my merc 30 is a '98 L/S and i think its called a lightning... perhaps because it is lighter (couple kgs) than the merc 25

they still sold them last i checked a couple years ago. apparently they are a tohatsu motor rebranded and use older technology than the more speccy 25s, but mine has been the greatest motor i ever had. 2 strk, no power nothing although there is an optional magneto(?) you can fit.

yours might be different but mine is a great, no-nonsense, low maintenance motor with plenty of what-for and i'm still stoked with it.

good luck with what you choose

 great outboard mate have only had one problem with mine in thelast 5 years got a bit of corosion in the bottom coil cleaned it out all good as long as you service & flush it shouldnt have any dramas im pretty hard on mine goes flat out or stop i run all my electrics lights sounder 2way bidge pump & spot light every now & then & still useing the origional battery never had to jump it now ive said all that ill probly jinx myself but all in all good little outboard

 great outboard mate have only had one problem with mine in thelast 5 years got a bit of corosion in the bottom coil cleaned it out all good as long as you service & flush it shouldnt have any dramas im pretty hard on mine goes flat out or stop i run all my electrics lights sounder 2way bidge pump & spot light every now & then & still useing the origional battery never had to jump it now ive said all that ill probly jinx myself but all in all good little outboard

thanks for the feed back fellas..can anyone tell me the rough market value for this model/year..

Motor should retail somewhere between $2500 and $3300.

Yes electric start so has a charge circuit.