Weight seems to be the issue with four stroke outboards,and after checking the weights on the Merc four strokes I have in mind,the 9.9 is about 30 lbs.
lighter than the 15. Given the fact that I fish mostly for blue gill,crappie ,and perch on small to moderate size lakes with 10 MPH speed limits and/or 10 HP
limits,I can most likely live with a 9.9 Mercury four stroke on a light weight
Lund A-14 utility-v bottom. Very seldom,if ever,do I have anyone else in the boat with me,so again,I believe I can live with a 9.9 HP motor. I carry very little equipment on board; mostly one or two poles, a small tackle box,bait,
and my wire mesh fish basket,...hardly any weight there to speak of. So,to those of you recommending the 9.9 motor over the 15 motor,...I have chosen to go with the 9.9! I will call my dealer and tell him to scratch the 15 and put on a 9.9 motor instead! Now,I just need the next six to seven months to save for the down payment. Until then,the old Sea Nymph will do for now!
But just think of how much better fuel economy I will have with a 9.9 HP
four stroke over the old 18 HP Evinrude I am running on my current boat.