Thinking about gettin a new OB for my h-26. Looking at a Mercury 9.9 electric start. should I get the long shaft? Any experience with mercury OB's would be appreciated
new outboard
- Thread starter jcwlbw
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John, without a doubt, you'll be better off with the long shaft. That way you'll be confident that the prop is in the water regardless of conditions. I've had a Merc 8 for four years with good results. Another plus is that when service is required, you're likely to find it easier to get service on your Mercury than with some other brands. That probably varies with your area, but I've heard several war stories from people. By the way, where do you sail? Good luck.
John, without a doubt, you'll be better off with the long shaft. That way you'll be confident that the prop is in the water regardless of conditions. I've had a Merc 8 for four years with good results. Another plus is that when service is required, you're likely to find it easier to get service on your Mercury than with some other brands. That probably varies with your area, but I've heard several war stories from people. By the way, where do you sail? Good luck.
The longer the better
You would be much happier with a 4 stroke. I Have had a both if you have to motor any distance the noise from a two stroke gets tiresome fast. The gas consumption is half and the low speed torque is useful. I sail with a outboard for over twenty years and the best thing that ever happened is when my two stroke was stolen. I found Honda had a 23" long shaft. The long the better. I started with a Evinrude that had a extra long 25" shaft. I still had it come out of the water bad conditions. If price is a factor look at a 8HP pull start stroke, they start very easy. The only down side is they are heavier, but when you add the extra gas total weight is the same.
You would be much happier with a 4 stroke. I Have had a both if you have to motor any distance the noise from a two stroke gets tiresome fast. The gas consumption is half and the low speed torque is useful. I sail with a outboard for over twenty years and the best thing that ever happened is when my two stroke was stolen. I found Honda had a 23" long shaft. The long the better. I started with a Evinrude that had a extra long 25" shaft. I still had it come out of the water bad conditions. If price is a factor look at a 8HP pull start stroke, they start very easy. The only down side is they are heavier, but when you add the extra gas total weight is the same.
Good outboard
I have had a 9.9 Mercury four stroke with electric start for three years with only one issue: a spark plug had gone bad, which was unrelated to the engine itself. It's a great engine, starts easily, runs quiet, and uses very little gas. I may burn 5 gallons in one year. Just make sure you keep adding a gas stabilizer when you feel it up. Keeps fuel system from gumming up and keeps some of the water out of the gas.
I have had a 9.9 Mercury four stroke with electric start for three years with only one issue: a spark plug had gone bad, which was unrelated to the engine itself. It's a great engine, starts easily, runs quiet, and uses very little gas. I may burn 5 gallons in one year. Just make sure you keep adding a gas stabilizer when you feel it up. Keeps fuel system from gumming up and keeps some of the water out of the gas.
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