the challenge of the perfect M15 and M17 motors!! IMO - best motor for the M15 would be a 3HP long shaft with an external tank. best motor for the M17 is a 4/5 HP long shaft with external tank. the two most common motors i've seen on the 17s are the yamaha 4 and the honda 5 ... both with external tanks. i wouldn't trust a honda 2HP to push the M17 in anything but very light wind and seas. on my old 15 i ran the honda 4stroke 2HP long shaft. excellent motor but just a bit underpowered if there is tide and or blow on the nose. the weakest link on the honda 2HP is no external tank option. it is NO FUN to refill the fuel tank while bouncing along in a choppy sea. on SWEET PEA, my 17, suzuki 4HP long shaft. the suzuki 4HP is the same as the 6HP. the only difference are external tank is an option and different carb ... i don't have the external tank so you have to refill the tank of the go (like the honda 2HP). it is at least $300+ to have a shop do the conversion to an external tank. i've not been impressed with this motor. the water pump cannot be field replaced ... $300 for a shop to do the work. i've had the water pump fail already in 25 hours of use. the gear shifter linkage rusted and required replacement.. another $300. the 'new' water pump is already showing less cooling water stream strength in only about 10 hours of use. dave scobie M17 #375 - SWEET PEA visit SWEET PEA' s www-site - http://www.m17-375.webs.com --- On 3/17/2010 7:49:33 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time, billwick@gmail.com writes: I am having some lifting problems and am thinking of going from a 5HP to a 2HP Honda outboard. I believe some M17 owners are using Honda 2HP on their boats. If so are you using the long or short shaft version? I have the factory installed adjustable outboard bracket. Thanks, Bill M17 #622 "Makin' Time"