Ron, I have the 3.5 Merc, long shaft and it works great at 1/2 throttle. However, I sail an M-15. I've never had a problem in strong winds. If it's too rough for me, I'll drop the sails and motor. No problems. Skip -----Original Message----- From: August Trometer <atrometer@gmail.com> To: 'Ronald McNeil' <ronaldwmcneil@yahoo.com>; 'For and about Montgomery Sailboats' <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Sun, Sep 23, 2012 2:17 pm Subject: Re: M_Boats: Yamaha 4hp or Mercury 3.5hp on M17 I have a 2 cycle 2.5 hp Merc (Tohatsu) that pushes my M15 hull speed plus at about half throttle. -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Ronald McNeil Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2012 1:08 PM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: Yamaha 4hp or Mercury 3.5hp on M17 Hi, I have a new M17 on order and I’m now shopping for a motor. I was planning to go with the Yamaha 4hp, but if I go with the Mercury 3.5 it would only weigh 40lbs vs. 60lbs, which I like. My biggest concern I guess with either of these is their ability to motor into a strong head wind. Does any have experience motoring in stong wind with these or like size motors on an M17?