Motor manufacturer ratings?

[Maineman]

Hi everyone,
I'm brand new to motorboating. I've been reading on this forum for a while now and have learned so much. I'm very grateful to all of you for the education. But I need some advice. It looks like we're going to be able to buy a new boat this winter, most likely a 18-20 foot Eastern or Seaway. I've been talking to everyone about motor options (we're considering honda, tohatsu, evinrude or yamaha), and, as you'd expect, everyone has strong and opposing views. I'm wondering if there is some clearing house of ratings (sort of like Consumer Reports) for boat motors.
Thanks again.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Motor manufacturer ratings?

exactly consumer reports. they are all great engine. honda, tohatsu, yamaha, are all 4 stroke, the evinrude will be an Etec 2 stroke. they all have claims to be the best. but i really do not think there is one really better than the other. i perfer the Etec, for one reason, weight. why pay fuel cost to push the extra weight of the motor.

 

[ziemann]

Re: Motor manufacturer ratings?

Keep doing exactly what you are doing. This is the kind of research that allows you to decide what is most important to you and then find a glass slipper that fits your foot.

Please don't over look the importance of the dealer. If you find a dealer you really like, then don't be afraid to allow that to help influence your purchasing decision....

Pretty much all of today's outboards are great!-- but a good dealer can make all of the difference later down the road if you have issues....

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Motor manufacturer ratings?

The most important thing you can consider when powering this boat is the horsepower of the motor. Check the capacity plate on the boat and do not install an engine that is rated less than 75% of the maximum rated HP. If the boats maximum HP rating is 200, do not install an engine less than 150 HP. I tend to use the 80% number. Obviously optimum performance will be with the maximum rated HP. The thought here is that a small engine working its guts out will consume nearly as much fuel as a larger engine that is loafing. The performance benefit of the larger engine should be obvious.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Motor manufacturer ratings?

I would never recommend to a newbie to get a fire breathing dragon, but I'm just curious. Where did this rule of thumb come from? I've never heard of it before outside of the iBoats forum. Goggling turned up nada. Been through Power Squadron - nada. Nothing on the State safety course test. None of the neighbors ever heard of this (pushing a thousand years boating experience - two with commercial Capt.s license) . Just curious...thought I would of heard something after (close to) half a century.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Motor manufacturer ratings?

Small recreational boats have a maximum HP capacity plate for a reason whereas larger blue water boats do not. Max HP recommendations are made based on boat design (hull type, beam, length, freeboard, etc) and there is a formula for determining the rating. Talk to anyone that has a conventional "v-hull" boat powered by an engine rated less than 75% of its maximum and that person will likely tell you the boat is a hog out of the hole, or is just a marginal performer and will blame the engine. That same person will likely appear on the PROP forum looking for a way to get better hole, shot, better economy, and higher top speed all by chaning the prop. You and I both know that is not a realistic goal and the reason he/she is asking is because the boat is simply underpowered. Just because a particular boat is powered at its maximum HP rating does not make it a rocket. Pontoons come to mind. Some boats need lots of power and are rated for it, others don't need a lot of power to perform well. Flat bottom tinnies comes to mind. Nevertheless, the 75% figure is as was mentioned "a rule of thumb" and a very valid one at that. One persons idea of a good performing boat may be very different than another persons view of the same boat. I can use my walleye boat (Alumacraft 165CS) as an example. The boat is rated 75 HP max. I bought the boat new with no pre-rig and installed a 40 HP Envinrude from my previous boat. The boat was an absolute slug with 53% of maximum power. I tried all the usual stuff including Smart Tabs, various props, and engine height settings and finally determined to end this nonsense. I installed a 75 HP Merc and in an instant the boat was transformed from a slug to an excellent performer. Add the amount of money spent on props, tabs (would have added them anyway) and my time and it would have made more sense to add the right amount of power to start with.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Motor manufacturer ratings?

USCG mandates a hp rating tag for 20' and under.
Granted each boat/motor setup is different.
Still curious as to origin of the rule of thumb.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Motor manufacturer ratings?

I'm with Silvertip. If you can afford it, buy the maximum horsepower for which the boat is rated. Boats are rarely used for only the original purpose for which they were bought. They always get more gear added. The larger engine will provide a better experience and no one says you MUST use it at full throttle. AND-- if the weater gets bad, it's nice to have the reserve to get back faster.

