I just sold my little 12' jon with a 5hp Briggs. I used it for three years with only one problem. I got a little water in my gas somehow and it wouldn't run well after that. Took it to the local Briggs repair shop and they fixed 'er up new. Briggs took care of the bill too. Nice people in the outboard division. I'm a small guy so it would plane with me no problem. With two people we were plowing water but moving along good. It is loud for sure! You won't be sneaking around the lake. It vibrates quite a bit too. It idles a little high so trolling speed is a little fast. Don't adjust the idle. The Briggs needs to run a little high because of the single cylinder. I like the fact that it's very basic and very portable. No mixing oil. And it's air cooled so if you run into some mud, no problem. For the money it got me out fishing for three years and I got my money back out of it.
Briggs Tips:
1)Always use fuel stabilizer. Water in the carb doesn't fly on the Briggs.
2)The motor does not have a lock to tilt the motor up so make one out of a piece of pressure treated 2x4. You may have to do some carving for a custom fit that won't fall out.
3)Don't use it in salt or brackish water often or at all. Lots of exposed metal to rust on the motor.
Good luck.
Brian
Currently a non-fishing slacker! (not for too much longer)