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Tom...not to be argumentative, but I know that on the Mercs, if you try to use those other holes, you will likely find they don't match the existing holes in the hull. While this can be rectified with additional fiberglass and drilling, you end up with and engine that is sitting above the transom and you still have to re-drill. I'm certain this is acceptable for some. It wasn't the solution I was looking for. No matter what, the engines I metioned as "won't fit" are engines where the existing mount holes do not line up with the existing transom holes.

I agree that a jack plate is an alternative....here's the down sides:

1) Engine set back "may" have an effect one doesn't want on the boat handling.
2) Most jack plates do not have enough spare metal to drill new holes in the plate to match up with the existing transom holes.
3) A buyer will get no support from a jack plate manufacturer once you tell them you re-drilled their plate.

Again, Yamaha is a direct bolt up and Suzuki appears to be as well.