Re: New Guy-first outboard?

[David Stanton]

I agree with the others on the 3s and 5.5s, but let’s not forget the 6 HP Johnsons and Evinrudes that replaced the 5.5s from 1965 on up for several years. These are great little motors too! …and very, very, easy to pull-start. For more trouble-free operation, I’d go with the 6. I have one of these 6’s and several 3s and 5.5s – all good. The 6 is somewhat lighter than the 5.5, but the 3 is, of course lightest, 35 pounds with the gas tank empty. Keep in mind the 5.5s and 6s have gearshift and tiller-throttle,but need an external gas tank in the boat.

For a bigger boat, it depends how big and how fast you want to go. I like the 9.9 Mercurys (or it’s 15 HP cousin) that began in 1986 – these, in my opinion are much quieter, and more trouble free than the 9.8s they replaced. I’d avoid the 9.5 Johnsons/Evinrudes and the 9.9 and 15 Johnsons/Evinrudes made prior to mid 1980s, but later 9.9 and 15 Johnsons/evinrudes are good too.

Commonly needed parts are very available for all these motors from about 1954 on up, both from the factory and aftermarket parts from Sierra Marine – from both, you can get carb kits, coils, points, condensors, water pump impellers, gaskets, lower gearcase seal kits, and the list goes on. Note that Sierra parts are also sold (with same part numbers) branded for NAPA auto parts, O’Reilly auto parts, and probably others.
Dave