[Ed]

Otto-

I agree with Trayder.....definitely pass on the FICHT. The local Mako dealer down the street dropped Evinrude/Johnson during the whole OMC debacle and picked up HONDA and has been selling the shit out of the Honda 130s & 225's. Everybody and the mother is buying them and so far, very few problems. The mechanics are friends with my boss and have nothing but but good stuff to say about the Hondas (and the Yamaha OX-66 2-stroke motors---just to be fair) Plus, HONDA is standing behind their products....of the few motors that have had issues...HOnda replaced powerhead or lower unit and extended warranty for 10 years. Honda also asked the dealer if he had any customers with over 500 hours on their motors because they (HONDA) wanted to take them apart, inspect and reengineer them. The guy got brand new twin 130's....not a bad deal!!

Lastly, most of the coast guard boats in teh area have switched to Hondas. The rigid inflatable center consoles are running twin 130's and the new SAFE rigid inflatables with aluminum pilot house are running twin 225's.

Just some more info to help you make your decision. The only thing I would seriously look into is the added weight on the transom. Find out what your existing motor weighs and what the new Honda 225 weighs. If it is a big difference, it may throw off the self bailing characteristics of teh deck and the hull'd ride. 4 strokes are great....but your 1987 boat and my 1991 boat weren't exactly designed for that extra weight. Even if your transom is new and strong as the rock of gibraltar and can handle the extra weight.....balancing the boat is the key issue. (Several off the new boat manufacturers are moving some of the boats weight forward to compensate for the heavier horsepower on the transom)

Good luck and let us know how you make out.