Yamaha/ Suzuki/ Johnson??

[surftodd]

I am looking to purchase a brand new (this year or later model 2001-2002 ) outboard. Looking for 175 HP- 200 HP.... Someone told be about the johnson carburated 60 degree to be a great engine...I am not worried about speed...mainly reliability.... Any sugeestions about which manufacturer puts out the best model in this range?? Captainsurftodd@yahoo.com

 

[JB]

Re: Yamaha/ Suzuki/ Johnson??

Howdy, Surftodd.<br /><br />I don't think you could go wrong with the Yamaha HPDI.<br /><br />While I would expect the Bombardier-made Johnny to be reliable, carbs make smoke, use more fuel and may be harder to sell in the future. On the other hand you would have to look hard to get more horses per buck.<br /><br />The big Suzi 2 strokes are fine engines, but Suzi has announced that they will no longer build 2 strokes after introduction of their new line of big 4 strokes. For that reason I think I would avoid a big Suzi 2 stroke.<br /><br />Just one OF's opinions.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[surftodd]

Re: Yamaha/ Suzuki/ Johnson??

I have just done about three hours of research on these three companies....I am still confused...When is suzuki comming out with their new line... I think I want to stick with a V6 carb engine..... I will wait for the local boat show to come this way next month....Maybe I can get lucky with them...

 

[CKJR]

Re: Yamaha/ Suzuki/ Johnson??

Surftodd, I was in the same boat (no pun intended) I did alot of research on 150 to 200 hps from the carbed johnson to the hpdi yammies. i agree that the newer technology is better on fuel and doesnt smoke as much hovever after weighing my options I went with the 175 johnsons. there is a 4 year non declining warranty on these motors in liew of the 700 rebate. good luck

 

[Forktail]

Re: Yamaha/ Suzuki/ Johnson??

I see reliability is your main concern. Is initial cost a deciding factor as well? Why go with carbs or take a chance on HPDI when you can go 4-stroke? And why wait for Suzuki's new big 4-strokes when Honda and Yamaha already make a proven 200 4-stroke. They are sweet.

 

[surftodd]

Re: Yamaha/ Suzuki/ Johnson??

Thanks for the advice.... I spent the afternoon at two local dealers and am still stuck between the 175 johnson and the 175 yamaha... the price difference makes the johnson look better(3000 less), but they told me about the advantages of the fuel injection... the 97 johnson that I am trying to get rid of now is a 130 and seemed to guzzle gas at the rate of 6 gals/30 of crusing... I am sure that I will save the difference in gas prices over the next two years alone.... I am still up in the air.. but the yamaha HPDI is looking o.k.... I just need to scrounge up a couple of more bucks..

 

[CKJR]

Re: Yamaha/ Suzuki/ Johnson??

surftodd, you have to also consider the rigging charges from a johnson to yamaha (wiring harnesses, gauges etc). this might add $1000 to $2000. if you stay with the johnson, most likely the harneses and controls are the same

 

[Boatist]

Re: Yamaha/ Suzuki/ Johnson??

Surftodd<br />I guess I would ask how long you intend to keep this new motor first. Second I would ask if you still drive a car with a carb.<br /><br />For me I would pay the extra and get HPDI or EFI for sure and also go with a 4 cycle. Fuel mileage alone will pay the difference in a few years. When get to your waterway just turn the key and back it off the trailer. No messing with priming or chokes just go.<br /><br />Here in California now several lakes where you can not use a 2 Stroke several more where you can not use a Carberated 2 stroke. This trend I know will spread here in California. How willing are you to risk that it does not spread to your favorite Fishing hole in New York? Last is it is better for the enviroment, as water ways get more and more traffic can make a big different. The new 4 Stroke are great and Quite too. Lake Tahoe so much nicer with out all the noisy PWC.<br />As far as brands I would go with Mercury or Yamaha. 15 years ago if you walked by all the party boats and Commerical fishing fleet you saw about 60 percent Johnson/Evinrude and 40 pecent Mercury in the outboards. Today it is 60 percent Yamaha out here in the west. I ask several that I fished with why they changed. Answer was less down time and runs better and burns less fuel.<br /><br />I hope after you go to that boat show you will report back. I have been doing kind of a study to see which brands are being sold. Boat show I went to last week about 60 percent of boats rig with Mecury, 30 percent Yamaha, and 5 Percent Honda. I saw one 50 HP Johnson no Evinrudes or Suzuki. Guy buying a boat up at the Seattle boat show I ask what he saw and he reported all Mercury outboards but I am not sure he was checking. I would really like to know what you see out east. I feel that if lots of one brand outboard are sold and very few of another then 10 or 20 years down the road better chance of finding parts for the popular brand.<br />Just my opinion.<br />Good luck and enjoy the show but please let me know what outboards you see.