I use a Honda 2 hp for bouy racing and a mercury 5 longshaft hp for cruising and offshore shorthanded racing. Although Ive been tempted I dont believe it is prudent to use less than 5 hp long shaft mounted on the stern for offshore short handed sailing and racing. I dont think having it in the cabin is realistic, and I do think you need long shaft

, :: Have 5 hp 19881 Suzuki at 80# with 3 gallon gas tank.

:: Long shaft that does move boat 6ish in flat water and
:: still in a sea way.
::
:: No way plastic Nissan with internal tank would do that.
::
:: In ocean on ultralights including SC 27s well before my
:: e27 . . . it takes a lot finesse to place heavy outboard
:: onto the motor mount

:: in sea way.
::
:: Never had to do it in an emergency . . . probably really
:: tuff if no rig.
::
:: mb
::
:: :: We are planning some offshore races this season
:: :: (Farallones and similar stuff).
:: ::
:: :: We are somewhat new to the boat. Our outboard is the
:: :: standard 3.5 Nissan 2-stroke "light as you can get"
:: :: standard shaft model. In any kind of chop, or even if
:: :: too much crew goes forward on the boat, the prop will
:: :: pull out of the water and rev up the engine.
:: ::
:: :: I'm pretty sure it would be useless in any kind of ocean
:: :: waves were we to need to motor home if we could not
:: :: sail. I'm wondering what others do about this?
:: ::
:: :: Is it as useless offshore as I suspect?
::
:: :: Do people carry longer shaft motors offshore?
::
:: :: Would a longer shaft motor just be equally useless?
:: ::
:: :: Thanks for the advice!
:: ::

:: :: -dan