Thank you all for the input. I ended up taking a chance on a 2001 Yamaha 250 Ox66 EFI outboard. As previously stated, my boating budget does not allow for a newer engine. After much research and careful conversations with my mechanic. I took a calculated risk and bought a low-hour, very clean example of the two-stroke-power-cycle Yamaha engine. The engine was the recipient of a factory-new powerhead and a rebuilt lower unit (and all work with receipts from a large Yamaha dealer in Tampa). The owner then put 55-hours on the engine, then four-years-ago he passed away. The engine sat in storage for the last four years; then I bought it. After a careful visual inspection, compression test, and an offering of incense to Poseidon, I bought the engine, gauges, controls, steering, and oil tank, and I hauled it home.
I performed the following service items:
-replaced all fuel lines
-replaced all fuel filters
-replaced 3 low pressure fuel pumps + one high pressure pump
-cleaned VST tank
-replaced O2 sensor
-pulled fuel injectors, professionally pressure tested and renewed
-new thermostats
-new water pump kit
-lower unit oil
After all of the above, it started on the first crank and runs very smoothly in a tank in my driveway. In a few weeks, I will take the first sea trial and shakedown for the new boat.
My plan is to run this engine for two seasons, then move up to a newer Yamaha four-stroke-power-cycle engine.
Thank you all for the input.