I am going to replace my 15-year-old Evinrude 8 hp. I am looking at either a Yamaha or Mercury 9.9 4-stroke. Which do you all feel is better? It will push our Mac 25. We will use it coastal cruising and over to the Bahamas and back. What does anyone know about them that might make one better than the other?
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Rick Webb
Does Not Matter
They are both the same and made by Tohatsu. Go with the dealer that will give the best deal and service.
They are both the same and made by Tohatsu. Go with the dealer that will give the best deal and service.
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Don Flowers
I beg to differ
I was unaware that they are both owned by the same company; I will look into that. But there is a mile of difference between the two engines. I would definately go with the Yamaha, and not the Mercury. I have lived on the Gulf Coast all my live and can testify to the short falls Mercury engines have in salt water, whereas Yamaha has a glowing reputation. The Yamaha I had on one of my sailboats, prior to transcending to a larger vessel with inboard diesiel, was a wonderful engine. It ran so smooth that I often had to look for exuast water to verify that the engine was still running. Another problem I have had with the Mercury engines that I have owned is the wiring; over a period of time the wiring, inside the insulation, begins to deterate from corrosion, and not just the exposed connections, the actual wire inside the insulation begins to turn black and powdery, and simply breaks internally.Well, we know what the results are when that happens. If I owned a sailboat today that required an outboard it would have a Yamaha on the transom. Don Flowers Rockport, Tx.
I was unaware that they are both owned by the same company; I will look into that. But there is a mile of difference between the two engines. I would definately go with the Yamaha, and not the Mercury. I have lived on the Gulf Coast all my live and can testify to the short falls Mercury engines have in salt water, whereas Yamaha has a glowing reputation. The Yamaha I had on one of my sailboats, prior to transcending to a larger vessel with inboard diesiel, was a wonderful engine. It ran so smooth that I often had to look for exuast water to verify that the engine was still running. Another problem I have had with the Mercury engines that I have owned is the wiring; over a period of time the wiring, inside the insulation, begins to deterate from corrosion, and not just the exposed connections, the actual wire inside the insulation begins to turn black and powdery, and simply breaks internally.Well, we know what the results are when that happens. If I owned a sailboat today that required an outboard it would have a Yamaha on the transom. Don Flowers Rockport, Tx.
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Mark
Both good but
We have both a 7.5 Murcury on one yacht and a Yamaha 8 4 stroke on a 260. I can say that the Yamaha 4 stroke is quite, very economical and incredibly reliable. It has electric start, as does the Murcury, but also has power tilt. A fantastic motor and one that I would recommend without hesitation
We have both a 7.5 Murcury on one yacht and a Yamaha 8 4 stroke on a 260. I can say that the Yamaha 4 stroke is quite, very economical and incredibly reliable. It has electric start, as does the Murcury, but also has power tilt. A fantastic motor and one that I would recommend without hesitation
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David
Same?
Rick, they are only the same on the very small engines. Many manufacturers buy their small engines from Tohatsu.
Rick, they are only the same on the very small engines. Many manufacturers buy their small engines from Tohatsu.
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Paul Akers
Had a Merc
I had an 8 hp on my dinghy for several years and my sons ran the dickens out of it. It was fairly reliable, but every once in a while refused to start or had to have a mechanic look at it. The mechanic said that it flooded easily. Also, he told me that there are aluminum parts in the controls (shift/throttle arm) that I had to have replaced because they will corrode and that he never understood why a mid-America manufacturer would use parts that would corrode in salt water, knowing that it may be destined for that environment. OTOH, I have several friends that have had Yamahas and have been very pleased with their performance and endurance. I eventually replaced my Merc with another smaller engine of another brand (not a Yamaha), but if I had gone larger, I would have paid the extra $$ for the Yamaha. Good Luck on your selection.
I had an 8 hp on my dinghy for several years and my sons ran the dickens out of it. It was fairly reliable, but every once in a while refused to start or had to have a mechanic look at it. The mechanic said that it flooded easily. Also, he told me that there are aluminum parts in the controls (shift/throttle arm) that I had to have replaced because they will corrode and that he never understood why a mid-America manufacturer would use parts that would corrode in salt water, knowing that it may be destined for that environment. OTOH, I have several friends that have had Yamahas and have been very pleased with their performance and endurance. I eventually replaced my Merc with another smaller engine of another brand (not a Yamaha), but if I had gone larger, I would have paid the extra $$ for the Yamaha. Good Luck on your selection.
