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Author Topic:   Four-stroke Motor Brand Suggestions

copwad posted 05-07-2006 11:20 AM ET (US)
[Editor's note: This is the first article contributed from this author to our collection. This article was originally appended to a three-year-old discussion on a slightly different topic. I have separated it from that discussion. I have obscured the brand names in his recommendation until we learn more from this author about his experience with the three different engine brands he had mentioned. To condem an entire brand of engines will require further explanation and participation from this author. Really, we don't even accept this sort of blanket judgement from even our most seasoned and respected contributors, so I am strongly disinclined to permit it here on an initial article. All authors, however, are welcome to provide details of their first hand experiences with their motor and are encouraged to do so.]
I have a new 2004 60-HP four-stroke. It has been in the shop three times in a year. Each time, [the problem] is either electrical or water pressure/pump problems. I didn't want [this brand of outboard motor] at all, however it came with the boat as a package.
My suggestion to all, go [with other brands] if you want a good four-stroke. I have had [two other brands]!
mikeyairtime posted 05-08-2006 08:29 PM ET (US)
I'm on my second [outboard engine a particular brand] and have had really good luck. My 90-HP four-stroke is two years old and runs like a champ. The 90-HP engine I have uses a [power head which has been manufactured by another brand and adpated to use a different mid-section, gear case, cowling, and electrical harness].
jimh posted 05-08-2006 08:37 PM ET (US)
In the United States, many boats are sold with a mandatory tie-in sale of a particular brand of outboard motor. This makes it very difficult to follow your advice on the purchase of a new boat.
bigjohn1 posted 05-08-2006 09:39 PM ET (US)
Based upon what I read in various boating forums, your experience is not the norm for that engine. Can you go into a little more "detail" on what your specific problems (and dealer solutions) were. This is very useful to other owners as oftentimes, we don't hear the entire story when reading of second-hand accounts of outboard troubles - no matter what brand.
jimh posted 05-09-2006 09:41 AM ET (US)
I don't think it is unusual for an new four-stroke outboard motor to require service on the electrical components or the water pump during its first year of operation. For example, it is common for the spark plugs to be checked and re-gapped. Sometimes they are replaced. Also, the water pump can require service at any time depending on the water in which it has been operated. An engine whose cooling system ingests sand from silty water may require replacement of the water pump impeller no matter how few hours of previous operation had taken place.
Before I can accept a condemnation of an entire brand of motors, I need more data. Please explain further about the history of this motor which has led you to make a recommendation to avoid this brand entirely. Also, please give more data about your experience with the brands you recommend. In this way we will be able to evaluate your recommendation and your experience with these engines. Thank you.
soggy bottom boy posted 05-10-2006 09:10 PM ET (US)
Test
soggy bottom boy posted 05-10-2006 09:19 PM ET (US)

I have experience with small Yamaha and Mercury 4 strokes in the 15 to 25 hp range.
The Yamaha was very hard to start in cool, colder tempratures. I duck hunt in November/December and this became a joke among my buddies. It also started oozing oil from the drive leg. An oil slick behind a 4 stroke seemed counter intuitive. This was a 1998 short shaft, carbed motor. I sold it this spring, and it looked like new.
The Mercury 25hp I have run since 2005 is considerably better IMO. Runs smoother, controls seem more ergonomic, etc. It is a 2000 Big Foot model, carbed. While still stiff on cold days, it sparks up much quicker than the Yamaha for whatever reason.
I want to repower a 13 Whaler that currently has a 25 hp Yamaha 4 stroke on it and am considering going to Mercury EFI model of higher hp.
Soggy.


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Author	Topic: Four-stroke Motor Brand Suggestions
copwad	posted 05-07-2006 11:20 AM ET (US) [Editor's note: This is the first article contributed from this author to our collection. This article was originally appended to a three-year-old discussion on a slightly different topic. I have separated it from that discussion. I have obscured the brand names in his recommendation until we learn more from this author about his experience with the three different engine brands he had mentioned. To condem an entire brand of engines will require further explanation and participation from this author. Really, we don't even accept this sort of blanket judgement from even our most seasoned and respected contributors, so I am strongly disinclined to permit it here on an initial article. All authors, however, are welcome to provide details of their first hand experiences with their motor and are encouraged to do so.] I have a new 2004 60-HP four-stroke. It has been in the shop three times in a year. Each time, [the problem] is either electrical or water pressure/pump problems. I didn't want [this brand of outboard motor] at all, however it came with the boat as a package. My suggestion to all, go [with other brands] if you want a good four-stroke. I have had [two other brands]!
mikeyairtime	posted 05-08-2006 08:29 PM ET (US) I'm on my second [outboard engine a particular brand] and have had really good luck. My 90-HP four-stroke is two years old and runs like a champ. The 90-HP engine I have uses a [power head which has been manufactured by another brand and adpated to use a different mid-section, gear case, cowling, and electrical harness].
jimh	posted 05-08-2006 08:37 PM ET (US) In the United States, many boats are sold with a mandatory tie-in sale of a particular brand of outboard motor. This makes it very difficult to follow your advice on the purchase of a new boat.
bigjohn1	posted 05-08-2006 09:39 PM ET (US) Based upon what I read in various boating forums, your experience is not the norm for that engine. Can you go into a little more "detail" on what your specific problems (and dealer solutions) were. This is very useful to other owners as oftentimes, we don't hear the entire story when reading of second-hand accounts of outboard troubles - no matter what brand.
jimh	posted 05-09-2006 09:41 AM ET (US) I don't think it is unusual for an new four-stroke outboard motor to require service on the electrical components or the water pump during its first year of operation. For example, it is common for the spark plugs to be checked and re-gapped. Sometimes they are replaced. Also, the water pump can require service at any time depending on the water in which it has been operated. An engine whose cooling system ingests sand from silty water may require replacement of the water pump impeller no matter how few hours of previous operation had taken place. Before I can accept a condemnation of an entire brand of motors, I need more data. Please explain further about the history of this motor which has led you to make a recommendation to avoid this brand entirely. Also, please give more data about your experience with the brands you recommend. In this way we will be able to evaluate your recommendation and your experience with these engines. Thank you.
soggy bottom boy	posted 05-10-2006 09:10 PM ET (US) Test
soggy bottom boy	posted 05-10-2006 09:19 PM ET (US) I have experience with small Yamaha and Mercury 4 strokes in the 15 to 25 hp range. The Yamaha was very hard to start in cool, colder tempratures. I duck hunt in November/December and this became a joke among my buddies. It also started oozing oil from the drive leg. An oil slick behind a 4 stroke seemed counter intuitive. This was a 1998 short shaft, carbed motor. I sold it this spring, and it looked like new. The Mercury 25hp I have run since 2005 is considerably better IMO. Runs smoother, controls seem more ergonomic, etc. It is a 2000 Big Foot model, carbed. While still stiff on cold days, it sparks up much quicker than the Yamaha for whatever reason. I want to repower a 13 Whaler that currently has a 25 hp Yamaha 4 stroke on it and am considering going to Mercury EFI model of higher hp. Soggy.