To all those who lift and flush their engines after each use, I salute you. Too much work for me.

I've got a Yamaha 8 hp. Its 10 years old and still going strong. I leave it sitting in salt water 8 months a year. Almost no corrosion. Yamahas are supposed to be particulary good that way.

I've never fresh water flushed it.

Its got a charger and electric start. I pull-start it most of the time anyway. I don't know why.

There was only one time she wouldn't start. I couldn't figure out what was wrong. I kept pulling the cord ....vroompa....vroompa....vroompa.....no dice. Damn near seperated my shoulder trying. I was getting seriously depressed. Then I noticed the kill switch lanyard clip had come out. Clipped it back in and she started right up.

God, I love that little engine. Her name is "Yoshi, The One Pull Wonder."

If she ever dies, I'm getting another one.