Argh, I hate 2-stroke outboards. I've had two, and both were the same
, evil, out to get me. I would test them in a bucket of water - fine, work well. Carry them across the road and put them on the boat. Wait for a break in the waves and go for it. Scream - dead outboard. I would row like a lunatic and get out the back, then five minutes later it would decide to go. One an eight horse Mercury and the other a four horse Mercury.
The next outboard I buy is going to be a 4-stroke Honda.