Yamaha Sterndrive

[mpventers]

I'm in the process of buying a 93 Chaparral 205 with a 4.3 L V6 Yamaha engine. I cant find much information on that particular engine but i understand they work well. I know they were produced from 1989 to 1993. Are they good engines? It seems to be in excellent condition but I'm worried about repair work since it is out of production.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Yamaha Sterndrive

Actually they are the same GM based engine used by Merc and Omc..
Parts are easy to get usually...
A 4.3 is a 4.3.....GM all the way!

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Yamaha Sterndrive

I think I would talk to a dealer that sold and worked on them,and see how parts availability is.Yes,engine parts are readily gotten.What about shift cables,and gears in the drive,etc.?

DHP

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Yamaha Sterndrive

I'd be leary of buying a boat that did not have a Merc. or VP drive....
My .02........

Welcome to iboats, btw..........​

 

[Bondo]

Re: Yamaha Sterndrive

Ayuh,............

If you haven't written the Check Yet,........... The Best Thing you could Possibley do is RUN..........

Yamaha Outdrives are even Worse than the old OMC Stringers to get Parts for............
OMC went Out of Business,+ Yamaha lost the Law Suit,+ Does Not offer Any factory Support...........
With the Super Small market share,.... Nobody is offering Aftermarket Parts Either.........

You're setting yourself up for Major Disappointments................

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Yamaha Sterndrive

I have a Yamaha, that exact same engine in fact, with a Yamaha outdrive. I really like it and it has been reliable (until the block froze this winter). I have not had a problem getting parts, what I have had a harder time with is finding a mechanic that is willing to work on a Yamaha stern drive (I had one laugh when I told him what the engine was). Capt Ken, who frequents here, can get you parts, but for the most part, they aren't all that hard to come by.

 

[DRuble]

Re: Yamaha Sterndrive

Horror Story

Purchased a 1994 Harris/Kayot three weeks ago at a price well below NADA, this is my 1st boat. Ran it on a test cruise before buying ran great no problems. Towed to a lake about 2 hours away where it will be kept, put it in the water and went out for some fun. In less than 40 minutes had a head gasket blow and put a half finger sized groove between the cylinders and head. It's off to the machine shop for a very expensive rebuild. Now I hear all the negatives and part issues with the Yamaha stern drive. No problems so with the drive but hell it has only been in the water twice. I googled this boat from the start and found nothing negative.

Things could be worse, I guess..................