Long 2 or short 4 outboard? V21

[sealover]

Bought a V21. My V17 came with a short 4 which was more than adequate but in chop the prop would come out of the water sometimes. I got a long shaft Honda 2 which I love. Just perfect for the 17. The new 21 doesn't come with an outboard - but I have these two perfectly good, ultra reliable motors in my garage. I use the short 4 on a crabbing boat so I can't get rid of that unless I buy some other short shaft motor to replace it.


My question - will the 2 be adequate? Or will a short shaft work in chop?

If a short shaft is fine but 2HP (or 4) isn't enough, I'll sell both and get a 6 or 8, or 9.9

Thoughts?

[bljones]

Neither one is suitable, IMO.
Adequate power that isn't in the water when you need it has no value, while too little power in the water is just as useless.

get a longshaft 5-7 hp OB.

[sealover]

That's what I didnt want to hear. The 4 is a little underpowered for the crab boat. I should sell both and get a pair of sixes!

[DRFerron]

My V2-22 came with a short 2 stroke. When that died I bought a long 4 stroke. I kept it on the Chesapeake and the difference was fantastic. I was sorry I didn't buy it sooner.

[USCGflightmedic]

I have had the same problem with the short shaft motors on my 1974 mac ven 21 I got a 2 stroke 4.5hp longshaft it was fantsastic. The manulas I have say not to use anything larger than a 10 hp but my boat gets going great with the 4.5 longshaft.

[sealover]

So what was the short shaft like on the 21? I still haven't received my paperwork from the state so I don't know what my own boat will do. On a calm lake will it be okay? On a choppy bay will the prop come out of the water?

[sealover]

I should add - I only have the short 4. The long 2 went with the 17 when I sold it.

[SailingV17]

I just purchased a V17. I have just started the restoration process. It needs mainly a ton of cleaning. It also needs a motor. Glad to find this post! Good luck.