What is the advantage of an air cooled outboard motor?

Question

I bought a Sears Ted Williams 7.5 HP that says "air cooled" But it also says to run it in fresh water after running it in salt water. So, what's the advantage?

Answer 1

longevity

Answer 2

None, Unless you run in shallow water alot. You will never burn it up because the water pump failed.

Answer 3

I dont think air cooled is an advantage over liquid cooled.  In the marine environment the worst thing that can happen to your engine is salt water.  With liquid cooled outboards the salt is sent through the the block, but it runs cooler, which helps the engine live longer. This a liquid cooled engine you have to run it fresh water to flush as much salt as possible out of the block.   The air cooled engine you have to run in fresh water because salt still gets on the lower unit and in the exhaust if its low enough.  The air cooled engine doesn't run salt through the block but it runs warmer, I think that's a trade off.