Hi Bill, I always remove the motor to reduce loading the transom fiberglass. The boat will get it's share of stress cracks and crazing with normal use. Is there a bolt on motor mount bracket? Does it have a backing plate? I do enjoy my new Yamaha 4stroke 4hp, it's so much lighter than the Honda 10hp on the M23! Bones ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!