motor hp ????????

[nipper]

I assume you are referring to an older Merc inline 6 cylinder motor when you say tower of power. I bet an inline 6 Mercury would look cool on a V20. However, it has to be a pretty old engine, and is probably 115 h.p., but not 115 at the prop, so probably more like a modern 90-100 h.p. motor. That being said, and the 20" shaft issue, I would keep looking if I was you. I am pretty confident the guys on here who know their outboards could steer you toward something more appropriate in the $2-3k range. Talk to spareparts and thefermenator. From everything I have read and seen on this site, they are mechanics and craftsmen par excelence, and just plain old nice guys to boot.