outboard input

[Cricket]

Hi Folks,

I am soon going to purchase a new outboard for my club's 13' Whaler, and would like any input from experienced boaters on the new models (the boat originally had a 40hp Merc, but was overpowered for our needs). I've looked around a bit, have gotten some prices etc. In my area, Brooklyn NY, Mercury dealers seem to proliferate. I've gotten negative feedback from some folks on Mercs, but don't know how well founded this is. I found an Evinrude guy close by, and I have to admit the new fuel injected E-Tec 25 or 30 looks pretty appealing from a weight standpoint. The E-Tecs are 2 stroke, fuel injected. The 30hp manual tilt/trim 20" shaft is a good 25 to 30 lbs lighter than a comparable Yamaha 4 stroke. The Yamaha dealer said that I would get as good or better performance from the lighter 20 hp than from the 25. I am concerned of course about environmental issues, and there seems to be some confusion about the new regs as of 2010. I haven't talked to a Honda guy yet.

We use the boat as a safety/yard skiff/regatta RC boat. Don't need a high top end speed, but do want to plane with 3 aboard! Any help or opinions would be appreciated.

Jim Luton

Sailing Co-Chair

Sebago Canoe Club

[cdunc]

I read recently that all Mercury outboards under 40hp are actually built by Tohatsu.  Anyone else heard that?

Here is a link to what I read.  http://www.onlineoutboards.com/Help.html?Question=Nissan-vs-Tohatsu

Craig

[Cricket]

Thanks for the replies. A local dealer has the E-Tec in stock right now, and I've gotten a quote from him. I'm expecting a fax soon from a Honda guy out on LI, and I'll compare specs and weights. The E-Tec is listed at 156 lb for the manual tilt/trim, 20" shaft. The Honda is 178 I think. I'll see what the quote from Honda is. The Evinrude is running a little less than 5k installed, with new controls.

I wish I was powering a new Ocracoke 20, or Simmons Sea Skiff, but its a '79 Whaler, alas. Still a good boat though.

Jim

[Peter HK]

FWIW I had an ETEC 90 a few years ago.

Lighter, equivalent fuel efficiency, better charging than similar sized 4 strokes. They say as good or better environmentally.

The 2 stroke provides its power a little more quickly- up on the plane sooner.

It was a bit noisier though than the 4 strokes.

Cheers

Peter HK

[Tom Lathrop]

Why the negative notes on Mercury.  Lots of people really like them.  Hope this is not just hearsay gossip.  I know of some that have served long and well.

[Konrad]

Well I've only owned one Merc outboard, so take that into account here...  I've loved mine for the last 8 years.  

Now granted, it's a little baby 3.3 hp, and my total running time on it since new is probably a whopping 10 hours total.

(I only use it to get in and out of the marina).  But it starts on the second pull every spring, and it pushes my Vaca with authority, so I have no complaints.  

[wkisting]

We have a little Merc 3.5hp that we love also. No issues so far except for carb-gumming from stale fuel, which was my own fault. Starts on the first or second pull every time. But I have heard people warn about the poor quality of larger Merc motors. Not sure if it is true. The small Mercs are made by Tohatsu, and have given no trouble to us.

[MikeStevenson]

We used to really like the 4.5 hp. Merc we had in the '80's, but I would only get a Honda nowadays. We've used a few of them in various projects and they've been flawless and really nice overall (quiet, well-behaved, good machines.) We buried a Honda 5hp in the Hydroflier experiment and it never faltered, even in fairly odd conditions (the 3' horizontal prop shaft extension being one...) and ran quite cool temps.

Mike

[PAR]

All outboards have manufacture and model specific issues, without exception. Mercury isn't any worse then others. I know people have been talking about Honda being "the one" but frankly, they have their issues too. I have several Hondas show up for the same reasons each year, so they're not immune either. In fact, their are a few models and years of Honda, I wouldn't touch with a stick, you literally couldn't give one of these to me. On the other hand, I can say the same about any other manufacture too.

[Bud_Wilson]

My two cents worth. Over the years I have had a lot of outboard motors. I have five sitting in my boat shed as we chat. My thought is get one  that you can get worked on in your area. They all break sometimes and if you can't get parts it is a hassle. I like the Johnson - Evenrude mayber becaused I was raised with one and we had a shop that sold them about 200 yds. from the slip. I like the 4hp. johnsons I have because the gas tank is not on the motor top. My Bay Hen has a well and the Motors  I have with gas tank ontop make me get the tiller up higher than I like. Old men are cranky like that. Bud

[Tom Lathrop]

Took my Yamaha 50 in to the local dealer for repair yesterday.  Fuel issue.  It has four carburetors and takes a magician to tune it.  I cringe when I think about what the bill will be.  Lots of Hondas and Yamahas were in for repair in various states of failure.  My old 1980 Evinrude 25 just keeps on working and starts right up every time the key is turned.  My 8hp Yamaha runs fine but the mount is so frozen with corrosion that it can't be steered.  Hasn't been used for 5 years because I can't find any replacement parts.  Based on what I see now, I would look hard at the Evinrude Etecs for a new motor.  I would consider Suzuki over Honda or Yamaha.  Suzuki tends to rate their motors more conservatively than the others although there is usually a weight penalty.

Reputation of your local dealer is a big factor.

[sscoville]

The one thing I've found about outboards is, the more you use it, the better it'll work.  Don't use it, you'll have issues.  There's obviously more to it than this and I think it's true of any engine that if you don't run it with some regularity, you'll have trouble.

[Konrad]

My two cents worth. Over the years I have had a lot of outboard motors. I have five sitting in my boat shed as we chat. My thought is get one  that you can get worked on in your area. They all break sometimes and if you can't get parts it is a hassle.  Bud

That right there is probably the best post in this thread. 

[Cricket]

Hi folks,

Thanks to everyone for your input. There is a lot of experience out there to draw from. I took a trip out to the dealer this weekend. They sell Evinrude/Johnson and Honda. After talking with him a bit, I decided to go with a 30hp Honda. The E-tec is still appealing, but he thought that the Honda might hold up better over the long haul with the amount of slow speed operation that we will encounter, coaching sailing, regattas, accompanying kayakers, etc. Their yard skiff is a 15' whaler with a beat up Honda 50, still going strong.

I think it is very true that all of them have issues. I've read of several Honda problems of various sorts on some other forums. You makes your choice and takes your chances. There are a few dealers a little closer in, but this one was recommended by a mechanic I trust. Its still only about 30 min. away from my club. Anywhere you have to go in NYC with a trailer is a pain. I hope to have the unit installed next week. I'll report back when I launch.

thanks again!

Jim

[wkisting]

Sounds like a good choice based on exactly the right kind of (practical) logic. Thanks for keeping us posted on your decision. Hope the Honda works out well for you. (I'm sure it will.)