2001 Suzuki 6hp 2 stroke

[Excalibur5]

I have a chance to buy a nearly new 2001 Suzuki 6hp 2 stroke. It has been in storage since new, and has not even been broken in. Anyone have opinions on these specific outboards? I will be using the heck out of it as we begin our circumnavigation in 5 months.

I need something that is #1 reliable, #2 possible to get parts for when things break, and #3 decent to wrench on.

Thanks!

[Jeanneau 45.2]

I can't comment on your specific engine, but I use a 2000 Mercury 2 stroke. Appears to be much easier to start compared to my friends newer (and complicated) four stokes. It's not fuel efficient and smells a bit (oil vapor), but easy to repair since so simple. YMMV

[a64pilot]

If you don’t already have a motor and if a 6 will do it, I’d buy it.
Two strokes are simpler, but very, very few people repair the actual mechanical guts of an outboard, just the accessories, water pumps, carburetors, ignition etc. so two or four stroke is largely irrelevant.
Usually a spun crank bearing or crankshaft seal, worn cylinders etc is the death of an outboard.
However getting parts for something 18 yrs old may be more difficult, depending on how popular the model was and how long it was made etc.