Toss up: Yamaha T8 HT or Honda 9.9?

Dr Strangelove · 12-12-2001, 10:08 PM

Please advise with personal experience. Gonna buy one of em at the Boat Show. Thanks

Jsail · 12-12-2001, 10:30 PM

I had the Honda and I have the Yamaha. All my experience with the Honda was great untill I had to have the impellar repalced $260.00. I sold it with the sail boat. Now I have the Yamaha 9.9 as a kicker and am very pleased with it. I haven't had it serviced since I bought it (used). I called Johnson Marine, as they are the only ones I could find locally that work on Yamaha. They said to run it for 10 years or untill something goes wrong, they are strong and reliable. I've trolled with the Yamaha for 8+ hrs without it missing a beat. Even after I've run it out of gas, I can pump the bulb till its firm, it'll start first pull.

Snapshot · 12-12-2001, 10:37 PM

Doc, I had a yamaha and Rags now has one. However, Honda seems to be good also. I don't think you will be unhappy with either. I'll bet the Honda will cost more. There is an inflatable boat marina(?) in Portland that had the best prices on the Yamahas in November when I was shopping for one. They were about 400 below Browns landing and another marina.
**** Are you going to call Rags for Saturday? We need your numbers to coordinate meeting. I think we are going in my boat, and lemonaid would be fine. Perhaps we could meet for breakfast somewhere in Vancouver next to I-5.
you don't have to worry aobut handing off the first fish hooked, I got one first time out with the boat last Saturday PM. The Skunk is out. :grin:

Seefood Man · 12-13-2001, 05:58 AM

Hi Doc; I have a Honda 8hp 4 stroke. When I first got the motor it was a real bit** to start. I was really PO'd until I was told that the sparkplugs that come with them are garbage. I changed them out and now the motor starts on the first pull all the time. The only thing I wish, is that the shifter was in the handle like the 2 strokes. If someone made that I would trade mine in. Is that some safety thing or because it's a 4 stroke thats the way it has to be?

WaterDog · 12-13-2001, 06:25 AM

My Dad has a Honda 8hp and IMO it's not the easiest motor to run. Whoever designed it never fished out of a boat.

It doesnt seem to run at idle very smooth, no F-N-R in handle, hard to start(I'll tell him to change the plug), steering friction not easily adjustable. I'm not sure about the Yamaha but the honda doesnt even come close compared to my Merc 8hp 2 stroke.

Denali · 12-13-2001, 07:21 AM

Doc,

I have the Yamaha 8hp with power TNT. I have about 100 hours on it. Runs great, no coughs, smoke, or hiccups. Draws right from the main tank no problem. Also the tiller is larger then most(I believe the tiller is from the 40hp), which I like alot. Honda's have a good rep as well.

Jim · 12-13-2001, 07:26 AM

I have run my Honda 10 for years...3 boats and 6 big motors. I get comments every year about when I am going to get a real kicker...but, it starts on the second pull every morning cold and runs like a top all day...it doesn't match the big motor but until it quits doing its job it remains on my boat...and when I do have to take it off...I would be hard pressed to not buy another Honda...by the way big motors are mercs.

Jim

Predator Dawg · 12-13-2001, 08:05 AM

Doc,

I have the T8 w/ electric start, power TNT, 4 stroke - high thrust pulling off my main tank and really like it. Everything I hated about my Suzuki I love about this motor. My back really likes the power TNT. Its been flawless to date with maybe 40 hours on it, so its journey is just beginning. Haven't owned a Honda for comparison but have yet to hear anything bad about them.

Fish Hunter · 12-13-2001, 08:25 AM

I LIKE MY HONDA! Good changes for 2001 model year make the tiller friction adj. easy. The Power Thrust prop on it will troll down incredibly slow, but will still push the boat(same as yours) 5mph. Throttle friction works better too. Starts fine. I had folks tell me to watch out for the funky auto-choke on some of the Yamahas :whazzup: . Sure yamaha makes a good kicker too. Look for me at the Flotilla and introduce yourself. Check out my honda on the red NR.

Dr Strangelove · 12-13-2001, 10:07 AM

Thanks for all the input! SALTINE - have you tried your T8 on a good Buoy 10 rip? And will it troll slow enough for trout? I know I need a compromise. Thanks, Doc

Dr Strangelove · 12-13-2001, 12:01 PM

what is a trollmaster? I'm familiar with a TR-1 but can't clear that expense by the war commission (wife). She'd roast my genitalia. Well so far it looks like a Yam T8...

