INVESTIGATOR 563

I used a Merc5 short shaft on Spritzig for a bit . The main problem I found was if I started it up and left it on idle to warm up and then went forward to release the mooring. Unfortunately the bow going down with my weight would lift the motor sufficiently that it stopped sucking in cooling water. Obviously there are work arounds, and I did, but it was a tad annoying. Once underway no real issues as the bow was lifted somewhat by the forward motion and I could go forward and play with the jib with my wife at the helm. Prop would pop out in rough water but that happens with the long shaft as well. Won’t be a problem with an air cooled.

Kevin Shepherd’s original outboard well configuration had pros and cons, chiefly it eliminates the need for longshaft motors.