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WI, USA
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Posted: 7/24/2019 2:34:00 PM EDT
Looking at boats again - Focused on Outboard powered boats, wide deep V style (90"+ beam), in the 17-19' range. Something I can fish out of, yet still take the kids tubing on the odd occasion that they go with me.
Seem to be a LOT of 4 stroke Yamaha 115hp outboards on boats such as these. Anyone have opinions on these? I don't know anyone with a yamaha outboard at all... I'd really prefer to stick to a Mercury or Honda outboard, and I'm seeing SOME mercs but almost zero Hondas. I only seem to see them on Pontoons. Any others I should be open to? Are the 90's models Johnson/Evinrude good? Parts availability? I had 77 Johnson and parts were still fairly easy to get, but they were simpler back then.... |
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Posted: 7/24/2019 3:53:31 PM EDT
[#1]
Long drive but I have a well maintained 2007 ( I think) Kenner 18 footer with a Merc 90. Stored inside and has a bolt on Bimini top with rocket tubes. Nice GPS. $10k I'd have to go look but I believe it has about 30 hours on it. I have 3 other boats and I'm getting ready to move. Selling out of everything prior to the move. Welder's gone, one generator is gone, MUCH more to go as I just started.
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Posted: 7/24/2019 6:24:01 PM EDT
[#2]
Yamaha's are good motors.
Lots of them and mercs running around here in AK. |
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Posted: 7/24/2019 8:44:57 PM EDT
[Last Edit: JPK]
[#3]
First hand experience with Yamaha, Suzuki and they are excellent.
I hear Honda is gtg. Pass on Mercury. Mine sucks and is a constant pita. |
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Posted: 7/25/2019 6:48:07 AM EDT
[#4]
Originally Posted By eclark53520:
Looking at boats again - Focused on Outboard powered boats, wide deep V style (90"+ beam), in the 17-19' range. Something I can fish out of, yet still take the kids tubing on the odd occasion that they go with me. Seem to be a LOT of 4 stroke Yamaha 115hp outboards on boats such as these. Anyone have opinions on these? I don't know anyone with a yamaha outboard at all... I'd really prefer to stick to a Mercury or Honda outboard, and I'm seeing SOME mercs but almost zero Hondas. I only seem to see them on Pontoons. Any others I should be open to? Are the 90's models Johnson/Evinrude good? Parts availability? I had 77 Johnson and parts were still fairly easy to get, but they were simpler back then.... Stay away from the 90's model Johnson/Evinrudes parts are hard to get. Everyone I talked to that's had Yamaha seems to like them. Honda's are expensive but don't seem to see them in the shop like you do the Mercury's. But then again Mercury's probably out sale them ten to one. |
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VA, USA
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Posted: 7/25/2019 7:00:37 AM EDT
[#5]
I had a Yamaha 70 on my pontoon, it was never an issue.
Re-powered with a Mercury 115 which has also been great. No experience with this, but was told by several people to avoid Suzuki. |
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WI, USA
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Posted: 7/25/2019 9:01:06 AM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ACEB36TC:
Long drive but I have a well maintained 2007 ( I think) Kenner 18 footer with a Merc 90. Stored inside and has a bolt on Bimini top with rocket tubes. Nice GPS. $10k I'd have to go look but I believe it has about 30 hours on it. I have 3 other boats and I'm getting ready to move. Selling out of everything prior to the move. Welder's gone, one generator is gone, MUCH more to go as I just started. ....unless it's free... 
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WI, USA
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Posted: 7/25/2019 9:03:37 AM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By sparkyD: Stay away from the 90's model Johnson/Evinrudes parts are hard to get. Everyone I talked to that's had Yamaha seems to like them. Honda's are expensive but don't seem to see them in the shop like you do the Mercury's. But then again Mercury's probably out sale them ten to one. Sucks that the newer model Johnnyrudes aren't as desireable. I loved that old motor....thing started and ran like a top once I got the grounds cleaned up. It was a bit of a PITA before that though....but that's also the reason I got the entire Ranger boat for $1500. Ended up selling it for $2300 several years later once I got it running without issue. |
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WI, USA
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Posted: 7/25/2019 9:05:38 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By vatopa:
I had a Yamaha 70 on my pontoon, it was never an issue. Re-powered with a Mercury 115 which has also been great. No experience with this, but was told by several people to avoid Suzuki. Seems to be Mercury, Yamaha, distant third is Johnson/Evinrude, then Honda....I can't remember the last time I saw a Suzuki on anything but a jon boat. |
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USA
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Posted: 7/25/2019 9:08:01 AM EDT
[Last Edit: PossumKing]
[#9]
I have a 4-stroke Honda (8 hp
 ) that has been great. With that said, the local boat motor mechanic told me that hondas are good but suck if they do break because parts are far more expensive than others.
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Posted: 7/25/2019 11:02:54 AM EDT
[#10]
As long as you have the Yamaha checked out before you buy it
they are GTG. I don't see too many Yamaha's in my shop, but the ones I see only need regular maintenance and the occasional plugged up carbs from stale ethanol fuel. Stale fuel is not the fault of the engine. |
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Posted: 7/25/2019 11:26:11 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By eclark53520: haha, thanks for the offer! You don't see bay boats or center consoles up here at all, so while that would be real cool to have, I don't think I'm in the market to drive a boat 20+ hours home. ....unless it's free... |
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WI, USA
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Posted: 7/25/2019 2:40:54 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By KB7DX:
As long as you have the Yamaha checked out before you buy it they are GTG. I don't see too many Yamaha's in my shop, but the ones I see only need regular maintenance and the occasional plugged up carbs from stale ethanol fuel. Stale fuel is not the fault of the engine. How much do you think is 'fair' for checking out an outboard? I can pressure check cylinders myself, I plan to test the boat in the water before buying it if at all possible. Guessing they can hook up to a computer and see issues? |
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Posted: 7/25/2019 3:13:20 PM EDT
[#13]
Love the 90 horse yamaha 4 stroke on our pontoon. 7 years old, zero issues. I run ethanol as long as I know the boat isn't going to be sitting for weeks after fueling. occasionally fill with non oxy.
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Posted: 7/25/2019 9:51:17 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By eclark53520: Good to hear. Thanks! How much do you think is 'fair' for checking out an outboard? I can pressure check cylinders myself, I plan to test the boat in the water before buying it if at all possible. Guessing they can hook up to a computer and see issues? we check compression, spark, drain a few drops of gear lube out looking for water or milky lube, check prop shaft for straightness and give it a good look visually. We are looking for leaks, bad/brittle wiring (older Mercs especially) signs of past overheating and if the throttle linkage has been tinkered with. We will also "plug in" to it (if applicable) and read hours or stored codes. Then we will run it on the hose or in a test tank if it's a small outboard. Some outboards require more time if you have to remove components to check compression. |
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Posted: 7/25/2019 10:05:21 PM EDT
[#15]
Look at the boats of fishing guides, you’ll see a lot of Suzuki motors. Freshwater and salt.
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