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Author Topic:   Yamaha vs.Honda - 4Strokes

saltspring posted 01-12-2005 09:24 PM ET (US)
Does anyone have strong views on the Yamaha 150 vs. the Honda 150?
alkar posted 01-12-2005 09:44 PM ET (US)
They're both great motors. In fact, I have not heard or read anything negative about either of them, but the new Honda 150 VTEC has recently gotten several glowing reviews.
I had twin Honda 115s on my 22 foot Outrage. They were too heavy for a twin application on a heavy, small boat, but they were otherwise wonderful motors. The new Honda 150 actually makes 160 horsepower - and it weighs 25 pounds less than my 115s did. That's a couple steps in the right direction!
I think you'd be delighted with the performance and reliability of either motor.
kglinz posted 01-12-2005 10:53 PM ET (US)
Saltspring
Have you seen this thing on 100% tariffs on US boats. I don't fully understand it, but if you're planning to order a boat you might check.... http://www.pacificyachting.com/article.php?sid=299 .... http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partI/2004/20041123-x/html/extra-e.html
saltspring posted 01-12-2005 11:18 PM ET (US)
kglinz: I have been following the proceedings and it is all to do with the World Trade Organization WTO. A lot of sabre rattling between between various countries and the U.S. My gut feel is the part relating to a 100% duty on US boats coming into Canada won't happen, but you never know.
Roarque posted 01-12-2005 11:51 PM ET (US)
Saltspring,
First, I hope the power's back on in Ganges
Second, have you considered the Suzuki 140? HP to weight ratio is quite good for a four year old design. My experience has been good with Suzuki 4Strokes.
Good dealers in Nanaimo and Courtney. Seldom get down to Vancouver.
Moe posted 01-13-2005 12:16 AM ET (US)
As said, they're both great motors. You might want to compare the availability of parts and service where you're located. Having more than one is nice in case one goes out of business/changes brands, or you have a bad experience with them.
It wasn't until after we bought the boat with the Suzuki that we found the nearest service was 60+ miles away, and the next closest was about 5 hours away. Fortunately, someone directed us to http://www.brownspoint.com for mail-order Suzuki parts.
--
Moe
BEACHPANDA posted 01-13-2005 06:30 AM ET (US)
Both being equal in reliability, I would think that the next issue is electrical load. I have Twin 150 Yamaha 4s on my boat, and I've not problems with the electronics load I put to use.
LOWRANCE
- Fish Finder/Depth
- GPS
STANDARD HORIZON
- VHF Radio
PANASONIC
- am/fm CD radio
RULE
- 2 x 800 gal/hr livewell pumps
However, the Honda has a higher Alternator Re-Charge rate (even at lower RPM) than the Yamaha. It's a choice of preference, but I think one that should be kept in mind, depending on the load you're running.
BEACHPANDA
saltspring posted 01-13-2005 10:05 AM ET (US)
Thank you everyone for your input - very helpful.
LHG posted 01-13-2005 03:43 PM ET (US)
Not sure it matters to you (it would to me), but the Yamaha is a much better looking outboard engine design, slimmer and in better proportions. That Honda 150 is one fat, ugly looking beast, quite large and wide, with a funny black strip in the center.
Vic Holmstrom posted 01-13-2005 06:58 PM ET (US)
Last June, Powerboat Reports published a comparison between the Yamaha F150 and the Honda BF150 on identical boats. The Yamaha pushed the boat 1 mph faster. They gave a slight edge to the Honda, however, because it was more fuel efficient at cruise speeds (3000-4500 rpm)and up to 4 decibels quieter in the higher rpm ranges.
jimh posted 01-14-2005 12:28 AM ET (US)
Don't under estimate a difference of 4 dB in sound level. Each dB represents a noticeable change in volume. Also, a 4 dB reduction is less than half the acoustic power. Or, put another way, the Yamaha makes more than TWICE as much noise.
