what's the best outboard motor ?

(da_moose) · (da_moose) **Join Date: Feb 2004** 03-28-2007, 1:29 PM

what is it?

(95sn) · (95sn) **Join Date: Sep 2005** 03-28-2007, 1:39 PM

The new Evinrude 2 strokes. I watched a ad/dvd they are more powerful, quieter, more economic and cleaner burning. Probably more expensive too.

(akdoc) · (akdoc) **Join Date: Feb 2004** 03-28-2007, 2:09 PM

I would say Yamaha HPDI or a Merc Opti Pro XS. Both direct injection and less problems then Rudes.

(denverd1)

yamaha. the preferred outboard engine of ocean-going vessels in third world countries.

bocephus 03-28-2007, 2:32 PM

uhhh, that all depends on what you are going to use them for. I used to have 2 2.5 mercs on my old Hallet, but they wouldn't be that good on the old houseboat...

(rallyart) · (rallyart) **Join Date: Nov 2006** 03-28-2007, 2:47 PM

Depends on the power. I have a newer Yamaha 4hp that is much too heavy and less powerful an old Merc I had and an old Evinrude I still have. The Merc was the fastest of them all but it died. The Evinrude still starts on one pull. The Yamaha is not quite heavy enough to be an anchor so I still use it when I need a workout.

Sorry, I know nothing about the real outboards.

(mrm2083) · (mrm2083) **Join Date: Nov 2005** 03-28-2007, 3:02 PM

Definitely yamahas. Mercs suck, and everything else doesnt have as large a range of support. You can get yamahas serviced anywhere, if it even breaks. The new mercury verados seem like they could be great for wakeboarding as you can get them now with a cruise control, so no more having to worry about holding speed with an outboard!

(big_ed_x2) · (big_ed_x2) **Join Date: Jul 2004** 03-30-2007, 9:00 AM

I would say Evinrude but the 3rd world countries use Johnson(sp)?

(denverd1)

Big Ed - everything i saw in the carribean and south of the gulf of mexico was yamadog. where is johnson popular?

(nickbot) · (nickbot) **Join Date: Feb 2007** 03-30-2007, 9:17 AM

'70's Evinrude

(tacosupreme) · (tacosupreme) **Join Date: May 2003** 03-30-2007, 10:02 AM

I gotta go with the 70's Johnson. Had a 200 merc that was a piece. 79 Johnson is still going strong.

(krbaugh) · (krbaugh) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 03-30-2007, 5:23 PM

I had several 200 dfi Mercs they were great Great!

This is like asking what is the best boat
10 people will give you 10 different answers

(timmy) · (timmy) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 03-30-2007, 5:49 PM

johnson = evinrude

(drewsnautique94)

yamadog

(habcaw_creek) · (habcaw_creek) **Join Date: Mar 2005** 03-31-2007, 8:15 AM

No yamaha 4 stroke will ever brake. of course im exaggerating but i live in Charleston SC where there are 2 wakeboats and then everyone else has a center console. 9 out of 10 boats here have yamaha 4 strokes and i have never heard of these breaking. My uncle had a 100 hp 4 strokeb but it wasnt efi, it was a 2000 and carburated, and it had problems. My friends Contender has a 1996 250 2 stroke saltwater series that flat out sucks, but the 4 stroke efis are as solid as it gets.

(the_right_kind)

Yamaha, Honda then Merc and Bombardier not even close.
But hey, that's just me.
We just bought a new Tohatsu 9.8 for our inflatable. It's lighter and cheaper than all of the above and has a great rep.
If I needed a bigger engine, 150 or more, I'd look at Yamaha or Honda.

(Message edited by the_right_kind on March 31, 2007)

walt 03-31-2007, 8:29 AM

quote:
johnson = evinrude

Correct.

(big_ed_x2) · (big_ed_x2) **Join Date: Jul 2004** 03-31-2007, 9:40 AM

Nacho,In Europe Johnson is all they use there.

So I guess if Johnson = Evinrude......That would be your best choice!

(wakebrdr38) · (wakebrdr38) **Join Date: Sep 2006** 03-31-2007, 10:26 AM

we gotta honda 4 stroke on our 13ft whaler, its reallly quiet and performs awesome

(lakeski) · (lakeski) **Join Date: Dec 2006** 03-31-2007, 3:47 PM

Our 1967 Kiekhaefer/Mercury 60 is still going as strong as when it was new. Great engine... they don't build them like this any more.

(da_moose) · (da_moose) **Join Date: Feb 2004** 03-31-2007, 4:27 PM

I have been looking @ Evinrude

(the_right_kind)

I have a good conection for Honda's here in So Cal if you want to compare $
Let me know.

(luchog) · (luchog) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 04-04-2007, 3:40 PM

1978 Kiekhaefer/Mercury 80 still running good!!!

(longhornfan) · (longhornfan) **Join Date: Oct 2005** 04-05-2007, 11:26 AM

I've heard the Mercury outboards are expensive for parts and a bastard to work on. Don't have any personal experience with them though so I can't say for sure.

(uncc_grad) · (uncc_grad) **Join Date: Mar 2007** 04-05-2007, 11:51 AM

If you've been looking at the Evinrudes, I'm sure you've looked at the E-Tecs. A buddy of mine has a 75hp E-Tec on the back of his 20' Crestliner jon boat and it has been flawless. very quiet, easy starting and excellent fuel economy.

I've got a 1984 3 cylinder Evinrude 70hp that runs like new. It replaced an '89 Merc 50hp. Comparing the two, the rude is a MUCH more simple engine, but seems to be built better. The OMC (Johnson-Evinrude) guys really had it down when they made the 3 cylinders. If I'm not mistaken, that design was used from the 60's all the way up to the late 90's with very little changes. Parts are cheap and easily accessible(some are even carried at NAPA of all places!) If you are looking for a soild and dependable mid-HP motor and looking for a great deal, check out the 3 cylinder Johnsons and Rudes. I picked mine up from a guy who repowered his pontoon with a 4 stroke...paid $650 and added a salavged power trim unit from my local boat shop for $125.

I also need to state that the Yamaha 90hp 2 strokes are nearly direct copies of the old OMC design.

(Message edited by uncc_grad on April 05, 2007)

(rrbooker) · (rrbooker) **Join Date: Feb 2003** 04-05-2007, 1:09 PM