115 merc or yammy?

[mic4fish]

I posted this question over at boat tech going to try it here as to maybe get more responce. I am looking to upgrade my big motor which is a 50 to a 115, my question is should I go with a merc or a yamaha? From what I understand the mercs have the same powerhead as a yamaha. I seem to be finding better deals on the mercs, so does it matter wich one I should buy? I have heard good thing about the 115 yamaha not much feedback about the mercury. My motor now is 50 4-stroke mercury and have had good luck with it I just need more power! :help: Oh btw my boat is a 179 hews and is rated up to a 125.
Thanks Mike

[StickFish]

Which would look better - both have the same power head. I biased towards Yamaha cause that's what I've got on my boat, but they are both great motors. Lots on here are also real hot on Suzuki as far as value goes. I see lots of them on the river as well.

[mic4fish]

I have always heard that suzuki is kind of bottom of the barrel but I think they have come a long ways since then like you say I see a lot of them on the river and the T-jet and duckworth feature them on there boats.

[foxer]

I have always heard that suzuki is kind of bottom of the barrel but I think they have come a long ways since then like you say I see a lot of them on the river and the T-jet and duckworth feature them on there boats.



Bottom of the barrel? I guess thats why they have some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings. Suzuki's are hugely popular on the east coast where they have a larger dealer network. West coast has been Mercury Mercury Mercury for so long with Yamaha making in roads several years ago. Compare specs, pricing and warranty of all three then make your decision. Mercury uses Yamaha powerhead, everything else is theirs. Dont think you could go wrong with either. I would buy the cheapest I could find from a reputable dealer.

[mic4fish]

Dont get me wrong that quote about them being bottom of the barrel was from a reptable shop that sees a lot of those motors in his shop for repairs but that was over 4 years ago and like I said they have come a long ways especialy with there 4-stroke technology

[MacEFL]

I have a Merc 115 4 stroke on my boat and I love it. It has NEVER failed me in the three years I have had it. (new)

[Wreckless]

Yamaha

[Seefood Man]

Let me save you a bunch of headaches. Both are very good motors Merc and Yahama, however, I run Mercs and I bought mine from Steven's Marine in Milwaukie. It's not only the motor it's the great service after the sale.


1-800-576-7371
milwaukie@stevensmarine.com

[mic4fish]

Thanks for all the help! :yay:

[Smily]

I got a 70 hp Suzuki on my 17' Hewes craft Searunner and had been very happy with it. I few more pony's would be nice but gets me where i want to go. SO another Vote for suzuki. Also they are putting them on north rivers too now. :cheers:

It also is a 98' with over 500 maybe closer to 600 hrs now.

[2percentmilt]

JD Powers ranks Suzuki #1 in four stroke motors. That's why I have one. I also like the 6 year warranty. :bowdown:

[mic4fish]

What size do you have and what kind of boat? Thanks

[No Wishin Just Fishin]

Honda :dance:

[mic4fish]

The honda 115 is over 500lbs way to heavy for my boat I am now leaning towards either a 115 optimax or a 90 4-stroke made a lot of calls now have a lot to think about :whazzup:

[Broknt]

get the optimax i have a 200 optimax and i love it.

thad

[mic4fish]

Thanks Thad the optimax is what I am now leaning towards it has the features of a 4-stroke without the added weight. :wink:

[AlseaAssassin]

I've ran both the 115 Mercury saltwater and the 115 yamaha 4-strokes and would go with the Yamaha for overall quality. The Merc tended to be a ltitlle more cold blooded but we also blew up her sister motor so I'm biased. Lots of tough work hours (^1000) on our Yamaha and its doing great.

[Bootstrap Bill]

Definetly go with Yamaha, you can't go wrong!!!

[little doc]

I've got a merc 90 on mine, and it seems to work just fine. The darn thing keeps starting every time I turn the key. How much more do you need? contact me if you want info on a merc deal, there used to be an ifisher that had a deal on them, but I dont know if he still does, or if he is even still around as I havent seen him post in quite a while.
doc.

[Catchn not fishn]

Well yamaha is not making Merc's power head any more. It is thier own design now. I found this out from stevens marine this week. all the new motors are merc now.
I have the 115 honda yes it wieghs more it also has a bigger alternator system and is the same motor as the civic been around many years.
I thing they all are great motors, honda and yamaha seem to be on more guide boats lately. My sales person sells merc and honda and didn't want to sell me the Merc. with the rebates at that time it was euqual money. I love the quietness of the honda I have forgotten it was even running when anchored a few times cause I couldn't hear it. it starts everytime with out problems no matter how long it sits or how cold it is.

[mic4fish]

Thanks everyone for the info, alsea assasin wich one of your motors blew up? I need to avoid that one, I am now leaning towards the 90 merc 4-stroke, the 115 optimax or the 115 yamaha 4-stroke. The problem is price, the yamaha is a little more spendie as is the optimax when I can get a killer deal on a 90 4-stroke merc. :whazzup:

[mic4fish]

Well I think the search has been narrowed down to either the 90 4-stroke merc or the 115 optimax. I am very stoked I found a 04 optimax with beetween 50-60 hours on it for 4,000! that is 400 dollars below the nada average retail! The only hitch is I have to have it shipped from calf. anyone know what that is going to cost?

[Catchn not fishn]

I got a good deal on my honda 115 at allen marine, they also sell merc. check them out. see brad emenette. they are in salem. great people to deal with.
tell brad i sent you.
I just ordered my new Alumaweld Black Hawk through brad got a great deal.
bruce

[Broknt]

one bad thing about 4 strokes is they get out of the hole a little slower then a 2 from what i have noticed i still think you would be happy with the 115 optimax.


thad

[foxer]

I would double check your weights. Optimax is only 11lbs lighter. I'm sure shipping will eat up any cost advantage. Whatever you buy, get it local. I would go with a 4s

[mic4fish]

I dont think so as far as the shipping cost it is only coming from california at the very most I am estimating around 400 dollars. :cool:

[Grass Hopper]

Three rivers had a killer deal on 05 non currents last time I looked 115 merc 4stroke saltwater series was running 6995
hard to beat last time I checked.
I sell the mercs and I havnt seen a 115 4 stroke come back with any serious issues yet. But I would buy the motor thats easiest to get worked on for you. If you live 3 blocks from a merc dealer it doesnt make sense to get a yamaha. In the end they are all good and its a crap shoot. Good luck and watch out for snake eyes!!!