Transom

How thick is the transom of a aft cabin 32? Can it hold the weight of a 8 hp HT motor?

You should be OK.  However, unless it is a long shaft, even then, reaching the engine in that location, will be challenging.   Starting it, steering, lowering and raising from water.

Our forum banner, is a CM32 with an outboard, but not an aft cabin version.    Even on that configuration, RPITA.

Another thing to figure into the mix, is an 8hp engine large enough to overcome freeboard in strong winds?

15, 18 is better

I have an 8 HP high thrust extra long shaft, i was gonna put on boat with cable controls and use my crab pot picker to help lower and raise it for now. The YSE is dead and i don't want to work on it or take it out while boat is floating. If i put the 8 on, i can get out and into marina, which then i can get the boat from Port Orchard where it is moored and has no place to haul and work on it , to Tacoma where i can have it hauled, bottom painted , and left on dry while i fix the motor. Then leave the out board on as a back up. only time ill be reaching down to out board will be lowering or raising it, with help of hoist. i am not opposed to fixing the yse for now, but i can not find anyone on that side of Puget sound to do it, and i am worried if i try to repair or rebuild while floating ill open her up to water.