Yes, I did consider alternatives. My boat is a small skiff, a Lund SSV 16' that weighs only 390 pounds dry. I considered: E-tech - heavier and you have to buy the jet pump separately for an extra $1900. Mercury - also heavier and you have to buy the jet pump separately. Honda - heavier and have to buy the jet pump separately. Suzuki - heavier and have to buy the jet pump separately. Tohatsu - the only other brand that comes stock with jet drive, lighter, possibly the best alternative, but zero local performance repuation feedback. My local dealer hasn't sold a single one; he would like to; Tohatsu would like him to stock one; etc., etc., but I could not locate one single owner who could provide either positive or negative feedback. Conversely, every Yamaha owner I've talked with provided highly positive feedback. The Tohatsu might have been an excellent choice also, but I can't afford to be the south sound guinea pig.