posted 03-06-2008 08:49 PM ET (US)        

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My old 1987 Evinrude 40-HP has some pitting in the cylinders and some corrosion, and I think it's time to replace it. I'd like to replace it with a four-cycle due to limitations of two-cycle motors in California lakes like Tahoe. Light weight is important I think so I was thinking about the Yamaha 40-HP four-cycle. [Seeks replies from people who have] experience with this motor. I know it's a carburetor rather than injected motor, but, other than that, [give me] an opinion on the engine either way?

General comments welcome about repowering my baby.

posted 03-10-2008 07:48 PM ET (US)            

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California limits on engine use are not based on the power cycle. They are based on the emission level. You can use a two-cycle motor on any lake as long as it meets the emission requirements.

Yamaha four-cycle motors are rated highest in customer satisfaction by J. D. Power.

posted 03-10-2008 11:46 PM ET (US)         

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Get the Merc! The Yamaha 40 has a powerhead made by Mercury anyway, all now from Merc's China plant. Check out the block specs. They are identical with Merc's.

The fact that Mercury makes the Yamaha block appears to be a well guarded secret by Yamaha. But then again, maybe it's just a 1 to 1000 chance that Yamaha just accidentally and independently designed their own 40, 50 and 60 4-strokes with exactly the same specs and parts that the Merc's use. Mercury first started making short blocks in Fond du Lac for Yamaha's lower mid range 4-strokes in 1994, when the Joint Venture 50's were brought out by both manufacturers, based on the Merc blocks. Those engines, with those specs, ceased production in 2002 when Mercury brought out their own line of 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's.

posted 03-11-2008 08:21 AM ET (US)            

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As long as we are speculating about the strange possibility that arch-rivals Mercury and Yamaha are still cooperating in secret to make engines for each other, while they publicly behave with extreme hostility, like filing law suites against each other, or launching USITC investigations into illegal importation of outboards, we ought to consider a much simpler explanation:

I think that the Yamaha motors are made by Yamaha. They must have a lot of excess manufacturing capability now that they have stopped selling Mercury all those power heads for the 90, 115-, and 225-HP four-cycle motors. I think Yamaha just converted that assembly line they used to have for making 90 and 115-HP power head for Mercury into one for making the 40 and 50-HP motors.

That makes a lot more sense than shipping unfinished engine block castings 28,000 miles from point of manufacture to point of sale.

posted 03-12-2008 03:23 PM ET (US)            

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Thanks for all the information.

My reasons for going with Yamaha are mostly weight. The Yamaha 40 is 20 to 50-lbs lighter than E-TEC and Mercury, and Honda and Suzuki too for that matter. I think my 1987 Evinrude is 183-lbs, and the Yamaha is 185-lbs. My 1987 Alert (Utility) has LOTS of stuff on it like an all-around SST rail, Console, two batteries, downriggers, tackle box storage in the back that make weight an issue. I usually carry two or three people in the boat and equipment.

Thanks for the information on emissions. Tahoe will allow all four-cycle motors on the lake and will allow low-emission two-cycle motors like the E-TEC.

I'm just looking for a warm fuzzy about plopping down $5,000 on the Yamaha, so that's why I'm asking for people's experiences one way or another.

Also, any buyer's guides or comparisons that anyone has come across would be great.

posted 03-22-2008 11:06 PM ET (US)            

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I did repower my 1980 13' sport with a Yamaha 40 four stroke. I recommend this motor highly. It is a bit heavier than the Evinrude 35 that it replaced but so far It has been a very nice combination.

The motor sips fuel and has plenty of power for my 13. It will run in the low 30 mph range loaded with 2 adults and a 9 year old and all our fishing gear. I would recommend going with the power trim version. The motor is extremely quiet even when running flat out across the lake. I took the boat to Tahoe last September and it performed great even at the nearly 7000 foot elevation. I don't think you will be disappointed with the Yamaha.

posted 03-25-2008 01:42 PM ET (US)            

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I had a 50 hp Yamaha carbureted 4/s on my smirkless Katama 16 and liked it very much. It was only '2-Star' compliant, however. Between my use and that of the 'new' owner, CW member Steve/17 Bodega, the motor has had about one thousand hours of flawless salt water use in the somewhat challenging ocean environment north of San Francisco. On the other hand, check out this topic just posted by Jim:

http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/006003.html

Good luck with your choice.

Tony

posted 04-20-2008 11:55 PM ET (US)            

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Although California may regulate lakes, regional boards and water districts also regulated lakes in California. The Tahoe Basin has a local district that sets standards. Water reservoirs are regulated by their lead agency which might band or limit the use of fueled engines to prevent hydrocarbon pollution in the lake.

That is why Lake Tahoe (no.cal) has a standard that Clear Lake (no.cal) and Lake Don Pedro (no.cal)doesn't.