I don’t see how 50-100 lbs is enough to take an engine out of the running. That’s 1/4 of the average passenger, two anchors, one empty 120qt rotomold cooler, or the average lead assortment of an offshore boat.
Mercury or Yamaha main motor
Ok dogs it’s time to get a new main motor for my 20’ raider. Currently has a 90 horse 2 stroke mercury on it. She pushes it just fine but is cold blooded as hell. And wanting to get away from 2 stroke oil. I have a 2020 4 stroke 25 horse Yamaha I’m putting on for a kicker”runs flawless”. Looking at a 115 since neither mercury or Yamaha sells a 135 that my boat is rated for. Both brands go from 115 to 150 with nothing in between. So in your opinion what is the best salt water motor. I fish salt 80 percent of the time. Thanks for your input. Good or bad
21 - 40 of 93 Posts
Lots of Honda’s and Yamaha’s in that picture…..Always been a Yamaha guy but I sure love my 250 Mercury I repowered with last summer. View attachment 1004804
I also have a Mercury…….
good luck choosing I have a merc. 150 my only complaint has been the cheap plastic hub spacer that comes loose. It's a $4 part that caused by prop to cavitate. I do have yamaha 25 high thrust kicker. Merc has 350hrs on it, it pushes a 27' boat at wot 36 mph, I like the larger displacement theory.
Hard to beat a Mercury. Very long lasting, reliable, and you’ll probably never need maintenance beyond the basics you can do yourself. Plus, if you do, everyone services them. I think every one overWe have Mercury 115 Command Thrusts in stock at Stevens Marine. With that you get the robust 2.1 liter displacement with the 150 lower unit/prop. With Mercury you don’t compromise on weight to get displacement.
We offer the five years of warranty on Mercs year around but that’s not all dealers.
Our pricing also tends to be very competitive because of the volume we do. Controls, cables and prop are free right now.
Even though they all say 115 on the back, performance will not be equal with the variance in displacement, smaller props, etc.
All EFI four strokes in this category are rather reliable these days.
I really do think Mercury does the best job with corrosion resistance these days.
It really comes down to splitting hairs on some of these. But Hondas are too heavy to even be in conversation, I think. Suzuki and Tohatsu seem fine but depending on where you are, parts and service can be scarce because overall market share and dealer/service network is limited. That would leave Yamaha for me and I think the Mercury with 5 years of warranty and 2.1 Liter for less weight than the Yamaha 1.8 liter with 3 years of warranty (Mercury probably also less money) are all factors in why you see a ton of the Merc’s out there. Plus you can get a matching EFI kicker.
Yes, I sell them so this is rather biased. But also mostly just facts. Shoot me a PM if you want to talk pricing and availability.
25hp is USA MADE. I believe they have more power than yamaha or honda too… I loved my Honda, but I do prefer the Mercs I’ve had…. good luck. i would never go back.
Those are some really fat passengers. But 100# hanging off the very back of the boat is different then a guy sitting in the middle of the boat but both require more power to plane.I don’t see how 50-100 lbs is enough to take an engine out of the running. That’s 1/4 of the average passenger, two anchors, one empty 120qt rotomold cooler, or the average lead assortment of an offshore boat.
Yep, hold a 60 lb dumbbell by your side,pretty easy to do, now try to hold the same 60 lb’s out at arm’s length, good luck……
My 20’ Hewes has a 2010 Yamaha F115 currently at 840 hours or so. By far most of those hours were in salt. Knock wood, it runs perfect and I would say has shown generally excellent corrosion resistance. Can’t speak to the Mercury. That’s a big kicker! It’ll control the boat nicely.Ok dogs it’s time to get a new main motor for my 20’ raider. Currently has a 90 horse 2 stroke mercury on it. She pushes it just fine but is cold blooded as hell. And wanting to get away from 2 stroke oil. I have a 2020 4 stroke 25 horse Yamaha I’m putting on for a kicker”runs flawless”. Looking at a 115 since neither mercury or Yamaha sells a 135 that my boat is rated for. Both brands go from 115 to 150 with nothing in between. So in your opinion what is the best salt water motor. I fish salt 80 percent of the time. Thanks for your input. Good or bad
Honda for me All day long... love mine. I have had mercury, yamaha and Suzuki and I'm happy with my honda. Suzuki would be my next choice.
Bought the 25 for my duck boat 2 years ago and it run’s awesome. Finally own a boat I can fish the ocean with. So the 25 is getting a bay kit and being put on the raider. I like the thought of more kicker power if I ever need in an emergencyMy 20’ Hewes has a 2010 Yamaha F115 currently at 840 hours or so. By far most of those hours were in salt. Knock wood, it runs perfect and I would say has shown generally excellent corrosion resistance. Can’t speak to the Mercury. That’s a big kicker! It’ll control the boat nicely.
My 2015 Suzuki 150 now has 879 hours on it all in the salt and I have not had a single problem with it
The 2015 9.9 Suzuki kicker with 540 hrs has gone through 2 starters and a throttle cable
Probably from swamping it when backing into a Halibut drift
Last year I remounted the kicker about 3 inches higher and it seems to help , we will see
The 2015 9.9 Suzuki kicker with 540 hrs has gone through 2 starters and a throttle cable
Probably from swamping it when backing into a Halibut drift
Last year I remounted the kicker about 3 inches higher and it seems to help , we will see
Buy the motor brand based on the dealer with the best service, location and history.
Focus on power to weight ratio. Any new motor is going to have a warranty and work just fine. As stated, proximity to service at a shop, I like would also be a major motivator.
I'm not sure a local shop is a big concern unless you plan on being in there a lot.
I currently run Yamaha's on my boat and have been trouble free. I have owned and ran Honda's as well. I think anyone one of the four would be great. If I had to repower again I would "probably" go Yamaha. They are what I have had and know on several boats in the last ten years. I have heard many good things about Suzuki as well.
Brother inlaw likes his Mercs. I just like the quality that I am used to with Yamaha and Honda boat motors, generators, lawn mowers etc.
Your results may vary.
Good Luck!
Brother inlaw likes his Mercs. I just like the quality that I am used to with Yamaha and Honda boat motors, generators, lawn mowers etc.
Your results may vary.
Good Luck!
My last boat I went with who is my local outboard dealer. That resulted in going with Mercury motors on the boat via Tigard Steven's Marine.
I’ve always ran Yamaha or Honda dirt bikes and Honda generators. Never a serious issue yet. I’m gonna talk to a Honda dealer too. The extra weight won’t be an issue as my boat is nose heavy. And that’s with nothing in the fish box or the front compartment. I put an 35 gallon bleed / crab barrel on the swim step to level it out. Only an anchor and nest up front. Thanks again for all the replies
I don’t have technical knowledge either way between Mercury or Yamaha but when I was in Mexico we went out on the ocean for Dorado in an open boat with a local. When we met on the beach I noticed every single guide had a Big Yamaha outboard. A guy in another group that was also hiring a boat for the day said that’s how you tell the best equipment. They use their boats everyday and count on the motor to last and be trouble free Many miles out in the ocean. So I bought a Yamaha and have been overjoyed with it.
No more Mercs for me. keep eating starboard lowers.
Going to Suzis later in the year.
Going to Suzis later in the year.
21 - 40 of 93 Posts
IFish Fishing Forum
A forum community dedicated to anglers and fishing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tackle, tips, tricks, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Top Contributors this Month
View All
DogZilla15
300 Replies
Kirkll
124 Replies
Don G Baldi
121 Replies
Recommended Communities
