Best Small Outboard

[toenail]

I am looking for some experienced input.

I am looking to buy a new outboard under

a 100#'s. 2 or 4 stroke doesn't matter,

gas consumption doesn't matter, efficiency

and ease of starting does matter. I had a

10hp Merc at one time and the impeller in

the water pump seem to wear out and impede

the performance. Now I have a 25hp 23 year

old Johnson thats heavy and doesn't idle

well. So here is my question, What is the

best small outboard motor, between 15-25hp,

under 100 pounds, that will be maintenance

free and run great the last 20 years of my life?

thanks,

Tony

[gunflint]

Because of weight vs power I'm a 2-stroke guy. Therefore I run a Yamaha 25. If however I was forced to pick one motor for the rest of my fishing days, I would not hesitate to chose the same motor that the guides up here (that make their living with) chose. A Honda 4-stroke. But you won't be able to stay under a 100 pounds.

[Northlander]

Ya the Hondas are heavy. I guess I would have to say go a 2 stroke yamaha. Im not a Mercury fan and the Evinrudes I like even less. I had a 25 horse oil injected Yamaha and I had very good luck with it. Reliable and STRONG.

[ChuckN]

I had a Honda 15hp, weighed 100 lbs. Incredible motor.

The 15hp Evinrude/Johnson 2 strokes post 1980 (CDI models) are bulletproof.

Those OMC (Johnson/Evinrude) 25hp can be finicky at times, and again, CDI ignition is much better.

[Mark Christianson]

You don't happen to have an extra motor layin around do ya Chuck???

[ChuckN]

No, I got rid of my 1974 because "someone" gave me a 1984 (?) Johnny. That one purrs like a kitten!

[Random guy]

I had a 40hp Yamaha that was bullet proof. I used it for duck hunting in shallow water and banging around rivers and small lakes. I was never nice to the motor, ever. It always started and ran nice even when I had to beat the ice and snow off the handle to free it up, two pull and off we we went...should have never sold it.

If I remember the smaller Yamhas had the same design in the nineties.

[Rivernut]

I have had my 25 Merc. 2 stroke for 10 years now. Never had a single problem w/it. Starts every time, runs great! Weighs 114lbs.