Marine mechanic information required

I'm not a marine mechanic but I can tell you what I have.

4.85 plate alloy boat that weighs around 700kg all up with fuel but no people on board.
I have a late model 60hp Yamaha 2 stroke (all electronic) and it will hold 50kph with 4 adults and an 8yo, 70 lt of fuel and extra water and all the normal extra junk and fishing gear that you seem to take with you.Image Could Not Be Found

Good on fuel and as it is computer controlled oil injection it uses suprisingly little oil too.

Cheers
Dave

Hi Mainey.

I have an Evinrude 2 Stroke E-tec which I'm extremely happy with. Chk out the Evinrude site for promotional stuff re the respective merits of 2 vs 4 strokes.

The E-tecs don't need servicing until 3 years and the only every 3 years thereafter. Warranty is 3 years.

Cheers.

Mainey, i believe the best Outboard money can buy is the Yamaha 4 stroke. After them i would only go either Suzuki 4 stroke or Evinrude E Tec. I would say you would want a minimum of 60hp, especially to push the tides comfortably around here. Im only really qualified to speak about Yamahas as thats all i've ever been around and never experienced any dramas at all except buggered props. Although i do know a few blokes with new Suzuki 4 strokes and they are pretty impressed with them. If money is no object go the Yamaha 4 stroke, if moneys a little tight go the Yamaha 2 stroke. I wouldnt buy anything else if i could afford it.

Hi Maîneÿ

I've got TWO 50HP Yamaha 4 strokes on the back of my 6m Cairns Custom Craft. Very happy with the fuel economy (27litres in 4 hours trolling for Mackerel). My problem is I don't use them enough.

Two years ago cost me $1600 to service the two motors (remove carbies (8), etc) at the local Yamaha dealer. Now I'm up for removing and cleaning the carbies again. This time I went elsewhere (he's currently doing both motors again - Noel at NQ Outboard Wreckers 07 4774 8330 - I reckon HE could tell you in a flash what NOT to buy).

He also advised me to start both motors for a few minutes every couple of weeks. Reason is, not only the fuel keeps carbies "refreshed" but also the water pump impellors have rubber offset thingos. If they stay stationery for too long, they set hard in that position. When you start the motor the fingers snap off. Notwithstanding that, they should be replaced evry couple of years.

Mate, you think 4x4 are expensive ..... wait until you've had a boat for a while ;-)

Malcolm

As an example, i had a 4.3m centre console with a yamaha 3 cyclinder 40hp....

As you explained, you may need an expert as your vessel may have a weight and/or HP/kW limit on the transom.

We just purchase a new motor for a 4.5m rescue boat and found out that we had to go honda 50hp over yamaha 50/60hp (same motor just derated) due to the weight limitations of the motor.

Good luck.

Andrew

I have one of these 50 hp Honda pushing a 4.75 mt sea jay Territory, it does the job great.

Looks like we are all experts :-) Not - Just a satisfied user.

I would suggest around a max of 50 and a 4stroke Suzuki

Why - I have used Suzuki for years and swear by them - never broken down. My latest 4 stroke is bullet proof (up to date). I think they have the best weight stats of all the 4 strokes and they make a excellent motor. Great petrol consumption. You do have to get your services for warranty and they are not cheap. But its once a year if you are not doing the hours.

Tight Lines - Cheers Tony

Yamaha's have an excellent reputation (I have one on my tinny and happy as with it) My extended family have had Mariners (6, 15 and 50hp) for many years with excellent reliability and service.

We had nothing but trouble with Mercury's but that was a few decades ago so is probably not applicable now, especially as Mercury make Mariner.

Don't get me started in Mercruiser for our big boat - we definitely DO NEED a mechanic NOW that knows what they are doing on a V8 Mercuiser with issues in the Northside of Brisbane. The Mechanics we have used have cost us nearly the price of a brand new motor ($$$ 5 figures) with their incompetence and the motor is still not fixed. I will be talking to lawyers as soon as I get back from this trip it is not fixed.

We have tried 2 different workshops now, the second to fix the stuff ups of the first workshop which they did successfully, then serviced the engine and added their own problems that they cannot seem to fix that caused us to get towed in a coupe, of weeks ago.


Stevesub

Hi Mainey

I have a EFI 4 stroke 50 hp Mercury on a 4.6m side console quintrex topender and are very happy with it. I initially would have prefered a Yamaha but this was how the boat was packaged when I bought it.

