Please, make suggestions anatomically possible, ok?
The last time I owned an outboard was more than 20 years ago, a 4.5hp Merc, 2-stroke. Good motor though it had a lot of blow-by, I was not as experienced with things mechanical as I am now, and I'm looking for something that will be reliable, easy to get parts for and relatively easy to work on. I have worked on cars and light aircraft, so I reckon I can do this.
I'm looking at many brands, Evinrudes and Johnsons from as far back as the '50s but I worry about parts availability, Mercs and Mariners from as far back as the 70s, Nissans, Yamahas and Hondas. 7.5hp max.
Anybody have advice which will serve me well, given my requirements? It's going on the back of a 12-foot aluminum fishing boat on a small lake in MI so it doesn't need to be uber-fast but I'd like to get the boat planing when I want to move because of bad weather or other factors.
Please, I look forward to any and all answers. Thanks in advance.
The last time I owned an outboard was more than 20 years ago, a 4.5hp Merc, 2-stroke. Good motor though it had a lot of blow-by, I was not as experienced with things mechanical as I am now, and I'm looking for something that will be reliable, easy to get parts for and relatively easy to work on. I have worked on cars and light aircraft, so I reckon I can do this.
I'm looking at many brands, Evinrudes and Johnsons from as far back as the '50s but I worry about parts availability, Mercs and Mariners from as far back as the 70s, Nissans, Yamahas and Hondas. 7.5hp max.
Anybody have advice which will serve me well, given my requirements? It's going on the back of a 12-foot aluminum fishing boat on a small lake in MI so it doesn't need to be uber-fast but I'd like to get the boat planing when I want to move because of bad weather or other factors.
Please, I look forward to any and all answers. Thanks in advance.