Hey, just get one that won't rot and drop off the transom.
Manufacturers have different reputations for honoring warranties. When I was shopping, I checked with mechanics at various dealerships.
Honda was pretty good at the time (2002). A guy had covered his motor in saran wrap to 'winterize' it. He neglected to remove the stuff when he started it up and it slowly imploded for some reason. The shop was astonished when Honda said, "Go ahead, give the man another motor." Yamaha would have told the guy to take a hike.
I never heard nor read of this, however, I bought my 50 Merc BF '06 from a dealer on the salt water and I told him that I was going to be using the motor in salt water.
