15hp four stroke: Mercury vs Nissan ??

[surfstar]

Hi guys. I'm totally new here and to boating. I'm buying an 11'2" Mercury inflatable and need a 15hp motor. I'm in CA so I'm going with a four-stroke. <br /> I've narrowed it down to a Mercury and a Nissan. I need input as to which might be better, or why I should choose one over the other. Both have 3 year warranties, service nearby, and are closely priced. The Merc weighs in a 111 lbs and the Nissan 114.4. The main difference I can tell is that the Merc is Electronic Fuel Injected vs the CD Injection on the Nissan. 1) Is there any good/bad difference between the injections?<br /> The Nissan also comes with an oil pressure indicator. Displacement is near identical. The Merc has a 7-function tiller handle, which to me seems more complicated than convinient. The Nissan also has 500 more RPMs up top, and a stainless steel water pump housing.<br /> Any and all help appreciated. Here's the websites for the info on them:<br /> http://www.mercurymarine.com/mercury_15_fourstroke <br /><br /> http://www.nissanmarine.com/products/15_4_specs.html <br /> <br /> Thanks a bunch,<br /><br />Matt

 

[streadway]

Re: 15hp four stroke: Mercury vs Nissan ??

I BOUGHT THE MERC THE OTHER DAY AND LOVE IT.THERE IS NOTHING SPECIAL ABOUT THE TILLER HANDLE.IT WORKS THE SAME AS MOST OUTBOARDS.AND BOTH MOTORS ARE CARB MOTORS,NEITHER OF THEM ARE FUEL INJECTED. TOHATSU MAKES NISSAN (GOOD MOTORS)IT CAME DOWN TO DEALER SUPPORT.I WAS LOOKING AT THE NISSAN ALSO.THE MERC HAS A CHARGING COIL EVEN ON THE MANUAL START MODELS,OPTIONAL ON NISSAN.THE MERC IS A GREAT MOTOR GOOD GAS MILAGE,QUIET.PARTS ARE EASIER TO GET FOR THE MERCS.IT ALL CAME DOWN TO DEALER SUPPORT ON My CHOICE.

 

[surfstar]

Re: 15hp four stroke: Mercury vs Nissan ??

you're right the Merc 15hp isn't EFI, but it says CDI with electric spark advance for ignition. <br /> does anyone know which company has better past reliability with smaller four-strokes?

 

[Forktail]

Re: 15hp four stroke: Mercury vs Nissan ??

Yamaha makes Mercury's 15 hp 4-stroke. They are identical outboards. IMO Yamaha and reliability go hand in hand. <br /><br />I have the Yamaha version of this 15. My only complaint is that it's cold-blooded, but I'm not in California.

 

[Columbia]

Re: 15hp four stroke: Mercury vs Nissan ??

Latest issue of Cruising World has comparison article on several 15 hp engines, two and four stroke.

 

[josip_voyager]

Re: 15hp four stroke: Mercury vs Nissan ??

Mercury is taking their four strokes from Yamaha (which is good), Nissan and Tohatsu are the same company and they have very durable outboards (take a look at the number of problems with Nissan/Tohatsu outboards and you'll get clear picture).<br />In your place, I would consider buying new Honda BF 20 (or BF 15). This is the most compact (45 Kg weight = 99.2 lbs), best fuel economy (BF20 3 to 5 liter pro hour= 0.8 to 1.32 gallons pro hour), CARB three star, and this is the quietest engine I've ever run. No smoke and no vibration. Honda build four strokes outboards from 1969 (for example Suzuki started in 1998 with four strokes), and is definitely the name #1 among other four strokes manufactures.

 

[josip_voyager]

Re: 15hp four stroke: Mercury vs Nissan ??

I've almost forgotten. I also have Mercury inflatable (in Europe Mercury sells theit inflatable under brand name Quicksilver), precisely Mercury Heavy Duty 380. With Honda BF 20 I can reach 25 miles pro hour. This combination works perfectly.