[NH badboy1166]

Ok guys n gals last question .What is the difference between Mercury & Mariner engines?Or are they the same? Like I said im so new to boating so forgive me if I seem stupid .Me & wifey got a maxum boat for free last winter rebuilt it 100% from bottom up & just needs a motor now & we think we found one looks super clean 125 psi on comp test & we are going to buy it but just wasnt sure on the difference.All comments welcome please!!! Thanks allot

[Faztbullet]

That model you have post pictures of is a 100% Mercury made. I asked this question at service school and was told if engine started on first try it got painted black and if not it got grey paint

[NH badboy1166]

Are you serious? lol I'm getting this engine for 1200.00(w/ controls).It sat for 2 years & started in less than 30 seconds .The owner is puting in a new water pump & thermostat before I pick it up.I aint seen a cleaner motor out there .So its definetley a Merc then cant wait to get on the waters ....Any other issues there is to know about this engine? Guy seems real honest so im not to worried but what are common problems?

[Droll]

Originally Posted by NH badboy1166

What is the difference between Mercury & Mariner engines?

Color and decals
+ a slightly different top cowl and front cover .

was told if engine started on first try it got painted black and if not it got grey paint

Arne Kjetil

[Starppy]

If I remember right, Mariner started as a joint venture between Mercury and Yamaha. Yamaha made the smaller engines in the line and Merc made the bigger ones. At some point in the relationship the FTC ruled that the relationship was "anti-competitive" and orderd the joint venture ended. At that point, Mercury bought out Yamaha's share and Mariners became exclusively Mercury made.

Both were made at Mercury's die cast and assembly plants in Fond du Lac WI. My father was an engineer for Mercury and I remember touring the plants when they had an open house. The Mercs and the Mariners were hanging right next to eachother on the assembly line conveyors.

According to my dad, Mercury always considered Yamaha to be it's most feared competitor. When Yamaha would introduce a new model, Mercury would be one of the first to buy one for "evaluation".