I have a 4-horse 4-stroke on my M17, and I achieve hull-speed @ half-throttle . . . Last summer, I motored a few miles against a wicked chop in gale-force winds and my 4-horse didn't have to work substantially harder than it does in a flat-calm, except for the occassional unnerving cavitation (which you'll have with every outboard in practically every mounting configuration, except in boats with outboard wells, which present their own logistical problems). Now, I've never motored against a tide, Giles and Connie could probably weigh in on that, but my outboard philosophy is, "Less is more, mount the smallest auxiliary that will get the job done." I've been told that the difference between 4 horses and 5 is negligiblel. I think 4 horses are plenty for the 17 in practically every circumstance beyond motoring against the Snake River. But my opinion and $1.85 might buy a bitter cup of dark-roast at Starbucks. ----- Original Message ----- From: "L Smith" <lsmith56@cox.net> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, April 30, 2004 11:10 PM Subject: M-17 aux. motor Larry.........I had a 6hp Johnson 2 stroke on my 17.........wouldn't want anything much smaller. Lenny M-23 Sea Horse