Short Shaft or Long Shaft

Just bought a 14 aluminum boat, a 1969 chrysler vee, I need a motor but I want to purchase the right one. The max hp is 24 hp, i dont need that much motor as this is my first boat, I'm thinking somewhere in the 7.5 hp to 15 hp range which brings me to my question, how do I know which shaft to get, on the transom, I measured from top to bottom in the middle and it came out to 16 inches, which way do I go, I live in michigan, so if theirs anyone with a motor in this range, contact me on here and let me turn your sitting motor into cash, willing to travel a short distance to get it, not asking you bless me with it unless your heart wants you to as I have cash but I'm trying to keep it in the $500 or less range. thanks in advance.

you would need a short shaft outboard !!!

Typically a short shaft is around 15", and a long shaft is about 20.

What kind of waters will you be on? Would you be better off with a big trolling motor on the back? Or a big foot control on the front, with a rudder on the back?

That age boat may be relatively heavy (well made) so I would suggest 15 to 20 HP, not for speed but for planing off without having to run wide open. If you have two people plus gear and maybe a trolling motor and battery it adds up quickly.

Measure from top of Transom to bottom of boat...It will be about (15" short ) or( 20" long) .......... there are longer 25/30 but used in Way bigger boats