definitely decided on a 4-stroke - less hassle to hook up and better on gas...

now comparing comments and writeups I find on the web and scrounging around for prices - think about going with the 9.9 or 15 HP version of something...

btw - the way, rain has been coming down here lately in Galveston, I'm thinking about dropping the anchor from my boat parked on the trailer in my backyard... :-/