db wrote in message ...
Just curious since I've been outa boating for 30 years. I used to
boat daily with a small 18 footer with an outboard motor in the east
end of Long Island. Back then it seemed like the outboards were
always in need of repair or in my mind often ( I guess the salt water
was tough on them) and I wonder if the outboards are more sturdier
today or about the same? I can imagine the motors are higher tech
but salt water hasn't changed so I'm just curious with those of you
who are currently boating what your opinion of them are? I know
today there is more selection of brands. Back then, I only saw
Evinrude, J&J, Mercury and Chrysler (a small amount then).
thanks.

Around here (Nova Scotia) a lot of smaller keelboats leave the outboard on
the transom all season.
For trailerable boats, I'd flush the cooling system after every outing with
fresh water.