Re: Which is a better 4 stroke 50hp engine to buy new??
If you're looking for future resale value and easy access to a huge local dealer network I'd cast my vote for Mercury. Yamaha dealers can be spotty depending where you are located.
Other than some weight issue differences once you get into the EFI models they are all pretty much the same to me. Do the proper maintenance and they will all do the job.
I based my own buying decision on my first sentence and I'm buying a 200 hp Mercury Verado as soon as I find my next bigger boat. I'll pass my 40hp rig down to my kids. Can't see ever selling a good boat and O/B.
Of course, the Etec being in a 2 stroke league is a different animal. Low in maintenance but If I owned one, I would worry that it's so far advanced in it's technology that I'd have concerns with letting local inept tech's working on it. I watch the guys at my local dealer working on o/b's . . . if they need a wrench to fit a bolt head I've seen them pull a pair of pump pliers out of their back pocket and buggy the bolt head up because they are too lazy or knowledgeable to walk back in the shop for the proper wrench.
I'd be nervous letting anyone touch my Etec if I owned one
That 50 HP Yamaha 4 stroke on this thread and pops up on the right side as an ad for a 2009 at $4300 (maybe no tax) with power tilt and trim and a 20 inch shaft looks sweeeet too! I found it's about $1000 for each 10HP. But you can save even more if you buy a package deal or a left over o/b when the boat shows come around in a few months.