Good question. Depends on what kind of financial situation you are in. When I duck hunt I am in situations where most sound minded individuals wouldn't even consider doing. Given that, I depend on my outboards and I go places where I may have strong currents, wind conditions, travel miles down or up a river, cold conditions, etc. Key to me is safety. Safety for me, my kids and the guests that I take out. A 15 hp motor is fairly inexpensive as motors go. Less than a yearly lease in many cases. If you start pushing the $1k mark as quoted by a technician, I would probably consider getting a new one. You have a 21 or 22 years old motor. I would then probably sell the old one as is or trouble shoot it myself as you can YouTube everything now days. Try to locate the issue at hand and buy replacement parts or rebuild kits, etc. Fix it yourself and keep as a backup or sell it in working condition.