Hi all, I have just acquired a very nice Tohatsu 4 stroke, 4 hp motor for my 1984 M-17, to replace my original Evinrude 4. The only downside is that the new engine is shorter shaft, measuring 17.8" from the top of the engine mount to above the cavitation plate. The old engine measured 20", and it was barely enough. (My boat has the original fixed mount made out of wood and fiberglass mounted on the transom, not the cutout style.) I need some suggestions on how to proceed. 1) I thought I could cut a piece of about 3" from the top of the existing mount (it is about 10" tall) but I don't know if this won't weaken it too much. The motor weighs about 60lbs. and I hope to trailer the boat with the motor attached. 2) I could remove the existing mount and install a modern mount that can raise and lower the motor out of the water, but I don't know how hard it is to install it, given how hard it is to access the transom from the inside. 3) Or maybe someone has found out a better solution? Thanks, Andrei.