Dirt - I can certainly sympathize with the desire for a neutral, and a reverse,

But that conflicts a bit with the appropriate size for that boat. Pat had a 4 horse 2-stroke, right? Larger than Atkin spec'd, but not terrible because: 2-stroke.

But, iirc, the features you're after don't start until 4hp, and that's on a (heavier) 4-stroke modern outboard. Might have to rig and even longer tiller extension than Pat had, and sit on the firward thwart to steer ?? <G>

If you do decide to swap it out, I might be interested in the existing one.