Once again, many thanks for all the input!! I swear, the internet is the best thing since canned beer- there is just no way this wealth of info could be gathered any other way, and on top of that, it's FREE! Even this cheapo boat has used most of any boat budget I had, work is pretty slow around her...

Johnny, in my case I'll be running it a lot. I do like the low noise, less smell, straight gas. But they don't seem to pop up used very much so far, and not real cheap when they do. So, yes, for now I'll be looking a 2-stroke in exactly that price range, 7.5 to 10 HP. I don't think my bracket will t...

Thanks, everybody! I appreciate all the different viewpoints. I'm pretty cash-strapped right now, will have to look for a decent 8-10 HP 2-stroke to get me on the water. But my final destination is a 9.9 4-stroke, sure would like a new one. We'll have to see how my personal economic recovery progres...

That's kind of what I was thinking. Knowing me, if I didn't get something close to 10 HP I would regret it. I will do a lot of motoring. Seems to me a 6 HP running wide open and a 10 HP running 2/3 throttle would burn close to the same fuel. But with the 10, you have some reserve power. So far, I'm ...

I'm in North Carolina, will be on lakes mostly but will cruise the ICW every once in a while. No ocean for me in this crate! I've seen boats this size with 5 or even less, and I know it will push it. I also know that 10 HP won't go twice as fast as 5, at some point there are seriously diminishing re...

Hello, all! Just bought a 1977 Venture 25. It is in solid condition, but truly filthy- I'm getting her cleaned up now. The boat was complete with a trailer, stove, VHS radio, and a tired bimini. I found a new 120 watt CD player new in the package under the cockpit. No head, cabin cushions, or motor....