Do Mercury's have a bad rap?

[Pyramid]

I bought a newer LS for my drift boat, only to be givin **** by all my work compadres.

It starts on the second pull (same as my 7hp ss) and it push's my drift boat just fine. In fact, I have to throw out some slow down funnels just to get the right speed.

[Water Ready]

Nothin' wrong with Merc's --What happened to make ya think there is a problem? :whazzup: Just work it and see what develops. [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] Good fishin"

[glowball]

They probably drive chevy's huh? No worries with mercury. I got two of em on my boat.

[Grant Scheele]

Mercury kickers rock!

[Wood N' Fish]

Must be some jealosy there? :whazzup: Guess they won't be asking you to fill an empty seat? [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

[Mojo]

I have been given crap from several people, a prominant Oregon Guide among them, for having Merc's on my sled. They start when I want 'em to, run when and how I want 'em to, and have NEVER let me down. Only problem I have is the 200hp drinks too much...but people say that about me as well... :grin:

[HOGTIDE]

No bad rap here. I consider Merc to be top of the line. They are the only outboard i will bolt on my boats.

Competitors feel that it is mandatory to talk down their opponents to boost sales...probably where the bad-rap rumors come from.

[greenbuttskunk]

I've got a 90hp merc on the new boat and will be giving it a shot tomorrow. I've got faith.

[Fish Hawg]

Can you say YAMAHA :tongue: :grin:

[Fish Hawg]

I heard that yamaha was making the power heads for the new mrec's. This is her say.If this is not true let me know...Thanks in advance

[ORoutdoorsman]

I agree with hogtide. Some salesperson was convincing enough to make someone believe that merc's were bad. And that can cause a chain reaction of him telling friends, co workers, ect. And if someone who has no idea has heard something bad from this guy, he will pass it on. I personally am no expert, but I would consider mercury to be one of the best companies. I would prefer to have a merc on my boat over any other outboard.

[ 01-10-2004, 10:07 PM: Message edited by: ORoutdoorsman ]

[Day Late]

I have a 25hp Merc with a pump on my little sled with an older 6hp Yamaha kicker I've had since new. Love them both equally just like a proud daddy with a fantastic son and daughter!! Neither has ever let me down. :smile: :smile:

Day Late

[WaterDog]

If it aint black, I don't want it. Merc is #1 in my book. :grin: I did have a 90hp Johnson for a while and it was a great motor too however.

Funny thing is Chinookster and his work buddies do drive chevy's.

[Bob Barthlow]

All I'll say is look around. Merc is the most popular outboard out there!

Fish Hawg, Yamaha is making Merc 4 stroke powerheads.....Yamaha would be my next choise after Merc.

[ 01-10-2004, 11:07 PM: Message edited by: Rapid Robert ]

[Carp Bait]

Nookster,
Chech out this site: http://www.smalloutboards.com/
They sell everything and seem fairly unbiased. They have some great articles that helped me out. I bought a 2000 15 HP Merc for my DB yesterday so now you know my vote.

[Flatfish]

They sure do. Usually in the company of Yamaha and Honda salesman.

If they are so bad, why are they still in business?

If they are so bad, why do many Merc and Yamaha kickers share the same parts?

Mark and the inquiring minded dog.

[Pickles]

Well said Flatfish

[Empire]

Mercury does not get a bad rap from me. Mercury puts a lot of $$$ into research and development, builds a reliable motor that looks good, and has superior resale value.

There is no doubt that Mercury will still be making marine motors in 2014.

I am not saying other makes are poor quality, they are all good motors (except for a Suzuki kicker I saw, looked junky).

[GutshotApe]

I once had a Mercury "Black Gnat" 4hp kicker and put a longshaft kit on it. It was a fine motor when you mixed the gas/oil PRECISELY to the recommend ratio...otherwise, it was tempermental and hard to start. Even with the right mix it tended to load up when trolling. Many times I thought about tying it onto my anchor line for alternate use. Finally gave up and bought an Evinrude 6hp...now THAT was a great trolling motor!

[David Johnson]

My Mercs keep me in business :smile:

[CAGEY]

Some of you may not be old enough to remember but Mercs got their bad reputation back in the early 60's (and deserved it) because they were extremely hard to start. Once they were running they were fine. Problem was no one knew how to set them up in the first place. I have owned mercs (1989-1993) and i loved them. Quick start, excellent running, and very low maint. Would buy them in a heartbeat.

[lost_sailor]

Let's just say I have a 43-year-old Merc that just keeps going and going and going and going ...

[Small Fry]

I have a 1990 200 horse on the back of my boat and it starts eaisly everytime I put the juice to it.

I think one of the keys to any thing is how you take care of your motors.

When it's time to replace it I will look at Mercsa first and Yamaha second. Since I don't make 6 figures Price will be a factor.

just my 2 cents

[Billy Tillamook]

Take a look at the back of the boats of the guides! A pretty high percentage ( make that very high) use the mercs. Would that be happenning if they were not a great motor?
My limited experience with em is very good!
200hp tiller

[timinthegorge]

2003 9.9hp 4-stroke, 2003 90hp oil-injected 2-stroke.

Been runnin' Mercs since my first boat and I do have one problem. My 9.9 will NOT start on the first pull. Never! Once it's been runnin', sure, but not the first time I drop the boat in the water. Second pull, EVERY time... Gotta love 'em... :grin:

[glassblower]

There are many top of the line name brand engines out there, and they alll for the most part are great engins. I have had mercs, and currantly have one boat with a 55hp johnson, and one with a 85hp evenrude. I do need about a 10hp kicker for my 16ft v-hull and would prefer a honda 4-stroke but I will take whatever runs good. I think it all comes down to personal preferance in the end. Just for the record, I drive a Ford :grin:

[Born to Fish]

I've got a 90-hp 2-stroke oil injected Merc on my bass boat and its an absolute gem.

I had been an Evinrude owner for many years, with several different motors and was a little hesitant in going with the Merc when I bought the boat/motor in 2001 - haven't regretted the decision to go with Merc since.

[glassblower]

I would like to add that 2-strokes are on the way out due to emissions. That is why I plan to go for 4-strokes.

[nerta]

When I started running Merc's in the early I heard a lot of you'll be sorry from Keta and the group. But that motor still runs fine. The ones they were running have all had to be rebuilt for what ever reason. My new 4 stroke 90 bought 2 years ago is black and so is my kicker and thats the way they will stay. If it ain't black take it back... unless it's free!!!!!!!! :tongue: :tongue: :tongue:

[Beerbelly]

I've had johnson, evenrude merc's yamaha's and honda an d merc would be my last choice .