on the transom. I was thinking blimey, mine is 5mm on either side of 40mm hardwood, but it’s a swim platform!

[Patterdale22]

Letten 911
Which side is your helm on please. Sorry could not reply individually thks Jack

[Patterdale22]

Letten 911
Which side is your helm on please. Sorry could not reply individually thks Jack

[Letten911]

Left hand side