Once again, Connie makes excellent points. I am running a 4hp Yamaha on my M17, and I always remove it to trailer the boat. I have hear stories of transoms destroyed by thieves with sawalls that remove the compete outboard and ruin the boat. A few years back, I installed a different spring loaded motor bracket on my M23. I then discovered the older Honda BF10 4 stroke would not tilt up far enough to clear the waterline on a starboard tack. I took the Honda off and finished the season using my 4hp on the M23. Unless the wind was really piped up, the 4hp moved the boat around fine, albeit with more throttle. Henry, keep the faith with your M17 transom repair. It may appear daunting, but you'll get there. Don't forget to wear your respirator around all that epoxy! Bones ____________________________________________________________ The End of the "Made-In-China" Era The impossible (but real) technology that could make you impossibly rich. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/53c13170741d231702233st01vuc