I have a 15 HP Yamaha four stroke. What a great motor. Mine does not have the shifter on the handle though. The shifter is next to the hanndle which, I have found, to be a little cumbersome at times. I will sometimes shift to hard and throw the motor from forward to reverse when I meant to go from forward to neutral. eek
You ask most guys that are in the know about motors now days and they will tell you to get a Yamaha. Heck, even the guys at Olympic Boat Center told me to get a Yamaha (all they sell are Mercury's). wink
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Carl C.