Taking a hard look at the Cougar Marine Payton Scooter. Do any of y'all have experience with either Cougar Marine or the Payton Scooter. It comes equipped with a Tohatsu 50 BHP outboard which I hear good things about. Anyone have comments on the Tohatsu? Just got rid of an Etec that was a money pit!

Scooter owner here: that looks awesome! Not a fan of Tohatsu, but I'm biased towards Yamaha so I'm not a fan of a lot of brands. I fish Baffin area, but I don't think I've seen one of these. What is the cost of a rigged out scooter?

The 50 hp 4 stroke tohatsu is the lightest 4 stroke 50 out there. I think I remember reading that cougar had problems propping that motor on their boats. They may have it all sorted now. If not, ask Baumann not make you whatever they're making for sabine skiffs.

If they try and steer you towards the tldi (Direct injection), I think those motors had some vapor lock issues in extreme heat. Other than that they're solid.

Cougar is known for building solid boats. I don't think their fit and finish is top tier, but I also don't think there are a bunch of issues.

Not sure their advertised 2-3 inch draft is accurate.

If you're shopping new, I'd test drive a Chiquita also. If you're shopping used I'd keep an eye out for a shoalwater 14.5 and a 15 shallow sport.

Was hoping for pics of hot female marine. Am dissapoint

Thanks for all of the input! One question I can answer is boat/motor/trailer, tax, title and license, new construction is on sale now for $16,500. Since my age will prevent me running this thing for 30 years, maybe a lot less, I no longer need the Rolls Royce's that I used to think I did. I am going to look at the Shoalwaters and others but this looks like a pretty good deal (famous last words)! At least they are made in Texas, about 2 1/2 hours from me. While that is not next door, neither is it Florida. Being around tech type polling skiffs here in Rockport, I find that even the highest of end boats need some work. Again, many Thanks for the input!!!

One Edit: If I had posted a picture of a hot female marine I would not be needing the boat, the divorce would eat all of those funds up!

We put a 50HP Tohatsu in lieu of a 70 Yamaha on our new skiff and the previous seven engines we had bought were Yamaha's.The 50 also has a 15" shaft....

Like it so far, or wish you'd gone with a gray motor?

Very happy. Less weight. 70 would have been faster than 35mph but we aren't too much on speed. I rarely drove a Shallow Sport 35.