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Rick Webb
Check the Specs
Almost all of the ones under 4hp are made by Tohatsu and if I remember right the Mercs, Nissans, and Yamahas up to 15 are made by Tohatsu. Regardless I do not think there is enough difference in them to pick one ove rthe other and I would shop more by dealer and by price than by manufacturer. Which type is most popular in Bahama? That is where I would be most concerned about getting a part. After you find one there compare the price to these guys online: http://onlineoutboards.com
Almost all of the ones under 4hp are made by Tohatsu and if I remember right the Mercs, Nissans, and Yamahas up to 15 are made by Tohatsu. Regardless I do not think there is enough difference in them to pick one ove rthe other and I would shop more by dealer and by price than by manufacturer. Which type is most popular in Bahama? That is where I would be most concerned about getting a part. After you find one there compare the price to these guys online: http://onlineoutboards.com
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Pete
Honda
You may want to look at the Honda 4 strokes, the are the oldest 4 stroke manufacture and have a great product. Just my 2cents!
You may want to look at the Honda 4 strokes, the are the oldest 4 stroke manufacture and have a great product. Just my 2cents!
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Alan Douglass
Only a Honda
The Honda is much lighter than the others you mentioned. With a motor hanging off the back and possibly furthur back from the transom---the leverage makes it effectively weigh more. Also, pulling it up is easier with a lighter motor. The Honda is VERY fuel efficient. And, it's a HONDA. So, it will start when you need it to, and run smoothly and quietly. Just what a true sailor wants. I bought the Honda 8hp 4 stroke X-Long shaft. It is the same motor as the 9.9 just not bored out as much.
The Honda is much lighter than the others you mentioned. With a motor hanging off the back and possibly furthur back from the transom---the leverage makes it effectively weigh more. Also, pulling it up is easier with a lighter motor. The Honda is VERY fuel efficient. And, it's a HONDA. So, it will start when you need it to, and run smoothly and quietly. Just what a true sailor wants. I bought the Honda 8hp 4 stroke X-Long shaft. It is the same motor as the 9.9 just not bored out as much.
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Edward Steenstra, III
engines
Most all engines of 2 hp,2.5 hp are made by Tohatsu. these include :Evinrude,Merc,Johnson,Nissan,and others, they are just Tohatsu's of a different color and decal.Yamaha is the only exception in that they make their own. Ed.
Most all engines of 2 hp,2.5 hp are made by Tohatsu. these include :Evinrude,Merc,Johnson,Nissan,and others, they are just Tohatsu's of a different color and decal.Yamaha is the only exception in that they make their own. Ed.
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Ken
Nissan
Few people know that nissan mke the smaller Merc's, just take a good look at both engines and you'll see. The nissan are $100-300 less. How's that for a trade secret?
Few people know that nissan mke the smaller Merc's, just take a good look at both engines and you'll see. The nissan are $100-300 less. How's that for a trade secret?
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Rick Webb
Actually Ken
They are both made by Tohatsu along with many of the other portable out boards wearing another label.
They are both made by Tohatsu along with many of the other portable out boards wearing another label.
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Page
Make sure you have support
I have a Honda 15hp on my O'day 25. I has run great for a long time. It is now time for a tune up and I only have two dealers for Honda outboards in my area. Both have suggested a carb cleaning. Neither will look at it for less than $150 for cleaning the carb,(not including parts). Some of the independent repair shops I went to don't want to deal with Honda. Just make sure you have a product you can get repaired at a number of locations.
I have a Honda 15hp on my O'day 25. I has run great for a long time. It is now time for a tune up and I only have two dealers for Honda outboards in my area. Both have suggested a carb cleaning. Neither will look at it for less than $150 for cleaning the carb,(not including parts). Some of the independent repair shops I went to don't want to deal with Honda. Just make sure you have a product you can get repaired at a number of locations.
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