My Evinrude 6HP (20'' shaft) lower end has seen it's day. I just went and looked at a 2001 Evinrude 9.9HP 4-Stroke that was a steal at $1,000, but am concerned it is to large. I have a hydrolic lift motor bracket on the transom rated to 15HP. I was told it should be fine for the engine as its rating is sufficient. My concern is it seems so bulky. California passed a new law this year to not sell 2 stroke engines this year. I have found two 2001 model 2 stroke Nissans. A 5HP single cylinder 20'' shaft for $1,100 or a Nissan 9.8 twin cylinder 25'' shaft for $1800. I have always heard great things about Nissan. I also located a '94 Yachtwin 8HP 25'' shaft for $515 on the Internet. Another option I have is to drive to Nevada and get a 2002 2 stroke, but I am trying to respect the principle of the law. What do you have for an outboard? What are your thoughts on the three choices I have listed? How fast and efficient is your outboard and it's HP? Does anyone have a 9.9HP 4 stroke on a 25? Would you lean toward new or used? After 15 years with my last engine the $1,000 to $1,800 price points seem high. Then again struggling to get home with limited power, or worse, floating without an engine after the used one bites the dust at the worst possible time would create big regrets for saving a buck. TIA, Tor