That kind of thing might be appropriate as a quick and dirty emergency
homepower solution but never on a boat. I agree with the figures
quoted on engine life however. When it comes to small gas engines,
Honda OHVs are the best I've seen.

Mic, since you seem intent on posting to this cruising newsgroup with
prodigious verbocity and authority, I think it would be appropriate if
you told us a bit more about your experience, e.g., what kind of boat
do you have, where do you cruise, experience level, etc. I may may be
wrong but you impress me as a total rookie who is not well enough
grounded in boating skills/experience to filter out good information
from bad. Enough said?