Re: Interesting question from a novice!
As said, a 9.9 or 15 would be good, but if a smaller/cheaper motor will get you out on the water sooner, then I'd go for it. I have a 16 foot aluminum with an old 25hp, when fishing I always put a 2nd smaller motor on it (for trolling, and also as a "get home" motor)... depending on my mood it'll either be a 2hp, 6hp or 15 hp. The 2 hp pushes it surprisingly well, the 6hp pushes better (but still doesn't plane it), the 15 hp will plane it out. When fishing, it's a pain to not have neutral or reverse on the 2 hp, I end up shutting it off and restarting it a fair amount. But I have trolled with it, and have confidence that it would get me home if need be (in fairly sheltered conditions). The 6 hp is really nice to fish with, starts easy with left hand, and idles nicely. The 15 hp idles/trolls smoother and quieter than any of my other motors. Has good power for it's size/weight, but it's overkill for a backup motor. (it was my primary before I got the 25).<br /><br />If you get a good/cheap but smallish motor, you could watch for a cheap 15 or 20 hp to come along in the off season (whatever your boat is rated for), and hold on to the little one, for a while. It is reassuring to have a 2nd little kicker motor on the back when your miles from home and the "big" motor has a hiccup of some sort. I guess your electric could also fit that bill. <br /><br />I'd far sooner have an older, used water cooled outboard than a new Briggs, but that's me. Up here outboards don't tend to get too many hours on them unless they're camp motors. Older ones tend to die from neglect/abuse, not wear.<br /><br />good luck....
