I have a 12ft pelican (plastic) jon boat, thats rated for a 6HP.   Right now all I have is a 28# trolling motor.  I was looking on craigslist.com and found an almost brand new 5 HP briggs and stratton (1 Hr on the motor supposedly) for $700.  

Does anyone own this brand of motor.  I know they make good lawnmower engines, but how are their marine engines?  How fast would it push me through the water?  Would I just be better off upgrading to a #50 trolling and saving some money?

gas motor will cost more to keep running.

I have a 2.5 johnson motor that I am going to sell and get an electric trolling.

It cost too much to keep up, and more work to take care of. with a t/m if it isn't working it is more then likely the battery is dead and it doesn't cost any money to run the t/m if you get a solar panel to charge it .

I have the same boat and I have a minnkota 55lb motor and it pushes it just fine. With the motor battery and charger you are looking at about $350-$400 and you are all set for the year, no more costs. Just charge the battery immediately after each use with a good  "set it and forget it" charger and the battery should last a couple years.

I have heard many good things about the B&S outboard. Air cooled, good on fuel, pushes a 12 Jon boat fine. The bad. sound like a lawn mower and only on prop available.

depends the lakes you want to fish.

I'm mostly elec/lakes-only two by me that allows gas and I can get around just fine with the TM.

save money go electric and avoid the gas fumes

I think that you will find a new B&S is about the same price. They are noisy. I would go the electric way.

These outboards are sold at Academy Sports & Outdoors and are total S_ _ _; every one that was sold in 5 years at the store where I worked have been returned.

I purchased one used good deal used once.

Its not as loud as I expect most people online are over playing the sound.

Videos I made yesterday and today

I didnt think you could return them. I bought one from Acadamy and Im not real please with it.

Thats "pleased"

You can return them to Academy if there is a manufacturing problem which they all have  

They told me I had to take it to a repair person rather than return it. When I bought it i signed a form saying i would do that. What can i do.

Find out who the district manager is it is their decision not the store manager  

every briggs engine i have ever had has been good, but for 700 you can get something nicer for less on ebay or craigslist. i had a gamefisher(tanaka) 3hp aircooled that i had for years with no trouble. they make a 1.5 hp too but thats just too small for a 12 footer. i cant count the hours i put on that motor. they dont make them any longer so you can only find them used, but i cant say anything bad about my experiences with them. as far as speed, on my 12 foot skiff, it pushed it maybe 5mph with about 500lbs in peple and gear

not for 700. i used one and it pushed my 1444 g3 at just over 6mph with 2 fatboys and their gear. if u could get it for 300 thats a deal. a little loud and it vibrates, but it is air cooled and easy to work on.