Been lurking around this site for the past couple of months and I must say that I've picked up a lot of great tips.

OK, my question is this. I have a 12 ft. john boat and was wanting to buy an outboard for it and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions.  I was thinking in the 5-6 HP range and leaning towards 4 stroke over 2. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  

I have fished out of a 12' john before and we had a 6hp on the back. It pushed us through the water pretty good. Better than I first thought it would.

As for 2 or 4 stroke, I have a 9.9  4 stroke. No more mixing oil/gas and its cleaner.  At the end of the season just change the oil and filter.

Someone will have to correct me if I'm wrong, but there's probably not much of a price diff. any more?

Atleast from 9.9 and down.

I have a 12 foot jon boat and i have a 10 hp evinrude 1962. it goes fast. but a 5-6hp is lighter.

briggs and stratton make a 5 hp 4 stroke for around 6oo$, it is fir freshwater only. do a google on b&s

I used to use a 5hp. on a 12' quite abit.  The only problem I had was submerged stumps.  The sheer pins just couldn't handle it.  It was an old motor and an extreamly stump infested part of the lake.  It played heck on 10s and 15hps.  I imagine the newer motors might be desined to handle it better.  It moved the boat around pretty good in clean water.  

Someone posted here on the B&S boat motors a while back.  The consensus was that no-one had used one and didn't know if they were any count or not.  It sure looks like a good alternative to an outboard and the price looks right, but I'm waiting to see if they're any good.  

Thanks for the info guys. I've seen the B&S motor, but don't know of anyone that has actually used it. Not sure what to think of it at this point. Think I'd rather pay a little more for a well known manufacturer of outboards.

I fished out of a 14 ft. aluminum johnboat for many years .I had( and still have )a '73 Evinrude 18 hP. It will haul butt on that boat.iT Currently needs a diaphram in the carb.When I fix it,I'm gonna sell it,but I hate to get rid of it.It's a solid,dependable motor.