Repower time

[gss036]

I had a ring let loose in my 1989 200 Merc and destroyed the center hole on the starboard side. Looks too bad to even consider fixing and it is 19 years old. Big question is which engine. I priced a 225 Yamaha,dealer thinks it is made out of gold, wants 23K out the door rigged. Checked w/2 merc dealers, they were withing $50 of each other at $16K on 2008 Merc 225 30" Opti-Max and then priced the Honda 225 HP w/30" leg, $20k out the door rigged.
I knew the days would come, but was hoping for more long gievity reports on the E-Tec's and they are just as pricey as the Honda.
I can get a 5 year warranty on the Merc if I order before the 15th of April and Honda offers 5 years on all thier motors.
Any thoughts would be welcome as I have less than 2 weeks to decide.
The boat is a 1989 SeaCraft 23WA w/twin cut out on soild transom.