TOPIC: About the latest poll...

I hesitated before voting... because my choice wasnt there!
My favorite outboard is ONE IN RUNNING CONDITION!

I am with you there i do not have one running at all yet.

I think there are 2 kinds. Ones that always work. Smooth quiet and reliable. The other kind might run, quits often, is temperamental, wears out parts, vibrates, is loud and consumes fuel at an alarming rate. Yes, they can look identical on the outside....LOL

Honestly, I was in that boat for the first couple of years of owning some FiberGlassics.

I solved it by buying enough boats and working on enough engines to find what I was comfortable with. The first ones I worked on were pretty frustrating.

Much trial and error, but now I have a beginner's knowledge.

Well I've been pretty lucky since my Fat Fifty has been in a garage all it's life. Of course I'm partial to the JohnnyRudes but I also have that '61 Mer 800FGS but its' not in working order, yet.

Bob

My favorite motor would be any one that will start when the wife is in the boat, because if it don't start, I will hear about how much money I have spent on it for about a week.

I found the poll to be too restrictive - I like many brands. My favorite single model happens to be a 1954 Mercury Mark 20H, but a close second is my 1980 Johnson Stinger 75. As a brand, I suppose I'm more of a Merc fan, but I'm certainly not one of those "Mercs are great, all others are junk" guys...

That is what I thought also. There are millions of those loud thrashing machine 2 cycle Tecumseh outboards out there and some people love them. I personally Love my 4 stroke Honda. It is so quiet and was very trouble free until that bout with ethanol last few years. I loved my 9.8 Mercury I had too. I had a six horse Johnson that I loved but just didn't have enough "Lets go" in her. By the way my 8 hp 4 stroke Honda does push my boat better than my 9.8 Mercury.