Hi Eric, My 2 cents, in case you haven't already bought something: for a new sailor, I'd agree with getting the most powerful engine since you may find yourself needing it, and 6hp w/ 25" shaft fits that bill. But you could do well with 4 or 5hp, too. Reverse gear is nice for navigating crowded marins (smaller than 4hp won't have this), and 20" isn't as good as 25" but still ok (and what most of us have). 15" is too short. Any major brand is fine; most are made with same parts anyway. For used engines, condition is all that matters. Have fun.

:: I just checked w/ OCSC (which I should have done before
:: posting) and they recommend the Nissan Sail Pro (6hp)
:: with a 25" shaft. Svendsen's has them in stock. Any
:: dissuasions?
::
:: :: Hi All,
:: ::
:: :: I've recently bought an old Santana 22, and need to
:: :: replace the outboard. I'm a novice, and sail out of
:: :: Berkeley Marina.
:: ::
:: :: Reading through various threads, it looks like I should
:: :: get a 6 hp, long shaft engine. I've heard that Mercury
:: :: is a good brand. Does this sound reasonable?
:: ::
:: :: Also, what constitutes a long shaft? The Mercury 6hp
:: :: outboards are 15" and 20", but at least one posting to
:: :: this group complained about the performance of a 20"
:: :: shaft in chop.
:: ::
:: :: TIA,
::
:: :: Eric