Re: New Guy-first outboard?

[Don]

Like others have said, no one engine will fulfill every need. From everything you have mentioned, I feel the OMC 6hps from the later 60s-later 70s are you best all around bet. Light, easy to start, rugged/reliable, super easy to service, plenty of parts available both new and used. These engines might not plane your future larger boat though, then I would upgrade to the OMC 9.9-15s from late 70s-mid 80s. They are rugged and reliable as well, but much heavier than the earlier 6hps. The early to mid 80s OMC 7.5-8hps do most everything well in a lighter package than the 9.9/15s, but admittedly not as reliable as the older OMC 6hps…