Good choice of motor. Some will hate on the Mercs but
I can tell you from first hand experience that the 40-50-60 EFI group of
motors with the CT gearcase are pretty much bullet proof.
We have been using the 50hp CT motors in our rental fleet since 2012
and they get beat to death, overheated (from customers beaching them and
sucking up a bunch of sand) and more propeller strikes on rocks than I can
count but yet they continue to run.
We use aluminum props which are more forgiving to impacts than stainless.
So far this last batch of motors (2018's) in our fleet have about 2000 hours on them
and are getting tired but it's mainly because they have been abused.
Post up or IM me if you have any questions about them.
KB