I have used a Honda 2.3 four stroke on my S17 on a lake and was pleased with the performance. It does have the advantage of disconnecting the prop at low revs which I think is important. I set the motor up to run straight with motor only and then used the rudder. Turns in both directions were good.
On my boat there is not room to spin the motor for reverse so care is needed. However it is much more manageable than the Seagull I had on an Orkney Longliner.
Ed