Rose,
I'm not sure what motor survey you were looking at, but the Tohatsu 8 (2  
cycle) is preferred by at least five R22 owners that I am aware of. It weighs a  
scant 52 lbs and is easy enough for my wife to pull start. It is also 
available  with an electric start for the physically challenged.
Gas tanks? Don't get us started. The Tohatsu burns one gallon of fuel per  
hour at full throttle. My R22 reaches hull speed at approximately 2/3 throttle  
which also happens to be the most fuel efficient throttle position for the  
motor. Six gallons will last approximately 8 hours. My GPS shows that I am doing 
 6 mph at 2/3 throttle so that gives you a range of 48 miles. Of course wind 
and  tides can affect the distance over land you can travel. On Lake Hartwell 
we  don't have tides, but winds can really slow you down.
I definitely would recommend the longer shaft. I have had my Tohatsu for  
five years and the only maintenance required is the annual changing of the spark  
plugs and lower unit oil.
As I have often stated prior to this (Yes, I'm ducking) I don't believe the  
4 stroke motors have the time proven performance and reliability that the 2  
strokes have shown for many years. I am basing my statement on the problems 
that  I have personally seen other owners have with the four strokes, nothing  
scientific.
 
Rummy