Best 150hp outboard?

[tjc45]

I own a 1999 Boston Whaler Dauntless currently powered by a 150hp Evinrude Ficht. The motor may need a lower unit and I'm thinking it might be better to end the Ficht experience. I bought this engine as a lamb being led to slaughter. I knew nothing about outboards. To not repeat history, my education on what's happening in the world of outboards currently starts today. What brands are good, which are trouble. 2 stroke vs 4 stroke? <br />The boat is used primarily as a platform for wake boarding, skiing and tubing. In other words, I need hole shot. <br />Please, no brand bashing, just share what you know. If you were going to buy a new motor today, what would you buy and why? Thanks

 

[timmathis]

Re: Best 150hp outboard?

Mercury. They have been good to me.<br />Tim

 

[Don Colbacchini]

Re: Best 150hp outboard?

My friend has two yamaha 150 HPDIs which have been trouble free for three years now. They start and run like a dream. Quiet and fuel efficient too.

 

[tommays]

Re: Best 150hp outboard?

dont own any big outboards but in a strange twist of fate the now about 3 years old BRP E-TEK Evinrudes have a good rep<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[05GlastronSX]

Re: Best 150hp outboard?

ive got a 2005 mercury 150 xr6(carbed 2 stroke) and so far everythings been great. it has about 80 hours on it now and no problems. always starts and runs great too. you gotta love the grunt of the 2.5 liter v-6 mercs..it sounds incredible. as for other 150s, i personally like the looks of the yamaha HDPI's and from what i hear they are a pretty good motor as well.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Best 150hp outboard?

about the best left is the carbed 150 yamaha. its an incredibly simple motor that with minimal maint will last and last. it has no expensive filters or sensors to fail. it takes a standard everyday spark plug at less than 4 dollars a pop.<br /> they are a work horse.

 

[JB]

Re: Best 150hp outboard?

Yammy F150 4 stroke.

 

[PAkev]

Re: Best 150hp outboard?

I've also got the Yammie F150 4 stroke. <br />Trouble free for the two years I've had it and it sips gas.

 

[T. MELTON]

Re: Best 150hp outboard?

I have a 94' Johnson Fast Stike 150 that has been pretty darn reliable. And is very torquey. In all the time I've had it I have only replaced the optic sensor and the power pack was replaced due to mis-diagnosing the optic sensor. But, I am sure that any of the big names on the water will be fine. AS LONG AS YOU STICK TO YOUR MAINTENENCE !

 

[Hawaiian]

Re: Best 150hp outboard?

tomcotter, what model Whaler do you own? My new Boston Whaler 190 Nantucket/Outrage has a Honda BF135 which is basically the same motor as the BF150 minus the Vtec. I am very pleased with its performance, smoooth operation, quietness and fuel economy. Either a Honda BF150 or Yamaha F150 would be the choice for me.

 

[tjc45]

Re: Best 150hp outboard?

Originally posted by Perry:<br /> tomcotter, what model Whaler do you own? My new Boston Whaler 190 Nantucket/Outrage has a Honda BF135 which is basically the same motor as the BF150 minus the Vtec. I am very pleased with its performance, smoooth operation, quietness and fuel economy. Either a Honda BF150 or Yamaha F150 would be the choice for me.

99 Dauntless 18. Had big problems with the boat too. This model was the first boat produced by Whaler after the EPA forced them to redesign their fuel systems. The system was so poorly designed that I couldn't get gas into the tank. I was banned from my fuel dock. Whaler came up with a fix and took the boat back to Edgewater FL and kept it for five months until they got around to installing the new fuel system. Not much better than the original. Boat tank only fills 3/4 and has to be be filled very slowly to avoid gas coughing up all over the place. Several trips back to the dealer for more fixes have not helped. Now I only go to the fuel dock on weekdays and carefully put gas in the boat. New Dauntless Whalers have a completely different fuel system than what is on my boat. It sucks, but according to Whaler my boat is fixed and I'm a satisfied customer. I won't buy another Whaler. Now the motor!

 

[Ron G]

Re: Best 150hp outboard?

I have a buddy with with 94 yammy been on 3 boats not a problem at all out of it,i have jonson only had it a year so far trouble free.