Hi, <br />I am looking for a small outboard motor for my 16ft boat. It weight around 1000lb. I am new to boating so please excuse me if some of my questions are obvious. Whats a good reliable motor that I can rely on to get me home just in case my main motor fails? What better, 15" or a 20" shaft? Is the Mercury 2.5 M for sell here for 579 any good? About how fast would it push my boat? All info/opinion/link are greatly appreciated. Thank you