I have an old 6hp Evinrude that is great. Pushes the boat pretty quickly. One thing to keep in mind (for racing); class rules say the motor has to weigh at least 50lbs. The 2 stroke 6hp does. A 4 stroke 4hp probably does. 2 stroke motors are hard to find (new ones aren't being sold) and a 4 stroke 6ph would be very heavy (and hard to wrestle off the transom and down below).

So-as you shop around, keep in mind a new motor will be 4 stroke. Less pollution, but much heavier than a 2 stroke of the same horsepower.

:: The 6hp sailpro is a great outboard for a Santana 22 (I
:: have one) - I'd go for the 6hp as it's only a little
:: more expensive, about the same weight as the 4 or 5hp
:: and you get the alternator included if you care about
:: that.
::
:: At this size the Mercury, Nissan and Tohatsu are all the
:: same engine but with different decals (and prices) -
:: shop around and you'll probably find the Tohatsu model
:: is cheapest. You can buy them online too for probably
:: less than Svendsens.
::
:: And if you buy a new motor either lock it up well or
:: keep it off the boat - there's been a lot of theft
:: lately.
::
:: :: 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