Repower

[5150abf]

Been along time since I have checked in but I have a conundrum and figured this would be the best place to get an answer.

Went fishing on Kentucky lake with the wife last weekend, made it 3 miles from the marina and my lower let go,
day one of a 3 day weekend so pretty awesome.

I was running an 81 Evinrude 50, love the motor but being 38 years old I think it is time for a repower.

The boat is a 16' Aluminum bass style boat rated for 70 horse but only want another 50.

The conundrum, Yamaha or Mercury?

Looked up reviews and have found a lot of bad things on both but no one is going to post out of the blue how much they love their motor and they have never had any issues with it, way more likely to post problems which is what the Google finds.
.
Not intending to start a Harley - Honda battle, just looking for honest real world opinions that might help me decide.

I work for a boat company,, way easier and a bit cheaper to get a Merc than a Yamaha, company not affiliated with either.

My main concern, is a Merc as reliable as a Yamaha?

 

[alldodge]

I'll add some questions for thought:
If the motor has problems is there a dealer nearby to work on it?
Which has a better chance of finding someone to work on it?
Any differences in cost for parts?

Another item weight:
A 2 cycle motor weights less then 4 cycle, and therefore it takes more HP to do the same speed. Also with added weight the boat can taken on water easier due to stern being lower

 

[5150abf]

Several of both very close, I am in extreme northern Indiana.

Both Merc and Yammy are 50lbs heavier than my engine now so shouldn't be a huge difference.

And you kinda hit on my point, I don't; want to have to have it worked on.

I would hope I could get at least several years out of it before it ever had any issue.

I river fish for catfish, normal trip is 15-20 minutes full throttle then run between spots back the ramp.

I am not a bass guy that screams everywhere 70 mph and puts on 50 miles every trip, I may go 6 miles out and 6 miles back, speed is almost irrelevant..

I do fish down current though so reliability is king, trolling up stream is a drag.

Old motor would pull 28ish which was fine with me.

 

[NYBo]

Another Johnnyrude would be cheaper since you can use your current controls. Is that out of the question?

 

[Sea Rider]

Plan repowering with same 50 HP in 2 or 4 strokes versions ? If content with old horse why don't you go a for a full overhaul which is cheaper than going for a new horse, it's just an idea. Check compression, depending on psi readings will know what thas to be done. If going for such near outings is it worth the investment on a new one.

Happy Boating

 

[5150abf]

Power head is perfect, 145-145 cold, starts fine and idles, just striped and repainted it last year, it looks sweet..

When I got home I did an autopsy and the pinion gear broke in half, no shards and the gear case stopped turning immediately.so forward/reverse are pristine.

I am waiting to hear prices, depending on that I may opt for new lower but again the engine is 37 years old and bound for a catastrophic failure, I just feel like I am on borrowed time with it.

I love the boat itself, stripped it to the keel 5-7 years ago and rebuilt it exactly like I want, have a camper top, 400 watt stereo, all storage bays and live well lit, on and on, just need it ot be reliable,

Brass tacks I don't trust the engine anymore.

Did I mention I can get the new motor for cost.so it is still a lot but no even close to retail.

 

[alldodge]

Did I mention I can get the new motor for cost.so it is still a lot but no even close to retail.

Wonder if there is friends and family maybe

 

[ahicks]

Sounds like you can do your own work. From that perspective the older (carbed) stuff is generally much easier to work on, and does not require a laptop to diagnose.

Blowing a pinion like that is a freak accident. You don't hear much about mechanical issues on those older 50's. People do wear them right out - but you've eliminated that possibility with compression readings like you have. Still, the 50's are popular, and plentiful on the used market. If I lost faith in the one I had, I'd just get a newer one. That's likely your most reasonable bet. Then go right through it. Do the water pump, lower seals, carb kits, plugs, t-stat, and then go run the hell out of it - for many years!

After that, I'm partial to the older 40 - 50hp Honda's, for the reasons mentioned above (easy to work on). They have an outstanding reputation as well (in fresh water).....

 

[5150abf]

Probably not going to put anymore money in the old gal, she has been really good to me but like I said I feel like it is going to grenade eventually.

Rebuilt lower is 1200-1500, can't see putting that much into a 37 year old motor.

