Hi Tommy, you normally have a flex shaft or solid shaft which connects between engine shaft and the prop. Engine runs length of boat, but to use your current engine with clutch it would have to be mounted at right angles to the shaft or flex shaft (as is the case in an rc car). Normally there is no need to have a boat stationary hence no clutch required, as most of the time you are running at full throttle or at an idle when coming back to shore....well that my 2 cents anyway!