Maybe I am crazy, but I just spent $552 repairing my 1998, 26 yr old 9.9 two cycle Mercury.  Annual service, new thermostat, and rebuild carburetor.  Runs like a champ except when it does not run, which happened once last year when the electrical box went out on me.  Was going to buy a new four cycle Merc, but my mechanic talked me out of it.  Said cylinders are in excellent shape as is the pressure.  20 yrs of actual use and it has maybe 500 total hours.  My experience with two cycle motors is they do run forever if maintained.  I love the throttle on the handle and not having to run any extra controls into the cockpit as well as the motor-rudder linkage Stan developed.  If I sailed on an inland lake, I'd go electric, but with tidal currents and cruising, I need the power and range.

Mike
s/v Ranger
99 Rhodes
Hampton Roads, VA

On Sun, Mar 10, 2024 at 9:55 AM Larry Gioia via Rhodes22-list <
rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:

> Another electric guy - EPropulsion Spirit 1.0 +  with extra battery which
> I’ll probably never need. Use it on both Rhodes: in upstate NY in summer &
> Tampa in winter, both on lakes so not going far - easy to take in the car.
> Twist speed control for fwd or reverse.  Replaced Merc 3.5 hp & Suzuki 6hp
> - no more winterizing & oil changing. Removable battery means you’re only
> installing 23lb motor and 20lb battery separately - easy to move to my 12’
> rowboat.
>
> Larry
> —
> 2014 R22 Language of Love
> Lake George NY
> 1986 R22 LOL II
> Odessa/Keystone Lake, FL
>
> > On Mar 10, 2024, at 8:20 AM, Frank Goldsmith <goldsmith.cf at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > Another vote for electric.  Tired of the weight and occasional
> fickleness of the old Tohatsu, we splurged on a Torqeedo and like it very
> much.  I keep the battery at home and make sure it’s charged before heading
> to the sailing club (it’s about an hour and a half drive).  Granted, we
> just use it to get us out of the marina and back, so the range is not an
> issue for us, but I’m happy with it.  Our slip neighbor also has one.
> >
> > Frank
> >
> > Frank Goldsmith
> > S/V Mary Bess (Rhodes 22 1985/2001)
> > Fairview, NC
> > Lake Keowee, SC
> >
> >
> >> On Mar 9, 2024, at 10:49 PM, tedlesiecki at gmail.com wrote:
> >>
> >> I went electric and love it (I picked spirit but there are others).
> Also got the remote throttle so you can be standing at helm facing forward
> while docking. The dealer used to own a Rhodes so was very familiar with
> the boat. Best part is even under motor it’s silent so it always feels like
> sailing. Went from 9.8 gas to 3hp electric. The torque the 3hp puts out is
> probably similar to 9.8 at higher rpm so you get a lot of thrust at low
> throttle input. No question the 9.8 will push boat at max hull speed (with
> lots of noise and vibration) while 3hp electric is maybe like 4 knots. Back
> it down to 3.5 knots and you get 30% more range out of battery. Dealer said
> if you’re really concerned with range just buy another removable battery.
> Vs picking 1 bigger, less mobile, remote wired battery but depends on what
> you need.
> >>
> >> Ted
> >>
> >>
> >> Sent from my iPhone
> >>
> >>>> On Mar 9, 2024, at 6:16 PM, Joseph Cook via Rhodes22-list <
> rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
> >>> Hi all, my 20 year-old outboard seems to not be worth repairing.
> >>> Looking for ideas on what choices of currently available OBs you all
> might suggest?
> >>>
> >>> Thanks for any input!
> >>> Joseph
> >
>
>