I have a '74 with the cutout transom. It came with a nice stainless spring loaded multi-position transom mount. Unfortunately not with a good stiffener inside the transom for the mount, but I've since installed one. As Dave said, most modern 4-stoke outboards will not fit in that cutout, or will fit but can't be turned easily (or at all) enough to maneuver. This includes the Honda 2.3, small and light as it is, it is too wide in the power head and the throttle lever comes out wide. Somewhere back in the list Jerry commented about how that cutout was designed around a particularly good motor of the era, which was of course a 2-stroke and narrower and fit well no doubt. With the lifting mount, my motor when raised and tilted ends up with weight centered more or less where it would be in the transom mount anyhow. A plus with an adjustable mount is being able to adjust motor height to compensate for boat trim, wave conditions, etc. Also in most cases the motor can be raised higher than in transom cutout, insuring no dragging. cheers, John On 5/20/20 8:21 AM, Rob Bultman wrote:
Thanks or the replies so far. I'm frankly on the fence regarding gas vs propane. I'm leaning towards the Mercury 5 HP sail power model, 20" long shaft, mostly because it has reverse on the handle. Is the 20" adequate or is the extra long shaft better?
Dave - I have a 1977 M17 with the cutout. I've attach two photos that I happen to have that show the transom of my actual boat. What is the concern here?
Thanks, Rob
On Wed, May 20, 2020 at 10:17 AM Dave Scobie <scoobscobie@gmail.com> wrote:
Rob:
First a question for you - what year is your M17? There is one issue that relates to the older 'first desk version' Mk1 boats with the outboard cutout in the transom that is different than the second generation Mk2 boats.
A 4HP motor is more than enough for the M17. Sadly there are no more true 4HP motors made - most are now the same as a 6HP with de-rated carbs. This also means the motors weigh more than a true 4HP motor. Weight aft is bad. (Motor I always wish I had was the true 4HP Yamaha.). The new Honda 4/5/6 are excellent but way to heavy. I had a Suzuki 4 (6 is the same motor with external tank and alternator options).
Place your external tank at the aft end of the cockpit footwell. Two reasons: #1 is the aft locker of the Mk2 boats is NOT safe for fuel storage as it is open to the cabin. #2 is the fuel can sitting at the aft end of the cockpit will encourage you to sit at the proper location near the head of the tiller NOT at the back of the cockpit! For most M17s this sitting location is just aft of the cockpit mainsheet floor traveler track (again there are some differences in the boats with traveler placement).
The gas can doesn't get in the way.
Propane has some negatives - mainly fuel tank storage, less range, refilling when cruising and the Lehr build quality is poor. IMO gasoline is still the best bet for a cruiser.
:: Dave Scobie :: M6'8" #650 :: SV SWALLOW - sv-swallow.com :: former owner M17 #375 SWEET PEA - m17-375.com :: former owner M15 #288 SCRED - www.freewebs.com/m15-named-scred/
On Wed, May 20, 2020, 4:31 AM Rob Bultman <rob.bultman@gmail.com> wrote:
I'm looking at getting an outboard for my M17 and I have a few questions.
1) If you have an external fuel tank, where do you keep it when you are under sail? 2) If you have an external fuel tank, where do you keep it when you are under power? 3) To what degree does the fuel tank get in the way either when under sail or power? 4) Any opinions on gasoline vs propane outboards?
Thanks, Rob
-- John Schinnerer - M.A., Whole Systems Design -------------------------------------------- - Eco-Living - Whole Systems Design Services People - Place - Learning - Integration john@eco-living.net - 510.982.1334 http://eco-living.net http://sociocracyconsulting.com