My experience has taught me to never go back to Mercury outboards. I had a 50hp merc on my boat for 8years, had issues from day one and chased them till the day she puked. Repowered with a 90-hp 2stroke Yamaha and put 3 times as many hours over 18 years on that motor without a literal hiccup. I have also seen very good reliability out of bandrus1's ETEC. Yamaha or ETEC get my vote. Good luck with your choice!