Cosumer Reports on Boat Motors??

[jackrabbit]

I want to buy a new boat motor and have gotten some opinions about Honda and Yamaha....that they are really good. I have also heard that Mercury's are good becuase of EFI.....but since I am truly a novice on this subject.... I don't know what motor to buy. I'm looking for a 4-stroke with either 50 or 60HP for a 20 foot pontoon. Does anyone out there know if there is a book about the performance, problem areas for outboard motors? Need some help.....

 

[CAPTBLACKSMARINE]

Re: Cosumer Reports on Boat Motors??

WELL OMC 4 STROKES ARE MADE BY SUZUKI AND MERC 4 STROKES ARE MADE BY YAMAHA,BOTH OF WHICH ARE GOOD ENGINES,HONDA IS ALSO A GOOD ENGINE BUT HAS A SMALLER DEALER NETWORK THEN THE REST.WITH SUZUKI NOT HAVING TO MANY MORE THAN HONDA.THE ONLY DRAW BACK I KNOW OF TO THE HONDA OR THE YAMAHA IS NEITHER OF THEM ARE EFI IN THE HORSEPOWER RANGE YOU MENTIONED.THE ONLY TWO THAT ARE IF I REMEMBER RIGHT IS THE JOHN/EVIN AND THE SUZUKI AND THEY ARE THE SAME ENGINES WITH DIFFERENT COLOR PAINT AND DECALS. BUT ALL IN ALL THEY ARE ALL GOOD RELIABLE ENGINES .SHOP THE LOCAL DEALERS IN YOUR AREA AND BUY THE BRAMD THAT IS CARRIED BY THE DEALER WITH THE BEST SERVICE,AND THIS DOE'S NOT MEAN HE WILL NECESSARILY HAVE THE BEST PRICE BUT SERVICE IS WORTH QUITE A BIT WITH THESE NEW TECHNOLOGY MOTORS.ASK AROUND AND SEE WHAT PEOPLE YOU KNOW THAT HAVE BOATS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE DEALERS IF YOU DO NOT HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THEM . GOOD LUCK

 

[JB]

Re: Cosumer Reports on Boat Motors??

Howdy, Jackrabbit.<br /><br />I agree with what CBM has to say.<br /><br />One addition, though: The new Mercury 60 EFI is made by Mercury, not Yamaha.<br /><br />For your purposes the Johnson/Suzuki 40, 50, 60 and 70 or the Merc 60 are all EFI and excellent engines. I have a Suzuki DF70 EFI and it is a wonderful engine; smooth, quiet, economical and powerful. Starts instantly and idles like a kitten purring.<br /><br />Good luck.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[jsull1]

Re: Cosumer Reports on Boat Motors??

Hi Jackrabbit,<br />How did you make out in your motor search?<br />I'm in the same boat. Looking at the Merc 70<br />but just found out it is not efi.<br />Have you heard of any problems with the carbed motors? I'll probally go down to the<br />Merc 60 which I know is EFI. It's going on a<br />20' pontoon boat.<br />Thanks,<br />John

 

[PaulP]

Re: Cosumer Reports on Boat Motors??

Jackrabbit, I was in the same boat as you,I checked them all out and put a deposit down on a Suzuki. I think they are the most advanced 4 stroke efi out there, however I withdrew my deposit because of concern for lack of factory warranty service and support.<br />I think there is a way to find a back dated post but if you scan back about 7-8 pages approx 1-2 months ago and look for a post from "Steelie" Suzuki warranty Nightmare you can judge for your self. I ended up buying a Merc 60 EFI 4 stroke because of good dealer and factory support and a 5 year warranty.The most important factor should be a dealer you can trust and work with.<br /> Paul

 

[johnk@olg.com]

Re: Cosumer Reports on Boat Motors??

For another resource you might also try Powerboat Reports. This is exactly like a Consumer Reports for power boat owners. They have a web-site www.powerboat-reports.com. They do pretty extensive testing and reporting on outboard motors but I don't recall them testing a 50 or 60 HP. I believe they tested a pair of 70 Suzukis recently. They hang on to the motors and put some hours on them and provide updates on reliability and performance. Its a very good outfit but the on-line reports are not free. I think they are about $10.

 

[steverino]

Re: Cosumer Reports on Boat Motors??

My brother has a pontoon the same size as yours. Let me confirm that you definitely want a four-stroke. Quiet and stink-free is the only way to go. My brother has a 40hp Mercury. I don't think you gain anything by going to higher hp on a small pontoon. I just bought a new Mercury 9.9 four-stroke (Yamaha made in Japan with a cowling and stickers put on in Fond du Lac, WI). The warranty is for three years but has more loopholes than a piece of Swiss cheese. Your results with the warranty may vary. I personally don't think it's worth the paper it's written on. But all outboard warranties are probable worded the same way. There are lots of sales on outboards right now.