2 options what would you do

[XJdude]

I'm looking at 2 possible motors for my 12' aluminum Starcraft. just wondering about pp's opinions. as to what you would lean towards. the first is a 97 Merc9.9. 800$. the other is a 1990 johnson 9.9. 650$. both Canadian $$. I'm looking for ease of operation, ease of working on, parts availability, because I am cheap redneck. and I like to work on my own stuff, cheers

 

[Scott Danforth]

I myself would lean towards the merc

 

[racerone]

The Johnson has a better grade lower unit I believe.

 

[XJdude]

I should probably mention. I'm only using this boat and motor for exploring lakes and rivers with my kids and wife. maybe some light fishing. but mostly just ripping around having some fun.

 

[ondarvr]

I like the Merc better, I have both models. I think the Merc gets poor reviews on the lower unit because of the shift in the handle feature, it can go from forward to reverse far too quickly in the hands of an inexperienced person. These were the most popular kicker motors here until they were replaced by 4 strokes, people troll with them for days at a time, week after week, year after year, with very few issues.

 

[oldboat1]

I currently have the '90 Johnson, and like it. Strong runner, and can see some improvements over '80s versions.

On "ripping around": had a '70s 12' Starcraft a few years ago, and ran with a period 10hp ('57). It's going to be a fast rig with either the Merc or the Johnson. With an articulated tiller extension, one person, moving weight forward -- it will fly. (Might want to keep that from the kids.)

 

[flyingscott]

TI have had both liked them both. The mercury is loop charged a little smoother running love the tiller shifter. Less than robust lower units cannot find them used will cost 1000.00 to replace. Mercury used that lower unit on th 6/8/9.9/15 hp outboard.On the mercury the water pump has to be changed every 2-3 yrs if you overheat the powerhead, generally has to be rebuilt chrome bore does not handle heat well. Very expensive to rebuild twice as much as the johnson. The johnson is a cross flow doesn't idle quite as smooth runs forever. Reliable will take overheating and probably run again. Parts are available everywhere cheap to rebuild. They also have much better lower units than mercury.

If it was me I would buy a johnson

 

[bob johnson]

to me, just looking in the used section of outboard motors for sale in any rag or on craigslist...... you will see 10 johnsons for every merc that comes by....soooo parts supply along would dictate the Johnson.....never ran a merc.....so I cant say how it runs


bob

 

[ondarvr]

The distribution of motors seen on the water is regional, some locations see a much higher number of certain brands.

As I said before, the Mercs outnumbered the Evinrudes of those years around here by 10:1, as the years go back further that ratio is reversed. Now it's 10:1 Yamahas over all other brands combined.

These are used for trolling, running all day long, day after day, the guides around here put mega hours on their Kickers, the Mercs held up fine, my 97' still works perfect. The difference between the Merc and Evinrude is more about feel and comfort while running the motor, not anything to do with reliability, my somewhat older Evinrude 9.9 still runs fine too.

The Evinrude is a much older, tried and true design that will last along time, the Merc is a much newer design and runs quieter and smoother, plus the shift in the handle works very well for how the motors get used around here. Parts for each are easy to find, so that's not really an issue.

What I will say is that both motors will serve the purpose, I will also add that I haven't used my Evinrude since the first time I put the Merc on the boat, I like it that much better. The Evinrude is now used as a back up motor if the Merc is out of service, that hasn't ever happened though. So now it's used as a loaner motor for friends that need a kicker, or on one of my boats that is loaned to someone.