Cary - I have an ’86 a well with the same motor lift.
I rebuilt my rails 2 years ago and should have extended them upward, past the rub rail that traverses the stern.
I didn’t and it works as it should.
I have a 25 “ shaft Honda 8 that I  bought because I has a 12 anp alternator as opposed to the Yamaha 6 amp.
(And I got a great deal on it)
I don’t think the length of the shaft changes the prop v rudder proximity. With the rudder fully down, there is never an issue.
If the rudder is kicked up it  can hit the turning prop if you turn hard to portno matter what length shaft you have.
I think the 25” shaft is a better choice because you have more flexibility. You might have trouble finding one with a power lift, but I wish I had that feature on my Honda and I’m trying to find a 3rd party supplier for an adaptable electric tilt. One issue I found is that the Honda housing is so large, it hits the stern rail when it is tilted up to the last notch and I can’t quite pull it up enough to reach the last notch on the 'holder upper' pin.   As a result, on starboard tack the prop drags in the water with any heal at all.  An electric tilt would solve that problem.
I also added rollers at the bottom of Stan’s manual lift to take the load off the Starboard sliders in the aluminum rails. The rollers reduce the friction and make lifting and lowering the motor a breeze.
BTW
Be sure your wooden bracket is solid.
Although it looked to be fine, the plywood had rotted and mine broke in 2020 - - -  MY YAMAHA went for a final and fatal swim.
I built a new bracket and used clear epoxy on the rim os that I can see if there is any rot inside.
Ric
Sv Dadventure
HBNY
 



Richard F. Stott, AIA, LEED AP
ric at stottarchitecture.com
O -631-283-1777
C- 516-965-3164




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> On Mar 28, 2023, at 11:10 PM, Cary Tolbert <retiredtoby at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> I have an 86 Rhodes with the OLD motor mount system. Manual operation with
> the pulley system. I have replaced the old tracks with aluminum tracks
> replicated by a local machine shop.
> Still the motor fits on the original Starboard material. I currently have a
> 8 HP Yamaha with power thrust , electric start and electric/hydraulic tilt
> which weighs in at approximately 100 lbs. My existing motor has the
> standard sailboat 20 in shaft.  I am thinking about a replacement. I want
> to stick with Yamaha because of the shift control located forward on the
> handle. I have been looking at the 9.9 HP , which comes with a 20 in shaft
> as well as a 25 inch shaft. My main concern is will the 25 inch shaft
> interfere with the rudder? I have seen a 25 in shaft on Lee's S/V At Ease,
> but he has the newer system with the electric rail system to raise and
> lower his motor. SO. . . Does anyone have experience with a 25 inch shaft
> motor on the OLD SYSTEM. Would the 25 inch shaft allow me  NOT to have to
> lower the motor as low  and allow me to have more access to the controls. (
> my theory)  But I will take experience over theory in making a decision.
> 
> Thanks as always for the information, you guys are great. I know I can
> always count on Da List for knowledge and decades of experience.
> 
> Cary
> S/V Whisper '86
> Claytor Lake , VA