lou: be careful trailering the boat with the motor on the bracket. i don't trailer my 17 with the motor on the transom because of stress concerns. the M17s sail better if you use the orignal transom cutout. COG is lower, forward, and more long the centerline. look at Rudder Craft / IdaSailor for a kick-up rudder - homepage: http://www.idasailor.com/catalog/default.php M15/17 specific page: http://www.idasailor.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=45 great company. excellent product support. they will be a the havasu pocket cruser event. - Dave Scobie - M17 #375 - SWEET PEA - www.m17-375.webs.com - Sage Marine - www.sagemarine.us --- On Tue, 1/25/11, Louis Remmers <louremmers@yahoo.com> wrote: YES new holes were drilled and a motor mounting plate was installed. The transom did very well and i was pleased with the outcome. I am now trying to figure out how to make a kick up rudder. The origional had MANY knicks and gouges and I have always been a kick up kind of guy. Thanks for your note . Lou Remmers