I have the 9.9 Yamaha 4-stroke long shaft on my 22 foot sailboat. The longer shaft
gives me more latitude in getting the prop deep enough in the water for rough seas.
I'm using it in conjunction with a Garelick spring loaded mount, which is large enough
for me to also raise the engine high enough to tilt it out of the water. I think this is a
better choice for most sailboats, unless you plan to move it around to other things, like a dinghy,
where weight becomes an issue.

Sherwin D.

prodigal1 wrote:

Now that I have your attention, the question is related to outboards.
On my vintage sailboat, aux power is an outboard going out through a
well in the lazarette. Currently a steeenkin 2-stroke 15hp Johnson, I'd
like to replace it with one of those sweet Honda 9.9hp 4-strokes.
Currently the Johnson in place is a 15in shaft. Any comments positive
or negative with respect to putting in a 25in Honda?

sherwindu wrote:
I have the 9.9 Yamaha 4-stroke long shaft on my 22 foot sailboat. The longer shaft
gives me more latitude in getting the prop deep enough in the water for rough seas.

That's a lot of push for a small boat, but I'll bet it comes in handy!
Mine's a 28 and she doesn't hobby-horse much in a swell, I think I've
only ever gotten the prop out of the water once. One issue that I'm
thinking might be lessened is the backdrafting of exhaust. Currently
there's a lot of it that comes to the surface immediately behind the
prop and this gets back-drafted through the well into the lazarette.
I'm thinking that with a longer shaft and the through-prop exhaust that
things aren't going to stink as much.

I'm using it in conjunction with a Garelick spring loaded mount, which is large enough
for me to also raise the engine high enough to tilt it out of the water. I think this is a
better choice for most sailboats, unless you plan to move it around to other things, like a dinghy,
where weight becomes an issue.

No it's going to sit where it is. I've got a little electric trolling
motor for the dinghy.