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Was standing around looking at a cove full of oyster boats the other day - if there were 100 boats - over 90 of them had yamaha's hanging on the back...Yamaha and Tohatsu have been good to me....most anything will serve you well if you take care of it.

Reel Navy wrote:I must also one of the oddballs, but the 115HP EFI 4 stroke Mercury pushing my 19 foot 2007 Sea Pro bay boat has been outstanding so far. I almost didn't buy the boat because it wasn't a Yamaha, but no problems so far.

Your 115HP 4 stroke Mercury is a Yamaha. The Verado is the only 4 stroke Mercury has ever built.

Got a 90 and 115 Optimax. First time owning a Merc (Johnson's, Suzuki, and Yami in the past). Had one issue with the 115.....thermostat, but other than that, no problems. No issues at all with the 90. Both start with the turn of the key and are fair on gas and oil.

I have heard nothing but great things about the Yamaha's, but had a 2-stroke and had trouble starting and drank gas. Next boat, whenever that comes, will probably be powered by the 4-stroke Yamaha.

Thanks for the input. Based on what was said here and other research, I'll most likely go with the Yamaha.

If you want to know who builds the best motor look at what the people who make their living on the water have on their boats.On a personal note I've had alot of trouble with mercury's in the past I wouldn't own another one just my experience.

Reel Navy wrote:I must also one of the oddballs, but the 115HP EFI 4 stroke Mercury pushing my 19 foot 2007 Sea Pro bay boat has been outstanding so far. I almost didn't buy the boat because it wasn't a Yamaha, but no problems so far.

Yamaha builds the power heads for that motor. (edit: saw that TC covered that already)

I've had Yamaha and Merc - Yamaha has been much more reliable and durable for salt water.

It's funny becuase in Kentucky on the lakes you see just the opposite on bass boats. More Mercs than Yamahas. Of course they are all about the 2 strokes.

Yammy. Had a 60hp 2stroke for 5yrs and now have a 150hp 4 . Absolutely wonderful motors.

I have a 2002 115 HP (4 stroke) Yamaha on a Scout 177 Sportfish Flats. I have had no problems at all. Great motor - and very economical in regard to fuel.

tin can wrote:

Reel Navy wrote:I must also one of the oddballs, but the 115HP EFI 4 stroke Mercury pushing my 19 foot 2007 Sea Pro bay boat has been outstanding so far. I almost didn't buy the boat because it wasn't a Yamaha, but no problems so far.

Your 115HP 4 stroke Mercury is a Yamaha. The Verado is the only 4 stroke Mercury has ever built.

Thanks TC for confirming that. I had heard that but could never confirm it. I'm even happier I bought my boat now!

To be really honest the 90hp engine from all of the manufacturers are pretty much bullet proof. You want to pick a dealer who will take care of you if you have a problem. All of the engines everyone mentioned run great as long as you take care of them. The 4 strokes will cost you more to keep running in the long haul. The simple engines that are going away are themost bullet proof there are. The Yamaha 90TLR and the Mercury 90ELPTO. The do not burn a lot of fuel and save you around $1000 over their higher tech counterparts.

Do your own reserch by going to a dealer who knows what they are talking about and not end users who love their engines, which is great. There are some great warranty's available now. Price is important but the servicing dealer will make you happy if you do your homework.
CBS

When the Optimax first came out, a bunch of them burned themselves up. A knowledgeable outboard mechanic in Tallahassee told me that there were more service bulletins on Optimax than any other outboard in history. However, I'm sure they've fixed their problems. The FWC officers I've talked to say the FWC has had great success with ETEC. But the word on the street is that Bombardier has ETEC for sale. Hard to go wrong with Yamaha. I think the 4 stroke would require more maintenance.... the crankcase oil is expensive, and every thousand hours an expensive belt to change.... but 1,000 hrs. is a ton of hrs. If you go with a 90.... make certain it's fuel injected, not carb'd. I know you didn't mention it.... but Tohatsu is another Jap engine that's actually becoming a major player. I got their 40 HP TLDI (Tohatsu Low pressure Direct Injection). It is a sweet little two stroke. Pete out at Sunshine has great respect for Tohatsu... it has like a 3 year warranty standard... more Tohatsu outboards in service worldwide than any other outboard. And it's got the computer board engine control card like all the Jap engines. They're all good... except the Optimax.

Rocks and oyster bars don't seem to discriminate!

I have owned Mercury, Johnson and now a Yamaha 225 4 stroke. No comparison - Yamaha. Of course it is my first 4 stroke, that could have something to do with it.

FHC wrote:yamaha 2 stroke 90 is 100 lb lighter

and 100lbs better...you can't kill it I hope not anyway



mine'll probably die tomorrow

Afterburner wrote:If you go with a 90.... make certain it's fuel injected, not carb'd.

Please explain your thought process here. Thanks