fishNphysician,
I am so sure that you will like it or should I say love it, that if I am wrong I will gladly fly up to AK and go fishing with you just to see what it is that you don't like about it laugh . I've owned a T8 since 2000, I am on my 2nd motor only because I went to a 32" transom and needed a xxl shaft. My son has the old T8 and still runs as quiet and smooth as day one. The 2000 T8 maintenance consisted of spark plugs and changing gear case grease.
PS: The 2000 T8 probably has well over 1500 hrs. on it. beer
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"FISH HARD" ~