Yamaha Vrs. Nissan 8 HP LS kicker

[socket985]

Hi,
I'm in the market for a new kicker outboard. Budget is definately playing a part in my decision.
Should I find a used yamaha 8 hp that would be around 3-4 yrs old for 1200 dollars or purchase a new Nissan/Tohatsu outboard (1600 new)with a 3 yr waranty?
Has anyone seen or heard good/Bad with Nissan outboard engines?
What would you do?

Its a 19 ft fiberglass that was powered by a Honda 7.5 which provided plenty of power for what I need. (the Honda is Gone)

Thanks

[ICHTHYDEMON]

The Yamaha T8 is the Gold standard of kickers. I have one on my boat and its awesome.

IIRC Tohatsu is made by Merc. I'd row my boat before shelling out money for a Merc.

I'd buy quality used (Yamaha) over questionable new (Nissan/Tohatsu.)

Just my opinion of course.

[socket985]

I thought the Nissan's where made in Japan and that is why I would consider one.
Are Mercury's made in the US? why would Nissan do that?
Does anyone have any experience using newer Honda outboards?
I've heard the honda's are cold blooded.
I know the Yamaha's are the one's to buy there just hard to find used.

[Small Fry]

I had a Nissan outboard once. Hated it. One problem is finding a place to work onit. I could only find one dealer and they were always booked way out. Find a good used Yamaha or Honda.

[NewMoon]

Really small Merc's (3.5hp anyway) are actually Tohatsu/Nissan.

[DirectDrive]

I have a '93 Yamaha 8HP that has been great. (Purchased new)
Stingy on fuel.
100 : 1
Lightweight.

[Patman]

Some of the info above is wrong. Mercury has heavily invested in Tohatsu/Nissan. All Mercury's 30hp and smaller have powerheads made by Tohatsu. You might be surprised who makes what for whom these days! I was thinking about buying a 30 hp Tohatsu because they cost nearly $800 less than the Merc. However, Merc's have a better designed tiller handle with shifting and trim/tilt switches within easier reach. I too like Yamaha's and would probably look for a two-stroke with low hours.

[socket985]

Patman
Thank you for the information, I'm going to keep looking for a used outboard and probably pass on the nissan, I think with nissan offering a 3 yr warranty there outboards are probably pretty good. but getting service work done by a authorized dealer if a problem arrives is definately something to consider when purchasing a outboard.

Thank You

[weekender]

You should be able to get a F8 Yamaha for about $1700. Why buy the nissan in order to save a hundred bucks?

[Moldy45]

I had a 5 hp nissan 4 stroke and it ran flawless for the 2 seasons I owned it.I looked at a 5 hp merc and only thing different was the paint job.
I would imagine a merc mech could work on the nissan.The 9.8 nissan seems pretty nice and light weight.

[lucky2]

I thought the Nissan's where made in Japan and that is why I would consider one.
Are Mercury's made in the US? why would Nissan do that?
Does anyone have any experience using newer Honda outboards?
I've heard the honda's are cold blooded.
I know the Yamaha's are the one's to buy there just hard to find used.

I have a 2004 Honda 9.9 with electric start for a kicker. It only takes a minute or so to warm up on the coldest day and then it runs beautifully.

[Flipcb]

I have a 2001 honda kicker. It is my third honda kicker and on cold mornings it is cold starting, just like the other two. I would buy a yamaha if I wasn't so well taken care of by my honda dealer. They get me in and out quickly and several times have taken care of boat problems on the spot.

[stupenny5]

L & W Guide service has a nissan it going on its fourth year no problem. He ordered it back east had it shipped saved big money. I do see the issue of someone working on it, he has had no issues.:twocents:

[Old Soldier]

I have a Yamaha 9.9 "High Thrust" I love it. That big flat prop does the job in the wind.

[KingFisher85]

yamaha has a higher resale.
Yet to hear of any real problems with he yamaha F8
Plus if you need someone to work on it, lots of places have someone who can.

[Wigeon Pete]

I have a 40 HP Nissan main motor and I work that sucker hard through duck season in all kinds of conditions, and then switch to fishing. No problems and I saved about $1,500. I'm planning on getting a Nissan kicker too.

That's the view from here.

[whatugetemon]

yamaha has a higher resale.
Yet to hear of any real problems with he yamaha F8
Plus if you need someone to work on it, lots of places have someone who can.

I like the security of a warranty too, but I have to agree with KingFisher. If you find a good deal on a used Yamaha, you can use it for years with little depreciation. The Nissan will be worth less than half of what you paid for it after just 2 or 3 years.

[Tar Heel]

It's funny that this thread asks the Q I logged on for--;=9(- so I won't start a new thred.I got a used Merc 8.8 for a kicker, and my back isn't good enough to be taking it on/off the kicker plate all the time, so they sais they would let me get a new Nissan. I have 17' Mauntauk Whaler, and want to troll w/ a Nissan 5.5, or 5, whichever they make. My main is a Yamaha 2 stroke 90, so I'm good to go there. Will the little lighter Nissan push my boat? Sounds like Nissans are ok, and the place I got the used Merc services and sells em. Feedback? Thanks.

[Moldy45]

It's funny that this thread asks the Q I logged on for--;=9(- so I won't start a new thred.I got a used Merc 8.8 for a kicker, and my back isn't good enough to be taking it on/off the kicker plate all the time, so they sais they would let me get a new Nissan. I have 17' Mauntauk Whaler, and want to troll w/ a Nissan 5.5, or 5, whichever they make. My main is a Yamaha 2 stroke 90, so I'm good to go there. Will the little lighter Nissan push my boat? Sounds like Nissans are ok, and the place I got the used Merc services and sells em. Feedback? Thanks.

it will push it but The bigger one would be better for emergancy .
for trolling yes it is fine.one other thing to know is that the 5 hp is a single bore and will shake .I had a 5 hp nissan and yes it did vibrate some but it didnt bother me,I loved that motor

[Tar Heel]

Thanks, I'll see how light the 5 is, and if I can lift it, prolly go that way.

[mudde]

here is where I got some info on Tohatsu Outboards & Nissan Outboards looks like a good source, I also like the prices a 8hp for 1499 I think, it wieghts about 79 lbs. Yamaha wieghts 83, and I bet cost a lot more. I like the yamaha's but for the coat the nissan sure looks nice.



http://www.onlineoutboards.com/

[Halfhooked]

Yamaha. Period.

you get what you pay for.