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