Hey Bruce,

You've got alot good replys already, so I'll be brief..

When my Catalina 22's 10hp longshaft died, I replaced it with a shorter
shaft 5hp Merc. Cost was a consideration, I was starting a vacation and I
quickly bought the cheaper motor at the local west marine.

I got the short shaft partly because I wanted a motor that could also use on
a dingy for another boat. I simply remounted the Catalina's outboard bracket
down 4".

If the San Juan 21 is similar to my boat, 5hp is plenty. A bigger engine
would just run at a lower throttle at hull speed and eat through your gas
can faster. As for spinning the prop in choppy seas, My big 10hp longshaft
evinrude 2-cylinder did that too. Sometimes it's just safer to use your
sailing skills than to depend on that egg-beater dangling from the rear.


Please post a follow-up and tell us what you choose.

John.


"Bruce" wrote in message
...
I need to buy an outboard for my San Juan 21 and not quite sure about how
big to go. I would like a 4 stroke and I am thinking that about 5 HP
would
be a good size. Any comments about the different brands would be
appreciated.
Also, do I really need a "long shaft" motor. With the motor mount
currently
on the boat, it seems to me that any motor would easily bury the prop.

Regards,
Bruce