| Grant, I can't comment on the issue of tilting / corosion, but a couple of quick observations about motor swaps.... When I bought Jezabel, she had a 1991 9.9hp Yamaha 4 stroke in the well. This motor went to outboard heaven, so I needed a replacement - the obvious choice being the 2001 Yamaha 9.9 4 stroke. Then the fun started regarding the later model.... Larger cowling won't fit in the well, spacing of the transom bolts is different from 1991, transom clamps don't open as wide as earlier model, tiller control no longer available (needs to have control box mounted), less clearance, so fumes in the well may also be a problem. I took a grinder to the back of the well and the transom to get it in, but not nearly enough to allow tilting. Those transom bolts were a dreadful job to position and fit. Perhaps be careful if designing / fitting any lift / tilt mechanism to make provision for later model (? larger ?) motors. Also you seem to be doing well to get 11 years relatively trouble-free as I am told that the Yamahas are a touch susceptible to head corrosion - which was terminal for my old white-top 9.9hp. On a side issue, one of my more successful pieces of ingenuity was to extend the telltale water outlet pipe from the back of the motor to the front to discharge the water into the self-draining cockpit where it is bleedin' obvious. Not only does this let you see that cooling water is flowing - both when cruising and especially for me during flushing on the trailer - but on hot days it keeps your feet cool!
| 
