View Full Version : 4-stroke O/B opinions
Big Willie
02-22-2001, 10:16 AM
Mercury, Honda, Yamaha, Evinrude/Johnson. Anybody? Honda's been at it for a while, the others are fairly new to the game I think.
Thanks in advance. -Gary
I have just purchased a couple merc. four strokes from my new sled. I had been using the 30hp fourstroke Honda, it was ok, but slower than my old Mariner but very quiet and smooth. I have a good friend that has the Evinrude 9.9 four stroke on his 21ft Jetcraft it is ok, but doesn't troll as smooth as the Merc. 9.9 Bigfoot my uncle has... I also fished with Major Brown last fall and his 9.9 Yamaha and liked it better Evenrude.. but not as smooth as the Merc. So we went w/ the 60hp Merc bigfoot four stroke and the 9.9 Merc bigfoot fourstroke.. on our 22ft willie open predator. just my $.02
TH www.thcustomrods.com (http://www.thcustomrods.com)
[This message has been edited by TH (edited 02-22-2001).]
garyk
02-22-2001, 01:02 PM
The Honda's seem to be getting good marks for reliability which was the main factor in my purchase of a 90hp and a 8hp. One note thought is that some larger motors are coming from the factory with the idle adjustment too low causing hard starting and cold stalling.
O'City Fisherman
02-22-2001, 01:13 PM
I have heard good things about the suzuki.. I think that they also have the best warranty out on the market.. I think that they have a 3 year limited warranty??? check out there website.
http://www.suzukimarine.com/
Master Baiter
02-22-2001, 01:19 PM
I bought a Honda 9.9 last year, no complaints. I think it was worth paying a little extra upfront for proven reliability and longevity.
I have seen some negative comments somewhere on this board recently regarding the suzuki motors.
MB
Trout,myster
02-22-2001, 04:56 PM
I have an 8hp Honda kicker that I bought at last year's boat show and would buy another one. It's quiet, smooth, and runs forever on a gallon of gas. No problems starting it providing I do it the way Sportcraft showed me. Starts 1st or 2nd pull every time.
Not sure on the bigger 4-strokes. I like the reports on the 115 and 130, but would be better to hear from folks who own them.
Suzuki does have a 3 year warranty and, if the time is right, they will add 3 more years. I've owned Suzuki motorcycles and have had them apart, they're built well with some smart engineering. Same for Yamahas.
For hard starting, and I can't really go into the details here, but let's just say there is a piece of plastic blocking an adjustment that you need make. Hard starting and stalling are usually caused by a lean mixture. For fuel injected larger motors, that's not an issue.
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Troutmyster
Deleted User
02-22-2001, 08:33 PM
MERCURY MERCURY MERCURY
Go to the Mercury marine website and ask for a Four Stroke procure them and Honda Four had a test and it proved that Mercury ran more efficient and got beter gas milege than the Honda Four. However I have heard that the Honda Four sounds better (quiter)
OH and Johnson Evinrude are out of the question being as how OMC went bankrupt and all. You may still be able to buy those motors but you will never be able to find the parts.
Deleted User
02-22-2001, 08:36 PM
TH
I did not know that Mercury made a 9.9 horsepower Bigfoot serious outboard I thought that they started at 125 Horsepower.
Trollin
02-22-2001, 10:01 PM
In my book Honda is the way to go runs quite starts on the first pull. My experience is with the 8 hp only, but cant imagine why the larger motors would not perform the same way.
I think the only thing that could beat a Honda is if Toyota made outboards. Just my opinion http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Well as I am tyler's fishing parntner we see all the same stuff at the same time. I have seen some nice honda motors. But the problem is they are very BIG I saw a honda 75 hrs that was the size of a mercury 115 2 stroke.
I just think thats gettin a little to heavey for my liking.
Just my thoughts http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif
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A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work
212hjet
02-23-2001, 07:04 AM
I have a 9.9 high thrust yamaha and a 25 yamaha and like them both. Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki have three year warranties, Merc, one and Tohatsu 2 year. Anything less than three years with today's technology is unacceptable to me. My experience with all of them has been good except the Suzuki and tohatsu. I would say that the throttle on my 9.9 could have a finer adjustment from idle to the beginning of throttle. They are so quiet..and smoke free..you'll like whatever you get. Obviously stay away from OMC products as they will likely emerge with new ownership at some time....but they are not honoring old warranties and parts will be an issue for at least awhile if not permanently if they do not emerge from Ch. 11.
Tyler,
I think they only make the bigfoot in the smaller HP outboards... I think the 60hp four stroke may be the biggest they make, I'll check their webpage and see..
TH www.thcustomrods.com (http://www.thcustomrods.com)
Master Baiter
02-23-2001, 08:29 AM
Hey trout, just out of curiosity, what is the method for starting that you mentioned?
Dustin, the four strokes will aways be bigger and heavier because they have twice as much drive train and need larger heads to hold it all.
MB
Bait O' Eggs
02-23-2001, 08:57 AM
I got a cabelas spring clearance catalog yesterday, they had the Johnson motors on clearance price, wonder why??????
Trout,myster
02-23-2001, 08:36 PM
MB-
When I bought my Honda, the mechanic who took me through the "ropes" said specifically "don't pay any attention to the book, do it this way". Having been a motorcycle racer and mechanic in my younger days, I know engines can be finicky. Here's what he showed me:
1) Pump the ball until hard.
2) Pull out the choke all the way.
3) Turn the throttle until it stops and won't go any further.
4) Crank the engine.
This works every time for me on my Honda. The little piece of plastic I mentioned may cause headaches and should be discarded so you can adjust the mixture device (carb). Too much air and not enough fuel makes a small motor (2 or 4 stroke) a ***** to start.
I noticed this on my Honda while up at Paulina Lake. Ran really good up there and not so hot down here. High altitude richened the unit up and it liked it. Had to do some "adjusting" down here in the flatlands to get the right mixture.
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Troutmyster