I used a nice 20" Merc 6hp 4 stroke for over a year, worked fine for getting in and out of marinas (so long as nobody was on the bow), but would pop up and over-rev with even moderate chop. I'm currently using an really old 6hp 2 stroke Evinrude ($200) that is a few inches longer and it performs much better and this hasn't happened since. I now work on the bow in peace as we motor out. If you are buying new the sailpro seems optimal.

:: 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