My comments (only just found this thread, shouldn't it be in "Technical"!), most of this has been stated elsewhere:
Torqeedo 1003: I echo the warnings below! The shortcomings have been discussed at length elsewhere in this forum. My negative experience is described at
http://seatern.uk/2014/06/torqeedo-1003-electric-outboard/ . Like many others, I tried and failed to "go electric".
Petrol outboard starting problems: my technique for a "cold" 6hp Tohatsu (taught to me by the Chichester Harbour Master) is (1) tweak red kill switch once or twice before fitting the kill cord to ensure it breaks contact fully; (2) prime the fuel line well; (3) choke full out and zero throttle; (4) two slow full pulls to circulate oil etc.; (5) one rapid, determined pull to start. If the motor might still be warm from previous use then there's more guess work involved. First try with no choke and throttle set to "restart". Only use choke if that fails. Of course, all methods include initial bowing and flattering words to the outboard and many offers of thanks when it starts.
Fuel/ethanol/water problems: I add Star-tron fuel stabiliser and I buy the premium grade fuel; I filter through a water-excluding filter when topping up the external tank (which I keep "full"); I've fitted an inline fuel filter between tank and motor. Whether any of this makes a difference I've no idea. The inline filter has not accumulated any water during this summer's use so is perhaps superfluous.
Slow running problems: in 2016 the motor would stop when throttled back which made shifting gear difficult which in turn made close manoeuvres very difficult. When serviced at the start of 2017 the engineer fixed this and this year it's felt like a different outboard. Rumour has it that there is a slow running adjustment which is factory sealed to comply with EU emission standards, but that it is possible to break the seal and adjust the motor... only a rumour! Of course the jets need to be clean too. Seatern is "afloat" all winter and I try to run the outboard for a short time every 2-3 weeks as well as getting it professionally serviced.
Built-in versus exterior fuel tank: My 6hp Tohatsu had an internal tank which I thought of as a reserve. However if the outboard was lowered the main sheet would catch on the filling cap at the first opportunity. It also struck me that the petrol in the small tank was more likely to go off if the tank was not regularly used. I've now removed the internal tank and only use the external one - and have never used more than half it's 10l capacity on a trip, even if motoring some distance so I don't miss the reserve.
Electrical generator: my short shaft Tohatsu (fitted with high thrust prop) doesn't have one but it's an option which I wish I'd specified. Fitting after purchase is very expensive. Has anyone experience with one on one of these outboards? I'm told they don't generate much - but every little helps!
Peter