I have a '99 merc 9.9 that came with my 20' Intruder. So far it runs great, even in 5 degree weather, but it's only been used about 20 hours since I got the boat last month. It has to "warm up" a few minutes before trolling, but my buddies 9.9 Yami has to also.

I know a couple of guides that have several thousand hours on their merc's and they just love them. Their only gripe is that some of the newer models don't have the shifter on the tiller. I think they're re-introducing that option though.
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..."the clock looked at me just like the devil in disguise"...