c_mccann posted 01-14-2005 02:35 PM ET (US)
I am a Honda guy through and through, biased due to the number of trouble free hours I've had over the 5 Hondas I've owned (2,8,15,130,225, 3000 hours total). There is a big rave over the 135/150 models, though time will tell if they are good motors. Everything Honda makes has great success as far as reliability, and they have a no-nonsense warranty to cover them to boot. Having said that- have you considered the Suzuki 140? I've heard only good things about it. The only thing I've heard negative about Yammie is that their warranty can be challenging when you have a claim, though there has been many great outboards produced by them- they still make the best 2-stroke hands down, excluding the HDPI. I think my buddie's Yammie/Merc 225 is quiter than my Honda 225, despite the specs the tests give- but we all are more touchy around our own boats. My Honda dealer is also a Yammie dealer and he pushes the Hondas 3 to 1 over the Yammie, and everytime I've bought a new outboard (4 in the last 3 years) I ask about the Yamahas and he says not to bother, Honda is the one in the 4-stroke game. Also- what fuel is recommended in the Yamahas? 87 or 89 octane? Honda recommends 87, thank god- 150 gallons stings the wallet as it is. The Coast Guard uses Honda power on their tenders, I found out from Yamaha that Honda was picked over them due to reoccurring issues with the trim/tilt mechanism and the problems it was having at the time, basically attributed to an undersized unit for the weight of the 4-strokes. I still open the books everytime I opt for a new motor, but I always end up with a Honda- I love that techie stuff.
SuburbanBoy posted 01-14-2005 03:13 PM ET (US)
While at the NAIAS in Detroit earlier this week I noticed a 250 Hp Suzuki on the floor. I took a side and rear profile if anyone is interested. I also reviewed the Honda 150 and 225 while there. I believe the only shot of the Honda's I took was of the rigging.
All I need is a boat to mount them on. My 15 is a little too small.
sub
handn posted 01-18-2005 07:11 PM ET (US)
My YamaMerc 225s purr happily on Mexican regular gasoline, advertised as 87 octane but who knows.
My 225 Optimax was noisy on the same gas but quieted down with 1/10 92 octane Mexican premium at $3.00 per gallon.
The YamaMercs have good voltage regulars and don't cook my batteries, unlike the Optimax.
They are quiet!! I hear that Mercury designed and patented the soundshield and uses similar technology on Verados.
I am hard of hearing but can converse on the vhf cruising at 22 knots.
JOHN W MAYO posted 01-19-2005 01:55 PM ET (US)
I have been told that the 150 Yamaha is actually more like 156 hp.
There is another forum where I have read from one of the mechanics that regular post there to help people with engine problems, that the 150 hp Yamaha 4-stoke looks like it may very well be the best engine they have made so fare.

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Author	Topic: Yamaha vs.Honda - 4Strokes
saltspring	posted 01-12-2005 09:24 PM ET (US) Does anyone have strong views on the Yamaha 150 vs. the Honda 150?
alkar	posted 01-12-2005 09:44 PM ET (US) They're both great motors. In fact, I have not heard or read anything negative about either of them, but the new Honda 150 VTEC has recently gotten several glowing reviews. I had twin Honda 115s on my 22 foot Outrage. They were too heavy for a twin application on a heavy, small boat, but they were otherwise wonderful motors. The new Honda 150 actually makes 160 horsepower - and it weighs 25 pounds less than my 115s did. That's a couple steps in the right direction! I think you'd be delighted with the performance and reliability of either motor.
kglinz	posted 01-12-2005 10:53 PM ET (US) Saltspring Have you seen this thing on 100% tariffs on US boats. I don't fully understand it, but if you're planning to order a boat you might check.... http://www.pacificyachting.com/article.php?sid=299 .... http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partI/2004/20041123-x/html/extra-e.html
saltspring	posted 01-12-2005 11:18 PM ET (US) kglinz: I have been following the proceedings and it is all to do with the World Trade Organization WTO. A lot of sabre rattling between between various countries and the U.S. My gut feel is the part relating to a 100% duty on US boats coming into Canada won't happen, but you never know.
Roarque	posted 01-12-2005 11:51 PM ET (US) Saltspring, First, I hope the power's back on in Ganges Second, have you considered the Suzuki 140? HP to weight ratio is quite good for a four year old design. My experience has been good with Suzuki 4Strokes. Good dealers in Nanaimo and Courtney. Seldom get down to Vancouver.
