My Honda is probably 5 years old, and I was seat of the pants comparing it's weight to a much older 2hp Evinrude I was using on the 18 Magnum. You could be right that there's not much weight difference between current models. I certainly love the Honda, and from your description, it's improved over my model.
Even 25 lbs hanging off the rear beam bothers me. I can compensate by moving crew weight forward, but when it's blowing over 15 kts, the chop's big enough to douse the motor thoroughly, even when fully raised. It's always started til now, but I always wonder. So I usually only put it on the boat when there's a real threat of paddling home.

Dave