I want to now what your thoughts are on who makes the best small outboard motor.

Im talking about  new ones, I dont care about 5 years ago.

Tough to beat a nice new Yamaha  

yammi or merc

Thanks for the replys. Anyone else with experience in these motors?

The Yamaha and Merc are by far the two most popular. The Hondas are a distant third, reliable as can be but heavy. For reliability, power to weight and ease of service I'd stick with Yamaha or Mercury.

Im not sure if my 14 vbottom boat is rated for 20 or 25hp ,but if it was rated for a 20hp would putting a 25 on it be illegal? I want to know because Im thinking about getting the merc but they only make a 25hp.

Ill have to wait to see what it is rated for until I go to my moms house, because that is where my boat is.

I would also go with Evinrude, there new small motors are SWEET, though Yamaha and Merc have been good, so has Tohatsu

A Yamaha 25 HP is hard to beat.It will haul arse.

I changed my response,talked to yamaha in georgia and they told

me the 25 hp 2 strokes were going to be still made and that there

4 stroke line had included a 15 and 20 hp but at a higher weight than

the 25 2 stroke.

Yamaha is definitely the way to go