mark: jerry's POV is for racing and keeping the boat balanced (counteract the weight of the crew in the cockpit). you do not want the boat to sit 'squatting' at the stern. the M-boats sail best if they are just a little (again a little) bow heavy. you also do not want the motor to drag in the water. for cruising keep aware of how you load the boat and set the boat to be _just_ a bit bow heavy when you _are_not_ aboard. when you and crew are in the cockpit the boat will sit correctly. i would not remove the motor for cruising. there are not concerns with the boat's transom when on-water with a 60lb motor in the transom cutout. the boats that are damaged are from three sources - #1 is an aftermarket outboard bracket incorrectly backed. #2 an overweight outboard on the boat ... like an 8hp, 9hp or 10hp ... 100lb + motors. #3 trailer the boat with the motor on the transom. adding to the above is the design of the older transoms. the 'classic' M17 transom is just a butt-joint. the boats that have the new(er) deck/cockpit mold, introduced around 1983, have a stronger joint. my opinion is not to trailer the boat with the motor on the transom. :: Dave Scobie :: M17 #375 - SWEET PEA - www.m17-375.webs.com :: Sage Marine - www.sagemarine.us --- On Fri, 2/25/11, Mark House <itsmark@bresnan.net> wrote: Jerry Montgomery says that the outboard belongs in the boat while sailing, but that's simply not practical. My old M-17 with cutout transom is said to be too weak to trailer the boat with the outboard mounted. Is this true? Has anyone actually had damage or a failure? I use a 4 HP 4-cycle Suzuki, weighing 57 lb. Seems like if the transom is strong enough to take the weight and thrust while vibrating and slamming into waves, it ought to be ok going down the highway on a trailer... My cutout transom is pretty close to the rudder, and I have had the outboard prop hit my new $600+ IdaFoil. Luckily there was no damage. Looks to me like a Davis Doel-Fin mounted on the cavitation plate would prevent the problem. Has anyone tried to install a hydrofoil on such a small motor? If so which one? Thanks, Mark House # 232 "Seranita"