There is an owners survey listing outboard preferences on the MSOG web site, at http://msog.org/cfmods/outboards.cfm. If you haven't submitted your thoughts on your preference, please contribute to the survey, The entry page can be accessed from the url above.

Doug

At 11:04 AM 8/1/02 -0400, you wrote:
>Hi Irv,
>
>My M15 had the normal fixed mount for the outboard, and after a few
>seasons dragging the foot of the outboard on a starboard tack, I finally
>decided to put in a lift mount - as per all the positive comments on the
>M-list.
>
>I picked the Fulton Model MB17100134, which is the one with the lift
>springs.
>
>I had to make some modifications to the outboard mounting plate to get it
>to fit my Honda 2 HP the way I wanted it to work:  i.e., I cut off some
>of the top of the plate to lower the motor. 
>
>To do the job properly, make up some 1/4 inch plywood templates of the
>model outboard you intend to use:
>
>You need the propeller line at the bottom; the outboard mounting bracket
>location, and then you can start playing with the location of the lift
>mount on the stern.  It's a lot easier just holding the lift mount and
>the 1/4 inch plywood mock-up of the outboard, than trying to juggle both
>the mount and a real outboard while trying to  make pencil marks as to
>the proper mounting location.
>
>Of course, if you have some well muscled help available, then you can
>skip the mock-up step, but the mock-up does make for less sweat and
>greater conviction that you have the right spot!
>
>After rereading your message, I gave you the answer to a non-asked
>question.  You ask, what kind of outboard?
>
>The first part of the answer is a 4 stroke outboard.  Why?  No mixing oil
>and gasoline for a fuel; 4 cycles run cleaner and more reliably (no
>fouled spark plugs, which 2 cycles do with annoying regularity - and
>always at the worst possible times); better fuel consumption; and they
>meet all EPA regulations, which will gradually limit or eliminate 2 cycle
>outboards.
>
>As to Model:  Most of us on the M list have had excellent experience with
>Honda motors.  You would most likely want about a 4 HP motor for an M17,
>and they come with Forward, Neutral and Reverse - which is what you need
>for getting in and out of slips and Marinas.
>
>My 2 HP Honda pushed Eugene's M17 up the Thames River against an outgoing
>tide, with a yawlboat alongside, and three people in the M17; so a 2 HP
>will do the job, but 4 HP is probably the better choice.
>
>You'll need input from the other M17 owners as to their preferences -
>they have the actual experience.
>
>The other question is long shaft or sort shaft.  My Honda is a short
>shaft and I find it works very well.  If you are in a real seaway, with
>someone on the bow changing down a headsail, then the long shaft might be
>the better choice, but that depends on your sailing area; do you want to
>motor when you could be sailing?  You need M17 input for those answers.
>
>Connie
>
>_______________________________________________
>http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats


------------------------------------------
Doug King
M-17 #404 "Vixen"

Montgomery Sailboats Owners Group Web site: http://msog.org
Email: mailto:msog@msog.org