Tagster · 12-13-2001, 01:00 PM

Any thoughts of the Mercury 9.9 4 stroke?

I have it on the back of my NR and love it.

Very quiet, no smoke...

Tag

[ 12-13-2001: Message edited by: Tagster ]</p>

fishbait · 12-13-2001, 01:14 PM

1986 Honda, wish everything I owned performed so well.

TMAN · 12-13-2001, 03:03 PM

I have run my Yamaha T8 for a full season now and it's awesome. It is the smoothest, quietest motor I've ever owned and I've had them all. I have a 21 foot Super Vee and had no problems in a rip at buoy 10 and I can troll at lake speed if I need to. Just my 2 cents worth. The guys at Stevens Marine sold it to me after a little arm twisting and then later admitted it kicked but over the Mercury's.

Predator Dawg · 12-13-2001, 03:46 PM

Doc,

I've had mine in some good wind and chop and it had plenty of power. I understand Buoy 10 is a different animal with current, tide, wind, etc. all at once but I am rather confident the thrust would be plenty. It powers down very low as well. I would think it would be great for trout fishing. I have it on a 19'6" Willie Predator for comparison. Not sure about the choke issue mentioned above. My choke works great and the motor has kicked over the first try each time. The tilt is incredibly fast. You need to watch your screw mounts so that they don't loosen from the torque of the tilt. I put a slide lock on to remedy any potential issue from that.

Let me know if there is anything else I can answer for you.

Fish Hawk Adventures · 12-13-2001, 09:46 PM

Yamaha hands down!!!!!

The Yamaha has an easy adjustment right on the throtle handle,

Stearing lock on the front that only takes a split second to lock.

Yamaha makes the power head for the merc 4 stroke so when you buy a Merc you are really getting a Yamaha in Black.

Both have a 3 year warranty.

I use a 4 stroke 25 horse on my 16' lodge series and it trolls slow. I troll down stream with herring and all the Guides are flying buy me with there 9.9's. It trolled good enough to baot 76 springers in the multnomah channel last spring. All trolling!!!!Down Stream, No troll plate or sea bucket!!!

Advice buy a Yamaha and use the extra 900 - 1400 dollars you will save on some great rods and reels.

Talons

scrod · 12-13-2001, 11:43 PM

I have been running the Honda 8 and its very reliable. Yes the original plugs will foul very quickly, junk 'em. I was disappointed by the throttle control at first but for lake trout, trout, kokanee, and other trolling I put on the remote control by Troll Master. It allows minute throttle changes form anywhere in the boat. I found the Honda to be so quiet that I often can't tell if it's running. :smile:

jet · 12-13-2001, 11:44 PM

HONDA...

Jet~~~

Sam I Am · 12-14-2001, 12:37 AM

Hello everyone! I"m new to the board and enjoy your topics and input. This summer I purchased a new Lund 1900 ProV IFS with a Yamaha 200 HPDI and a matching 8 HP High Thrust four stroke with power tilt. This is an impressive four stroke kicker with easy starting and super smooth/quiet operation. Speed/throttle adjustments are super for various speed/species trolling applications.
I have put many hours on both new outboards and am really happy with the way they run and operate.

BlueWater · 12-14-2001, 02:01 AM

I have heard that by backing out the throttle limiting screw on the 9.9 Honda you now have a ~12 hp outboard.

At least that is what the sales guy told my neighbor when he bought his. He has been very pleased with the preformance and the elect. start is a back saver.
Happy trolling.
BlueWater.

scrod · 12-14-2001, 07:33 AM

Dr S
The trollmaster by Topline controls is what we closely managed fishin troops get when the nix goes on a TR-1. Its inexpensive, durable and in the boat.
www.troll-master.com :grin:

Tagster · 12-14-2001, 09:09 AM

Scrod, I looked at the Troll-Master web site and it looks like it is only a throttle control.

How do you steer the kicker? I don't think that it is possible to tie into the steering for the jet, is it?

Tag

SlabQuest · 12-15-2001, 07:50 AM

I have a '98 Yamaha 9.9HT and know a few folks with the same kicker. They are a little "cold blooded" - they must be warmed up for several minutes before you can put them in gear. Once it is warm, it runs perfect all day long. I have heard that the cold bloodedness comes from Yamaha putting in carbuerator jets that are tuned for the mid latitudes. A friend of mine complained to Yamaha and they sent him different jets - which he has yet to install. I wish they would just factory install the other jets for motors being shipped north.