The LRP was not one of your original choices....but it is the best offered. The Picco makes more power. You sound fairly new though and a LRP is fewer headaches. My VG30 ran okay.... it just had no top end and the nickel alloy sleeve was kind of a let down. The 5'9 has more problems than a sailboat in a hurricane. The Axial ex is definitely a budget engine. I think you would be better served with a Mach 427...the LRPs baby and very potent brother....over the Axial 28 for the same money. Guess we will make it 5 for the LRP.