Original question__Is Mercury as reliable as Yamaha of coarse under normal condition with proper maintenance ect ect

 

[82rude]

Are you looking for new or used?nothing wrong with a new 50 or 60 merc.Used how about a mid 90,s Yamaha 60 or 70hp.Outstanding motors (2 stroke).The 60 hp Yamaha pro series 2 stroke is a world beater.My brother had one and it did more work than any 10 other motors building a camp and she is still happily running along serving a second owner who is very happy with it.

 

[briangcc]

My uncle, back in the 80's/90's, had a Merc on his Sylvan side console for a season. Had it swapped out for what I recall a Yammie (although it could have been a Rude). Personally, I had a '99 Force (made by Mercury Marine) for all of a season and swapped it to a Honda 115. IF I had an outboard powered boat I'd be in this order of power (personal preference):

Honda
Evinrude
Yamaha


Merc dealers are plentiful - throw a stone and you're bound to hit one. It's the one of the reasons I run a Merc instead of a Volvo (price of parts being another strong determining factor). Although I still prefer the Volvo as the drives are velvet smooth.


Currently, my cousin and a different uncle both run 70 Yamaha's on their Sylvans. I haven't heard any complaints or major repairs on either of them and that's easily over 15 years of ownership.

 

[ahicks]

Probably not going to put anymore money in the old gal, she has been really good to me but like I said I feel like it is going to grenade eventually.

Rebuilt lower is 1200-1500, can't see putting that much into a 37 year old motor.

Original question__Is Mercury as reliable as Yamaha of coarse under normal condition with proper maintenance ect ect

In some cases, the 4 stroke Mercs use Yamaha powerheads. Then again, the Honda's were using Merc lower units for a while.

Point being, all else being equal, I doubt you're going to see a lot of difference between Merc and Yamaha. Pick the color you like best and go for it. Going strictly on personal preference would have me going Yamaha given the choice.

 

[444]

Why not find a used lower and slap it on? My 1978 merc 175hp had a bad lower, a rebuild was going to cost me too much in parts as the pinion gears had chipped a tooth and the debris did some other damage. So I found a good used lower for 450 on ebay from a marine wrecker. Been running it like that for years. Surely a 50hp johnnyrude lower would have to go for less than what I paid.

I guess I just like to make old two strokes work, my other outboard is from 1955, I have saws from 1960 and 1976, sleds from 1978 and 1986. I take them apart, regasket them, reseal the crank case, new crank seals and carb kits and go through the ignition and they run like new. Unless money is burning a hole in your pocket and you need something new and shiney I couldn't imagine giving away a good running 50hp engine, and with a shot lower you will have to basically give it away.

If I was to buy new, it would be Honda all the way.

 

[5150abf]

This will be a new in the box 4 stroke motor, hell I may unload it myself.

Every time I go out I am waiting for the power head on my current motor to grenade, it may not happen for 10 ,more years but I don't; want to own it when it does

It has to have thousands of hours on it and the powerhead has \never been touched, still has original paint on the head gasket.

Even with the best care, rods, rings ect only have so much life in them.

Still waiting to hear back from Yamaha as to whether they will even sell us the motor so may not have a choice..

We are a new company that is predominantly Merc, only put 5-6 Yammys on the boats so far so we aren't real established with them. yet.

 

[5150abf]

Looks like I am going black.

Yamaha guy got back last night and said they don't make a longshaft 50, sounds kind of odd that they wouldn't but anyhow.

I am sure they are comparable and the mercury rep is in the plant all the time so if it does have issues I can burn him up on it.

Thanks for the input fellas

 

[82rude]

So your going merc?Good luck ,you will be happy I'm sure.I came within a hair of buying a 60 merc but instead went with a 60hp etec evinrude.Fantastic trouble free motor for 7 years .

 

[5150abf]

Turns out no one makes a 25'' 50 4 stroke so looks like I am trimming my transom and I am back to a Yammy...maybe.

Engineer at work said I should be good only trimming 2'', I run a 6'' setback to which helps.

He is pricing both tomorrow, if the Merc is enough less I may go with it but have always dreamed of having a Yammy.

So far we haven't done anything with BRP, not sure why.