New Portable Two Stroke?

[Skook]

Presently, I have a circa 1989 Suzuki DT15c at the shop being looked at. I bought this boat/motor back in the spring, and the motor is very hard to start and runs a little rough. I'm hoping that it just needs a good carb cleaning and a tune-up.

In the event that this motor is not worth fixing, what are your opinions of replacing it with a new Yamaha 2 stroke 15 hp? I see that they are being discontinued, and I've seen them advertised at around $1,900 brand new.

I usually remove the motor from the boat and store it in my basement. The Suzuki DT15c (two-stroke) is about as much weight as I want to carry in and out of my basement. I believe any new four-stroke is probably going to be at least 20 to 30 pounds heavier.

Would you feel comfortable buying a new two-stroke that is being discontinued in the U.S. market? What about future parts supply? How about potential new gov't regs that may limit the use of 2-strokes? Anything else to be concerned with?

Thanks.

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: New Portable Two Stroke?

Parts availability isn't a problem for us OMC folks running 20-30 yr old two strokes - I doubt it will be for the Yamaha.

I don't believe any of the anti two stroke fanaticism. If you don't have any two stroke restricted lakes now, you're unlikely to encounter too many of them in the future. Those Yamaha's are great motors and if i was in the market, I'd jump on one. I wouldn't run in on the recommended 100:1 mix though.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: New Portable Two Stroke?

In the event that this motor is not worth fixing, what are your opinions of replacing it with a new Yamaha 2 stroke 15 hp? I see that they are being discontinued, and I've seen them advertised at around $1,900 brand new.

Where? Sounds like a great deal to me.

 

[Skook]

Re: New Portable Two Stroke?

Where? Sounds like a great deal to me.

As of yesterday (12/1/2009), there were several listed on ebay by Fairwinds Marina for something like $1,895 + tax - NIB. Pick-up only in Annapolis, Maryland.

 

[steelespike]

Re: New Portable Two Stroke?

What year new in box?Warrantee?
Don't know if this will mean much but the Mariner 9.9/15 is related to the Yamaha
9.9/15. 15 cubes 79-88 maybe more. Of course Mariner parts can be hard to find all ready.Also if you need a servicing dealer is there on close by?
For parts and service I would lean toward a nice low hours E/J 15.

 

[Skook]

Re: New Portable Two Stroke?

What year new in box?Warrantee?
Don't know if this will mean much but the Mariner 9.9/15 is related to the Yamaha
9.9/15. 15 cubes 79-88 maybe more. Of course Mariner parts can be hard to find all ready.Also if you need a servicing dealer is there on close by?
For parts and service I would lean toward a nice low hours E/J 15.

After seeing their listing on ebay, I checked out Fairwinds Marina's website. They look like a legit outfit located in Annapolis, Maryland. Without re-checking, these were new 2009 Yamahas with a full factory warranty.

There seems to be no lack of Yamaha dealers in my vacinity. I'm new to boating and motors, but it seems like many of the local marine shops in my area (most all marine shops are at least an hour's drive for me) sell and service Yamaha motors.

If the time comes, I would likely shop locally first, and maybe try to use the $1,900 price as a negotiating tool, recognizing that local service is worth something too.

My hope is that the DT15c can be rehabbed into reasonable condition for not a lot of money. I still haven't heard back from the Suzuki dealer where I have it. By the looks of their website, they do a lot of hunting, and it's hunting season. Can't blame them, I guess. If not, I may be somewhat concerned about buying another used motor after getting burned on my first experience, unless I knew the person and history of the motor much better the second time around.

The Suzuki seems to run ok once it's started and opened up a bit. I had my 14 ft. Alumacraft V-14 going almost 19 mph (GPS) against a very stiff wind with two good-sized men and our fishing gear (e.g. two batteries, two anchors, bait bucket, etc.) in the boat.

 

[Skook]

Re: New Portable Two Stroke?

I just went back onto ebay, and these motors are no longer listed. I wonder if it was a mistake or whether they got grief for advertising them so cheaply.

I'm tempted to call them and ask whether they are available, but because I am not a sincere buyer at this point, I don't want to waste their time.

Maybe they sold out at that price. The lowest I've seen them elsewhere is $2,275 (Ed's Marine Superstore, or something like that, in Virginia).