Best Outboard Motor 19 Hunter Waterballast?

[ladynthompson]

I need your ideas on the best value and use of a motor. The 7 1/2 HP Suzuki has not been used that much but repaired quite a bit. The last breakdown was a break in pot metal under the carbuerator - repaired with epoxy but now will not start. I would prefer a long shaft motor without an external fuel tank. I am told to run out the gas in the motor when I get back to the dock but most of the boaters I see do not do that and seem to do fine.
I am sick and tired of getting ready to sail but the motor wont start!! It is never because of old gas or sparkplug.
Is there any type of motor which would give me less trouble or at least come with a maintenance plan?
Next year, I am going to carry a spare motor in my Jeep just in case.
Thanks.

[merttan]

Evinrudes will last a lifetime... However mine is keep pissing me off... Consider couple of points before your purchase, such as;
- Would you like to charge your battery while motoring? If so, make sure you buy a outboard with an alternator...
- How much weight you want on the boat? The 4 strokes are easier to maintain but a lot heavier than the 2 strokes. I have 9.9HP 4-stroke evinrude and it's 114lbs...
- Having an electric starter with manual puller is good to have for emergencies. You can start it faster. And, you don't need to use the battery everytime you need to start to engine if you have a puller model. Those starters are heavy on batteries.
- If you want to buy, buy brand new. The warranties are really competitive and long nowadays.
- Make sure the existing holder will fit and carry the new motor...
- Consider getting a smaller fuel tank if you don't use motor much. Fresh gas is always better for the engine. And you can fill it up on a gas station on your way to your boat.
- And finally, if you are buying a brand new, buy one with the longest and most covering factory warranty. Average is 3 years. You can sell it 3 years later and buy a new one and won't spend a dime on fixing it and fixing it and fixing it again...
take care
yeah, im new to sailing from powerboats

[sailingdog]

Ladynthompson-

Merttan's points are pretty good. If the old outboard was a two-stroke, chances are very likely that you'll need a new bracket for a four-stroke. However, as merttan pointed out, most of the four-strokes are considerably heavier than their two-stroke counterparts, and as such may adversely affect the trim/balance of the boat.

BTW, a spare motor in the jeep will do no good if you have a problem while out sailing. Most of the new four-stroke motors are fairly reliable. The main problem you'll probably have is finding a prop that is pitched and sized properly to let you get the maximum performance out of your outboard. Most outboard props are not geared towards pushing a sailboat.

[LakeEscape]

I push my San Jaun 23 with a 4 stroke, 5 hp Tohatsu and have rarely needed anything close to full throttle. It started right up, out of the box, and has never failed to start by the second pull. The lack of internal tank is not an issue, nor is the mount. Because of the design of the SJ23, I can't use the big mounts designed for a 4 stroke engine. This has not been a problem, since I do not venture off shore or to places where you probably would not be taking your H19. Check the on line sources for outboards. There is alot of information available.

Fair Winds
LakeEscape
Lake Norman, NC

[PBzeer]

A 5 hp is all you should need on your boat.