the long shaft is $1250 the short shaft is $1899, but i spose if you raise your transom that dont matter. and if for $1250 you get 12 months maybe a few years outta it then go 4 it. i have the 18hp tohatsu and its the same motor from my dealer as the ones they sell for commercial use with strengthened gearboxes its 40 or so more ccs then a 15 yammie and the extra 3 hp is really noticed. the tohatsu is a simple motor its a little rougher (real 2 stroke) but made to last decades if looked after. ive known my dealer for years and he dont care if i buy, he tells me honestly how much he stands by the motors he sells, unlike yamaha with the cheaper cv and having to pay heaps more to get the better motor, and mercury where you have to pay up to get a sea pro, the tohatsu is the better motor they dont do a cheap engine you get the top of the line for that $2100.00 but to sum up if i only had $1250 and wanting to go boating this crissie or not going boating id buy the parsun for an interem motor...