If I was going to spend 15-18K on a new outboard for a bay boat, it would be a 250 Vmax SHO, rather than a 2 stroke! And this is coming from a guy who has always run 2 Stroke motors including a coupe E-Techs! Not knocking them, but the comparisons in weight to power on the SHO and E-tech are not far enough for me to go back 2 banger!
The only 2 stroke I would buy today is a Merc pro XS or opti!
The Zukes a real good motors also but have seen their share of head problems in years past, and they definitely don't have much curb appeal! They are extremely quiet, efficient, and powerful though!
If your heart pressed on an Etech though, go get it! It will get the job done just like all of the rest! You may get a lemon, you may not, and that speaks for every damn motor brand sold in the US!