Do I keep my Yamaha or johnson

River Explorer

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Sep 5, 2016
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Seeing what y'all think. I have a 1984 yamaha 25 2cyl. Came across it in someone's garage and it may have 50-100 hours. Original water impeller had no wear at all. Also have a 1995 johnson 25. Very clean and operates like new. I'm selling one to a friend and I have no idea which one to keep. I have put hours on both and really like both. I'm not worried about common fuel issues I run ethanol free fuel. Both are original prop motors . What do you think?
 

JoLin

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Strictly personal opinion... if parts availability is good for the Johnson, I'd choose it over the Yamaha. Newer 4-stroke Yammies have gained a great rep, but the older ones are not, IMO, as good. Had a '95 Yamaha 85 2-stroke and I didn't like it. Among other niggling problems I had to replace the driveshaft with an upgraded one. The original wasn't stainless and corroded down to nothing. The little Johnsons and Evinrudes have a rep for being bulletproof.

My .02
 

River Explorer

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Which one is easiest to find parts for?

I have access to parts for both motors. I didn't want to open a can of worms. Just didn't know if either motor had a specific problem that people have had. I usually do a 150+mile camping trip on the Arkansas river each year. I know I'm running a older motor.
 

River Explorer

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Strictly personal opinion... if parts availability is good for the Johnson, I'd choose it over the Yamaha. Newer 4-stroke Yammies have gained a great rep, but the older ones are not, IMO, as good. Had a '95 Yamaha 85 2-stroke and I didn't like it. Among other niggling problems I had to replace the driveshaft with an upgraded one. The original wasn't stainless and corroded down to nothing. The little Johnsons and Evinrudes have a rep for being bulletproof.

My .02

Thanks!this is my 4th of that series of yamaha. All were great but I'm really liking the johnson. I had one before this one and it was a champ as well. Just sold my evenrude tiller 40.
 

Sea Rider

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Not an issue running old OB's with few or a lot hours on them, good oil, service, maintenance, good care is all what matters..

Happy Boating
 

Scott Danforth

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with the 1984 yammy being 34 years old, that impeller is 31 years past when it was supposed to be changed.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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as long as you changed it. impellers are not an hour of use thing. its a calendar event regardless if the motor is ever started
 

ondarvr

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The early Yamahas weren't very corrosion resistant, and many were copies of OMC engines.
 

444

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I like yamahas but in this case I would keep the johnson.
 

River Explorer

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Sep 5, 2016
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Thanks I keep going back to the johnson and will more than likely keep it. Fresh water use only but it's a great motor.
 
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