I enjoy short fishing trips early in the morning. My boat is small and light, so I’ve always used a basic motor that came with it when I bought it. Recently it became less reliable, especially on colder days, and I worry it may stop working in the middle of the lake. I’m thinking about replacing it with something a bit stronger but still manageable. I don’t want an oversized option that will be too noisy or heavy. What would be a reasonable replacement?

For a fishing trip boat like yours, a modern 35 HP outboard should be a perfect match. It's powerful enough to move quickly but still very easy to control. There’s a helpful guide here: https://blog.getboat.com/travel-tips-advice/best-35-hp-outboard-motors/ . These engines offer smooth starts, stable performance, and efficient fuel use. Many also have electronic fuel injection, which is great for reliability in colder mornings.

A motor in that range should give you enough power to handle different conditions without adding unnecessary weight. It’s also nice that modern models are quieter, so your fishing trips remain peaceful. You’ll get better acceleration and safer travel back to shore when the weather changes suddenly. Seems like a practical upgrade.