[bradford]

I love my 150 E-TECH. Starts right up every time, planes off instantly, gets low to mid 40's top end though she may have a little more, I've never fully topped her out. Great on gas and burns hardly any oil, it will scare you until you get used to it. I run with only me and my wife, and sometimes our 35 and 50 lbs dogs, a cooler with some drinks and sandwiches. I've run a couple fast boats in my past and sometimes think I'd hang a 200 on her if I were to do it again. I had a 225 Evinrude on her before and would run low 50's top end with a 19" prop, burned 3 times the fuel.

One of the ways I reasoned spending the money was taking the price of the engine and dividing by the number of years I plan on having it, and the number of times I plan on using it per year. I heard an old man say once that saltwater outboards live in dog years, As in if used regularly expect 12-15 years out of them before needing a rebuild etc. There are lots of exceptions to that rule.

If it were me, If I could get the old 235 running well, I'd run her with the plan of upgrading as soon as anything came up requiring me to spend more than 25% of it's value. (Which isn't much, about 49 cents a pound for cast aluminum at my scrap yard) Ferm and Spare can talk you through anything with those engines and being you already have mechanical knowledge will help you alot. Keep in mind it is a 30+ year old marine engine that just about anyone with any knowledge of them knows their old and gas hogs. Don't throw good money after bad. Plus you'll love that new engine smell.