Many years ago, we had a Super Seal Miss Fidget, with a short shaft 9.8HP Tohatsu two-stroke outboard. When we raised the engine, it was clear of the bottom of the cockpit, and we could slip a cover over the hole in the hull, to streamline the water flow. The propellor was about level with the skeg on the boat - ie in a similar position to the propellor on an inboard engine. This seemed about right to us - though, in the context of difficulty we were experiencing going astern, it was suggested to us that lower might be better and this would have needed a long shaft engine. However, we solved the astern problem by changing the propeller, and so never explored any possible advantage of a long shaft.
Gilliane, previous owner of Super Seal Miss Fidget and Parker 275 Delphine
Delphine, Parker 275, no. 41