I mentioned this to my marine mechanic when I was getting it serviced recently(who is not brand specific) and he said that mercury parts are quite a bit cheaper to purchase than Yamaha ones but both are excellent motors.
He said to stay away from E Tec motors if you intend on keeping it longer than the warranty period as they are expensive to fix and difficult to work on.

My recommendation is to err on more horsepower not less (noting more frustrating than an underpowered boat) and to choose one of the major brands ie Yamaha or Mercury purely on the basis that they have the best support infastructure for servicing and spares, you want something that can be readily fixed if there is a problem! In the same manner as getting a Toyota/Nissan in the bush over say a Landrover or other exotic european make.


Thats my 2 bobs worth.

Good luck chasing the Barra

Have looked at these outboards on the net, would like to hear from any guys with them, relevant to their running and servicing costs and their opinions.

I’ve watched various (sales) video's put out by manufacturers, showing the comparison between their outboard and their oppositions, some are just soo funny it makes you want to cry, watching an E-tec drag a Yammy 4 stroke backwards - under water, even looks realistic :)

However, have not seen anywhere a comparison between a Honda outboard with any other brand, makes me wonder if Honda is a better outboard and they are just not game enough to compare their motor with a Honda, in case the Honda wins ??

SUZUKI
60 hp, 3 cyl, 941 cc, 5300 - 6300 *wot, 104 kg, 5 yr warranty (1st choice)
70 hp, 4 cyl, 1502 cc, 5000 - 6000 *wot, 156 kg, 5 yr warranty

HONDA
60 hp, 3 cyl, 998 cc, 5000 - 6000 *wot, 110 kg, 5 yr warranty (2nd choice)

MERCURY
60 hp, 4 cyl, 995 cc, 5500 - 6000 *wot, 112 kg, 3 yr warranty

YAMAHA
60 hp, 4 cyl, 996 cc, 5000 - 6000 *wot, 116 kg, 4 yr warranty

( above are all 4 stroke motors )


EVENRUDE “E-tec” ( 2 stroke motor )
60 hp, 2 cyl, 863 cc, 5500 - 6000 *wot, 113 kg, 3 yr warranty
70 hp, 3 cyl, 1295 cc, 4500 - 5500 *wot, 145 kg, 3 yr warranty

( * Wide Open Throttle )

Hull is rated @ 70 hp, so motors rated above specs are not included

Maîneÿ . . .

Hi Mainey

I use outboards regularly as my business is on the water. I have a yahama 15 2-stroke that has been flawless, a mercury 40 efi 4 stroke that is smooth, quiet and miserly on fuel, also flawless, albiet a little expensive to service ($300-$400) and a 50hp Tohatsu TLDI that is again flawless but cheap to service and extremely economical. The TLDI is direct injection 2 stroke technology, therefore no carbies to get gummed up during lack of use.

I think most modern outboards are extremely reliable provided they are regularly serviced. So it just comes down to price really.

If i were looking at a 70hp motor I'd consider the Tohatsu. the design has been around for at least 8 years and has proven very reliable as far as I'm aware. While there aren't as quiet as a 4 stroke they only require servicing every 200 hours (which last cost me $175) plus they have great accleleration out of the hole compared to a sometimes sluggish 4 stroke.

Anyway my 2 cents worth.

Good Luck

As a marine mechanic for 30 years or so, I would think that a Mercury 60 hp efi 4stroke would be an ideal choice (yes I work for a Mercury Dealership). But be aware they need regular servicing and it can get expensive. Evinrude Etecs are a very good product, but I would strongly advise the use of the evinrude xd100 oil in these engines. Also some people can feel the changes in the spray pattern of the injectors and, it can be off putting to some. I do not support the servicing every 3 years. They use the same water pumps, gear oil, water seperating fuel filters of Johnson outboards of days gone by. I would recommend a full service every 3 years and a preseason service and laptop check on each of the other years. Hope this helps

back from the Mandurah Boat Show advertised as "3rd largest boat show" in Australia

Did not see any Suzuki motors there on any boat, definately no Suzuki company stand Grrr.

As one of their compeditors said, "if you need service or spares when travelling with a Suzuki your not going to be very happy" and advised me to stay with the recognised leaders in outboard motors.

Looked at all makes there...... HONDA BF60 looks a winner !!

Maîneÿ . . .