I think a few have this a little mixed up. The emmissions rating sticker on all late model outboards are rated via CARB (CALIFORNIA air resource board). Meaning that engines with these stickers and ratings meet emmissions criteria for the state of california or any other that observes their emmissions laws. The more stars the better so they are not going to be “banning 3 star motors”. If so there would be zero outboards on the water here lol. Will the NON EMMISSIONS 2 strokes meaning pre mix and early efi models likely see an end im sure they will but a full 2 stroke ban will not occur on emmissions rated engines. So thats why i stated if they ban my optimax then the equally rated 4 stroke will have to be too. My optimax emmissions stivker says “CALIFORNIA” right across it.
So that being said to the OP you arent too far from me. If you like the etec for whatever reason emmissions concerns should be the last thing on your mind that is a non issue. I definitely recommend the 24v trolling motor tho and maxxing out the hp.