4 HP Yamaha or 5 HP Mercury

[Stud man]

Looking to get an inflatable and have a choice of 2 different motors
One is a 1999 4hp Yamaha and the other is 2005 5hp mercury
I am looking to use the inflatable as a tender and do some exploring when in different ports
I am concerned with weight and reliability but also power for the inflatable
The 4hp comes with a 9? inflatable but not the 5hp, I would need to find a boat
Anyone have any experience with either of these motors? Things I should look out for?
I have never owned an inflatable so any positive input is greatly appreciated
Thanks
Studman

 

[mpj76]

Re: 4 HP Yamaha or 5 HP Mercury

Not sure about the motor. Try to get one with a rub rail that goes to the end of the pontoon. I've had mine get away from my helper at the dock during low tide and it went crooked. The pontoon was sliced by a barnacle under the dock at the point just buyond the rub rail. Kind of a freak thing, but possible. Get one with an aluminum floor if you go fully inflatable.

 

[likalar]

Re: 4 HP Yamaha or 5 HP Mercury

Both engines, if well cared for in the past, will serve well in the future. I don't know either very well, but have been happy with motors from both companies. Things to consider: 4 stroke or 2 stroke? Weight? noise? exhaust noise? shaft length? There's some research you'll have to do after you find out more specifically which motors (4 or 2 stroke) you're comparing. Sorry I couldn't be more help. A tip: I notice you are in CT. I would definitely get any motor looked at by a quality engine shop. It should be tank tested, thoroughly inspected, and possibly serviced after purchase. Good luck.
Larry

 

[CapeAnn]

Re: 4 HP Yamaha or 5 HP Mercury

I'm thinking 4 hp and 5 hp are a little underpowered for a 9' + inflatable? If it's just yourself they'd be fine for putting around. As for seeing different types of inflatables I would go to the Defender showroom near you and look at all the models they have on the floor. They really do have the largest display of inflatables to see anywhere. They also have experienced sales people too who can advise.

I am thinking that the Merc 2005 is a Tohatsu and in my experience they are dependable little motors.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 4 HP Yamaha or 5 HP Mercury

Try to get a twin cylinder motor. I own a twin cylinder 4HP Evinrude which I love. My dad bought a little boat that came with a single cylinder 5HP Mercury. Hated that Merc. So much noisier with a ton more vibration.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 4 HP Yamaha or 5 HP Mercury

I have had a 4HP Evinrude deluxe and currently have a Mariner 4 (yamaha/Merc) both 2 strokes.
The Evinrude was smoother (2cylinder), the Mariner lighter (1 cylinder).

I sold the Evinrude and kept the Mariner because of weight difference, internal tank (much nicer for an inflatable imo... no tank to haul in and out of the boat - no tank to carry to the water... no tank bouncing around in waves).
I have had no vibration issues on my 1 cyl Mariner but have heard complaints about singles. Doesn't seem to be an issue on mine.
One reason I liked both of those motors is that they shift (F/N/R). My areas are weedy.... non-shifting 360 swivel motors are brutal in weeds... you can't use reverse to clear the foliage - have to stop, lift the motor up, clear the weeds by hand... drop it down...try to plane... get stuck again, repeat 20 times).

 

[jrs_diesel]

Re: 4 HP Yamaha or 5 HP Mercury

As far as the 4 HP being underpowered, you'd be surprised. I had a 3.5 Nissan 2 stroke that was able to put me on plane in my 9 ft SIB, but barely. Impressive nonetheless for such a small 28 lb motor. The only thing I did not like about that engine, like Howard Sternrive said, is that it was prone to collect weeds. Mine also had no neutral, if the engine was turning so was the prop.

I have noticed that two stroke single cylinder engines vibrate less than the four stroke single cylinder models. I have a 2007 Merc 6 HP, single cylinder four stroke, and don't like the way it sounds/vibrates. My twin cylinder Johnson outboards run much smoother.

I was stationed in CT (New London), and boated with my SIB on both Hopeville and Pachaug ponds, as well as the Thames River. Pachuag was great, but Hopeville Pond I found small with lots of weeds.

Good luck motor shopping!

 

[Johnny Knoxville]

Re: 4 HP Yamaha or 5 HP Mercury

I have a 2002 Achilles with the air floor so it is fairly light. I have been running a 5hp two stroke Mercury on it for years and have changed the impeller once and the plug twice. Since it is a single cylinder it gets amazing mileage even at near WOT. It has a tank in the motor and has an external tank also. I think it weighs something like 50 lbs IIRC. I clocked it at nearly 15 mph with just my 195 lbs. It will run about 9 with a full load of two people, but if you get the weight distributed right it will still do a slow plane.
Compared to my Brother in Laws 9 foot Achilles with and 8hp two cylinder Evinrude, loaded I actually can run faster. Empty he is faster, but not by much. Fuel economy, his is a dog I'll bet he burns twice the fuel for the same speed.

A 4 hp has 20% less hp than a five. I would find the largest thing that:

A) Doesn't exceed the rating of the boat
B) Doesn't exceed my budget
C) Is within the weight limits you can "hump" around. I sometime put mine on the top of my SUV. It is about all I can do to get it (the five) up there by myself.

My 10.5 with 5 hp. It is a great combo. I wouldn't mind single cylinder 6 and some of the 4 strokes are getting much lighter.

We do boat camping in the summer, that's why the heavy loads. Heading 13 miles up the Lake. We probably put another 80 miles on after that exploring when empty.