That's a 140 on a 170 rated hull in my avatar. Reason it doesn't have a 170? 140 was the largest Chrysler I could get.

 

[BIGcarpy50]

Re: Motor manufacturer ratings?

if you can afford i would go with any E-tec Evinrude has taken alot of pride in builiding this series. Look at some of the data...i think the TUG of WAR is the best video ever in regards to boating http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Motor manufacturer ratings?

I've used the 80% thing (+ / - either way) since way back when we had the marina and selling / rigging new boats. Just kinda grew up with it. I look at it from a safety point - like the weather as Frank mentioned. Anytime someone is thinking about a motor that puts them below 75-80% I always like to ask not only about the weather but what if someone is sick or hurt? I think it's much safer to have it and not need (or use) it rather than need it and not have it.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Motor manufacturer ratings?

Look up JD Powers, it is based on actual owner surveys and the companies have no input into the results unlike say an industry mag that depends on the manufacurers for ad revenue, they will talk up anything if it will get them ad money.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Motor manufacturer ratings?

Where did this rule of thumb come from? I've never heard of it before outside of the iBoats forum. Goggling turned up nada. Been through Power Squadron - nada. Nothing on the State safety course test. None of the neighbors ever heard of this (pushing a thousand years boating experience - two with commercial Capt.s license) . Just curious...thought I would of heard something after (close to) half a century.

The 75% minimum hp recommendation is mentioned in the Johnson-Evinrude rigging manuals, training DVD's, and taught at the training centers.

I believe Yamaha literature mentions the recommendation also in their rigging manual.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Motor manufacturer ratings?

I've heard of it.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Motor manufacturer ratings?

JD Powers only rates manufacturers that PAY to be rated and depends only on registrations that are furnished to them by said manufacturers. I wonder how many manufacturers fail to forward all of their warranty registrations? I would suspect that some of those manufacturers probably leave out registrations that have had a warranty claim filed or are known problem customers. Naaaa! Outboard manufacturers would never do that....Cause they are soooo honest!

 

[5150abf]

Re: Motor manufacturer ratings?

I really don't think that is correct, I know you have to pay them to get the report and to use their name when you win but manufacturers have nothing to do with the proccess of rating the boats/cars ect.

When I get back to work(in 3 weeks!) I will ask around and see who is right.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Motor manufacturer ratings?

"manufacturers have nothing to do with the process of rating the boats/cars ect."

I didn't say that they did....What they do control is whether they pay to be included in the survey and they control what warranty registrations are used to determine who(the consumer) gets to be surveyed.

I remember when my oldest found out there was no Santa....She was so disillusioned

 

[sschefer]

Re: Motor manufacturer ratings?

This is probably the best clearing house you can find. Go through the posts and count the negatives and positives by manufacturer for the engine you are interested in. That should give you a pretty good indication of manufacturer reputation.

However, if you want to be able to read between the lines before you buy new, go to the Securities Exchange Commission and read the reports to stockholders. These reports can tell you who's in trouble and who's having trouble and may be taking shortcuts. It can be a real eye opener.

 

[Maineman]

Re: Motor manufacturer ratings?

Thanks everyone.

I think I've narrowed my choices down to Evinrude's ETec or Honda's 4 Stroke. I thought I was settled on a Honda, then I watched Evinrude's convincing marketing videos on their website. Now I'm not sure.

Without starting a battle royal, what do you guys think of these two brands? Thank you very much for your advice.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Motor manufacturer ratings?

Had 1 friend that had a Honda. Actually she had 6 of them. She's a guide and runs them hard but takes excellent care of them. All six cracked blocks but Honda replaced each and every one of them. That say's something. She finally got to the point where she couldn't afford any more downtime and switched to Yamaha. She has nothing but good things to say. As for the Etec's, I think they're a little new just yet. Somebody has to test them and I'd just as soon not be one of the testers.

I just bought a new Yamaha F150. It was overpriced by most standards but all the reports, recommendations and info I could find said it was the best motor for me.

 

[DeonCarpenter]

Re: Motor manufacturer ratings?

I don?t know a lot about outboards but my ?85 140 Evinrude had over 2600 hours on it when I sold it and it never needed a major repair. Currently I have a ?98 Mercury and has one problem after another. It has recently been rebuilt but I would gladly trade it even for an Evinrude of the same year and horsepower.