posted 07-07-2002 01:19 PM ET (US)        

I've already done research on 4-stroke versus 2-stroke and am curious about used 2-stroke engines. Are there any 2-stroke engines that are less smokey then others? [I] was test driving a 13-footer the other day and the smoke was really getting to me; I am definitely going to try [to buy] a Montauk [in order] to be a little more forward of the engine.

posted 07-07-2002 05:24 PM ET (US)            

It made good sense to sell a premium brand boat, a Whaler, with a premium brand engine.

You don't see too many Whalers for FORCE engines on them or other econo-brand outboards.

There is also the sense of color coordination. The Whaler hull was desert tan or white with light blue cockpit in an era when many boats were molded in rather odd colors--shades or red, orange, blue, green, etc.--and thus the usually white or light blue Evinrude engine looked rather nice on the boat.

Johnson engines were more or less identical, although perhaps they lacked some accessories like power trim or electric start in certain models, but they were painted in copper tones and other colors.

posted 07-07-2002 06:00 PM ET (US)            

I say this with the caveat that I am generally refering to medium to large OB's. (75hp to 250hp)

I find this to be my own experience running many difference HP motors (70-250hp) and through discussions with many many boaters long before the internet existed. Do they deserve a premium because of marketing hype..I do not think so.. I think they deserve a slight premium because they are better build and most importantly engineered.

With the internet, I since learned that my small statistical sampling from years past proved to be representative of what may be actual fact. Yamaha's seem to run more reliably and last a long time.

I think of the people, the thousands of people, who bought Ficht motors in the late 90's, most who got screwed royally. Motors that no one could fix, no parts, no warranty, but again, how a company of this size could engineer such a poor product. (Think if these were cars and the same thing happened!) Same holds true for the early Mercury Optimax technology, and how many of those people had motors that never ever ran right. (i.e. Jurisprudence) If I was one of those Ficht or Optimax owners who learned early on that they were not a rare case but one of so many who had the same problems, i would be livid.

For some reason, you just don't have those #'s of problems with Yamaha's.

Perhaps the Japanese wait a bit longer before releasing new technology to the market, but all in all, what they do put out there seems to give the buyer a much better chance of owning a more reliable product.

The "market" is willing to pay more for Yamaha's for more than marketing hype...I give them more credit than that, especially the boating community, but because they are getting a better product.

Let the games begin !

posted 07-07-2002 06:26 PM ET (US)            

One more observation: The baymen who make their living on the water here on Long Island, just about all have Yamahas on their boats.

My $.02

posted 07-07-2002 08:27 PM ET (US)            

To your original questions about the 1993 Johnson. I presently have a 1994 90hp Johnson on my Montauk. I bought it new in 1994. It is pretty basic technology. Tried and tested over many years. Does it smoke? Yes, as do all 2 strokes of that era. If it has VRO, then it should use less oil and smoke less. I do basic maintenance on mine. Change the plugs, the lower unit oil, the impeller and a lube job at least once a year and keep the carbs clean. I also just changed the thermostats and cleaned out the coolng jackets. As long as the engine has not been abused and been maintained, it should work fine. Do they burn more fuel than the 4 strokes? Of course. But mine still has good mileage left on it, is paid for and I will keep it until I have to go to the next generation. When I do, I will certainly look at the Yamahas and Hondas. They seem to be excellent products today. But my Johnson has never left me off shore. Always got me back.

posted 07-07-2002 09:02 PM ET (US)            

The best comment I have heard on this subject.

posted 07-08-2002 12:42 AM ET (US)            

I understand your frustration with this topic, but Bocadrew did ask for people's preferences. I have no hidden motive for stating my (slight) preference toward Yamaha. As to the Long Island/Yamaha thing, there are probably more than 100 boat dealers on the island and you can see every imaginable boat/engine combination during a day on the water. There are roughly equal amounts of Mercs, Yamahas, and older Evinrudes and Johnsons on the recreational boats. The vast majority of commercial boats here however, are powered by Yamahas.
I don't know for sure, but I would guess that there are more places to get Mercurys serviced than there are for Yamahas. At least that's the way it seems in my immediate area.

Respectfully,