Wanting Used 25hp Short Shaft

[Arkansas Traveler]

First time posting but have been reading for a while.  Thanks for all of the great information that is shared on this forum.  I hope to eventually be able to start sharing as well.  I recently purchased an Arkansas Traveler aluminum boat and am in need of a 25hp tiller short shaft outboard.  If anyone knows of one for sale or at least a place to start looking please let me know.  I have already been calling the local shops to see if they had one and do not at this point in time. This will be my second boat, the first I managed to buy a motor that idled on muffs fine but had a scored cylinder and would only idle.  Needless to say I am leery of buying one off of craigslist, but cannot afford a brand new one.  Thanks for any input! 

[fishinwrench]

No real need to be leery, a 25hp with damaged cylinders is very rare.  The motor only has 2 cylinders and 1 carburetor so when all things are not right then it simply will not run, so it saves itself.   About the only way to destroy a 2 cylinder outboard is to run it without oil or let it overheat to the point of a total meltdown.   And hey, even if it does have cylinder damage.....It isn't all that expensive to rebuild.    

[Arkansas Traveler]

Thanks, that eases the worry some.  Do you have any advice as to what I should look for or questions to ask when i go and look at them?  Or even certain models to stay away from or gravitate towards?  Seems to be plenty of long shafts out there but finding a short shaft seems to be a little more difficult.    

[Sore Thumbs]

Take a compression tester with you. Find out from someone what proper compression specs are acceptable. That would at least be a start. If motor has good compression do a lake test to make sure it runs out. If you can't do those things then shy away.