Moe	posted 01-13-2005 12:16 AM ET (US) As said, they're both great motors. You might want to compare the availability of parts and service where you're located. Having more than one is nice in case one goes out of business/changes brands, or you have a bad experience with them. It wasn't until after we bought the boat with the Suzuki that we found the nearest service was 60+ miles away, and the next closest was about 5 hours away. Fortunately, someone directed us to http://www.brownspoint.com for mail-order Suzuki parts. -- Moe
BEACHPANDA	posted 01-13-2005 06:30 AM ET (US) Both being equal in reliability, I would think that the next issue is electrical load. I have Twin 150 Yamaha 4s on my boat, and I've not problems with the electronics load I put to use. LOWRANCE - Fish Finder/Depth - GPS STANDARD HORIZON - VHF Radio PANASONIC - am/fm CD radio RULE - 2 x 800 gal/hr livewell pumps However, the Honda has a higher Alternator Re-Charge rate (even at lower RPM) than the Yamaha. It's a choice of preference, but I think one that should be kept in mind, depending on the load you're running. BEACHPANDA
saltspring	posted 01-13-2005 10:05 AM ET (US) Thank you everyone for your input - very helpful.
LHG	posted 01-13-2005 03:43 PM ET (US) Not sure it matters to you (it would to me), but the Yamaha is a much better looking outboard engine design, slimmer and in better proportions. That Honda 150 is one fat, ugly looking beast, quite large and wide, with a funny black strip in the center.
Vic Holmstrom	posted 01-13-2005 06:58 PM ET (US) Last June, Powerboat Reports published a comparison between the Yamaha F150 and the Honda BF150 on identical boats. The Yamaha pushed the boat 1 mph faster. They gave a slight edge to the Honda, however, because it was more fuel efficient at cruise speeds (3000-4500 rpm)and up to 4 decibels quieter in the higher rpm ranges.
jimh	posted 01-14-2005 12:28 AM ET (US) Don't under estimate a difference of 4 dB in sound level. Each dB represents a noticeable change in volume. Also, a 4 dB reduction is less than half the acoustic power. Or, put another way, the Yamaha makes more than TWICE as much noise.
c_mccann	posted 01-14-2005 02:35 PM ET (US) I am a Honda guy through and through, biased due to the number of trouble free hours I've had over the 5 Hondas I've owned (2,8,15,130,225, 3000 hours total). There is a big rave over the 135/150 models, though time will tell if they are good motors. Everything Honda makes has great success as far as reliability, and they have a no-nonsense warranty to cover them to boot. Having said that- have you considered the Suzuki 140? I've heard only good things about it. The only thing I've heard negative about Yammie is that their warranty can be challenging when you have a claim, though there has been many great outboards produced by them- they still make the best 2-stroke hands down, excluding the HDPI. I think my buddie's Yammie/Merc 225 is quiter than my Honda 225, despite the specs the tests give- but we all are more touchy around our own boats. My Honda dealer is also a Yammie dealer and he pushes the Hondas 3 to 1 over the Yammie, and everytime I've bought a new outboard (4 in the last 3 years) I ask about the Yamahas and he says not to bother, Honda is the one in the 4-stroke game. Also- what fuel is recommended in the Yamahas? 87 or 89 octane? Honda recommends 87, thank god- 150 gallons stings the wallet as it is. The Coast Guard uses Honda power on their tenders, I found out from Yamaha that Honda was picked over them due to reoccurring issues with the trim/tilt mechanism and the problems it was having at the time, basically attributed to an undersized unit for the weight of the 4-strokes. I still open the books everytime I opt for a new motor, but I always end up with a Honda- I love that techie stuff.
SuburbanBoy	posted 01-14-2005 03:13 PM ET (US) While at the NAIAS in Detroit earlier this week I noticed a 250 Hp Suzuki on the floor. I took a side and rear profile if anyone is interested. I also reviewed the Honda 150 and 225 while there. I believe the only shot of the Honda's I took was of the rigging. All I need is a boat to mount them on. My 15 is a little too small. sub
handn	posted 01-18-2005 07:11 PM ET (US) My YamaMerc 225s purr happily on Mexican regular gasoline, advertised as 87 octane but who knows. My 225 Optimax was noisy on the same gas but quieted down with 1/10 92 octane Mexican premium at $3.00 per gallon. The YamaMercs have good voltage regulars and don't cook my batteries, unlike the Optimax. They are quiet!! I hear that Mercury designed and patented the soundshield and uses similar technology on Verados. I am hard of hearing but can converse on the vhf cruising at 22 knots.
JOHN W MAYO	posted 01-19-2005 01:55 PM ET (US) I have been told that the 150 Yamaha is actually more like 156 hp. There is another forum where I have read from one of the mechanics that regular post there to help people with engine problems, that the 150 hp Yamaha 4-stoke looks like it may very well be the best engine they have made so fare.