I am purchasing a new motor for an O'Day 23 and am considering a 9.8
four stroke Nissan extra long shaft, 81 lbs. This will be used for coastal
cruising in MS. Do I need extra long or will long do? I have a motor
bracket that raises and lowers the motor. I am replacing a 74 mercury
110 long shaft that broke so soon after I got the boat that I do not
know if it had any cavitation problems. I have a partner in the boat
who is not yet comfortable sailing and may be motoring quite a bit.
I had originally thought an 8hp long shaft two stroke would suffice.
Most of the dealers I talk to advocate four strokes, but allot of
boaters are skeptical of any thing but two strokes. My partner wants
a new as opposed to used motor. Any Ideas on this?

hi
no problems as long as the propeller doesnt go deeper than the keel ? Lift
keels etc. I use a long shaft and sometimes in a swell the prop kicks out of
the water.

Four strokes are far more fuel efficient but a little less powerful for the
same cc.

richard

"nortyler" wrote in message
om...
I am purchasing a new motor for an O'Day 23 and am considering a 9.8
four stroke Nissan extra long shaft, 81 lbs. This will be used for coastal
cruising in MS. Do I need extra long or will long do? I have a motor
bracket that raises and lowers the motor. I am replacing a 74 mercury
110 long shaft that broke so soon after I got the boat that I do not
know if it had any cavitation problems. I have a partner in the boat
who is not yet comfortable sailing and may be motoring quite a bit.
I had originally thought an 8hp long shaft two stroke would suffice.
Most of the dealers I talk to advocate four strokes, but allot of
boaters are skeptical of any thing but two strokes. My partner wants
a new as opposed to used motor. Any Ideas on this?