A cursory visit to any transport museum ~ this one in Berlin ~ will show how from the get-go every outboard motor was at least a short-tail: think drink-blenders but bigger.
If you want a reason why innovation on water is regulated out of existence here in Europe, Google 'bye-laws and speed restrictions on Loch Lomond' and spend some time with the family testing each other ~ and I choose this stretch because it is the most egregious example of lockdowns on water throughout the UK.
Then go check out the videos on tuned-up long-tails in Bangkok; remembering to wear safety-goggles, hard-hat and high-visibility tabard if viewing in Europe.
The unit of choice for driving down your waterway of choice at manic speed is a stock 1500cc engine previously powering Toyota's people-carrier ~ the Japanese producing the most reliable engines, each a gift to petrol-heads the world over.
Happy paddle-boarding, losers!
