M_Boats: Outboard motor placement

Thanks for the first person expereinnce on the Thames River in Conn. I know those conditions myself first hand and from what you describe of the loading of the M17 I feel MUCH better about settling on a 3.5 which I can buy locally for my M17. I had been concerned about getting home in choppy water with a headwind of 20knots which happens down here in Rockport, Tx. quite a bit but I think with a storm jib and the 3.5 I will be covered here as well as can be hoped for. Tom B, M17 #258