9.9 Outboard Choice ?

alandchris

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
106
Gents
My first post...
I just picked up a 16 foot Tracker aluminum fishing boat - weight is about 1050 - 1150 pounds -- the few lakes / resorviors around me have a 9.9 HP limit. Can anyone recommend an electric start(preferably electric start) but definitely a steerable motor (not a tiller) - I had someone tell me he has a 2005 Johnson 9.9, tiller, manual start - and it could be converted... It was a brand new motor. I had another guy tell me that merc and Yamaha would be his choice...
Thanks Guys..
Al
 

gss036

Commander
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Jan 18, 2003
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Re: 9.9 Outboard Choice ?

My personal choices would be for the below listed 4 stroke engines.:
1. Honda
2. Yamaha
3. Suzuki/Johnson are the same, mfg by Suzuki
4. Mercury/Nissan/ Tohatsu all are Tohatsu's.

A 9.9hp is not going to get you much speed on a 16ft boat but if that is what the max hp allowed, then one has to learn to live with it and schedule your time accordingly.
 

hitace

Petty Officer 1st Class
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May 4, 2007
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Re: 9.9 Outboard Choice ?

My personal choices would be for the below listed 4 stroke engines.:
1. Honda
2. Yamaha
3. Suzuki/Johnson are the same, mfg by Suzuki
4. Mercury/Nissan/ Tohatsu all are Tohatsu's.

A 9.9hp is not going to get you much speed on a 16ft boat but if that is what the max hp allowed, then one has to learn to live with it and schedule your time accordingly.

suzuki only made johnons for a few years you need to make that clear and they were crap.
 

wildmaninal

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Jul 14, 2007
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1,897
Re: 9.9 Outboard Choice ?

Mercury would be just as good as any. I personally am a big fan of evinrude motors. Oddly enough I was thinking of a mercury 9.9HP I am tempted to buy. What is your location alandchris? If you don't mind me asking. Of coarse if you really want to fish on those lakes you mentioned you really seem like you want to go by the rules, you could always get a bigger motor for fishing on other lakes if you decide to do so in the future.
 

TOHATSU GURU

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Jul 22, 2004
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6,164
Re: 9.9 Outboard Choice ?

Outboards are like cars in that people have a favorite brand. Depending on the brand, exact model, boat application, local service availability and your own expectations, one brand might be a better choice than another. I prefer Tohatsu in many models. In some size ranges I sometimes prefer another brand. No one makes an engine that is so bad that you would kill yourself over it later. No one makes an engine that is perfect either. Do yourself a favor and call all of your local dealers and tell them you just moved to the area and have a problem with an engine you purchased just before you moved. The one who tries to help you would be the deciding factor on the brand. Even if you end up buying the engine from another dealer locally, at least you know you will have service support.
 

gss036

Commander
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Jan 18, 2003
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Re: 9.9 Outboard Choice ?

Hitace, I guess this is one point I can't agree with, unless you are talking about 2 stroke engines. I have several friends who have Suzuki 4 strokers and thing they are great. I don't think anybody is really making Johnsons any more, I think they will just die the death of the EDSEL. I guess they like the service since we have a dealer withing about 10 miles either way you go.
I have another buddy that has an 18 Tohatsu and he things that it is great, also good service & dealer in our.
I know of at least 10-12 guys w/Hondas and as many w/ Yamahe 4 strokers and they are great motors. I have been runnig a Honda 15 hp since 1993 and it is still going strong.
Being on a salwater bay w/lots of lakes, we have many shops and dealers to rely on. Some better than others.
 

hitace

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Re: 9.9 Outboard Choice ?

Hitace, I guess this is one point I can't agree with, unless you are talking about 2 stroke engines. I have several friends who have Suzuki 4 strokers and thing they are great. I don't think anybody is really making Johnsons any more, I think they will just die the death of the EDSEL. I guess they like the service since we have a dealer withing about 10 miles either way you go.
I have another buddy that has an 18 Tohatsu and he things that it is great, also good service & dealer in our.
I know of at least 10-12 guys w/Hondas and as many w/ Yamahe 4 strokers and they are great motors. I have been runnig a Honda 15 hp since 1993 and it is still going strong.
Being on a salwater bay w/lots of lakes, we have many shops and dealers to rely on. Some better than others.

your wrong johnsons outboards are still made my BRP they make a 9.9 and a 15 horse carbed 2 stroke and a heavy 9.9 15 and 25 horse 4 stroke.And the evinrude/johnson line of outboards are the last american made outboard now.
 
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alandchris

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Dec 25, 2007
Messages
106
Re: 9.9 Outboard Choice ?

Thx for some of the thought gents.

I'm from Jersey - in response to "wildmanimal" - 2 of the largest resorvoirs that are < 15 minutes from my home have 9.9 limits. This would be my 90% fishing scenario. I can always keep my eye out on craigslist or ??? for a larger motor.

Probably the best thing anyway is to stick with a mercury - since the controls to start and steer are all from a newer model Mercury 25 HP engine - but to be honest - the controls did not look that expensive if I were to change models - and to be honest I don't know if a 25 to 9.9 conversion would be smooth anyway. I don't know if they are a match or if there is a converstion kit needed etc. \

Al
 

JB

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Mar 25, 2001
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45,907
Re: 9.9 Outboard Choice ?

During the 90s OMC manufactured their own 8, 9.9 and 15hp 4 strokes. I had a '97 Johnny 9.9 4 stroke that was a very nice little engine. There might be a problem finding parts now, though. Mine was a manual start tiller model and I don't really know if electric start versions were available. Very smooth and quiet engine which really sipped gas.

I also disagree with Hitace about the Suzuki made JohnnyRude 4 strokes. I had a Suzi version DF70 and it was hands down the best mid-size outboard I ever had, and that includes a bunch of the wonderful JohnnyRude triple 70s.

Were I in your position, alandchris, I would shop for and electric start remote control JohnnyRude 9.9 2 stroke from the 80s or 90s or a new Merc 9.9 4 stroke.

Though your Tracker tinny may push 1,000# fully loaded and ready to launch I really doubt that the hull weighs more than a few hundred pounds.

Good luck, and welcome to the iboats family. :)
 

Forktail

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Feb 11, 2002
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977
Re: 9.9 Outboard Choice ?

There is a best choice when you consider remote steering, electric start, engine displacement, durability, reliability, and other features...Yamaha.
 

j442w30

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jan 9, 2007
Messages
264
Re: 9.9 Outboard Choice ?

your wrong johnsons outboards are still made my BRP they make a 9.9 and a 15 horse carbed 2 stroke and a heavy 9.9 15 and 25 horse 4 stroke.And the evinrude/johnson line of outboards are the last american made outboard now.

Mercury Optimax and Verado Outboards are made in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

alandchris - The Mercury/Tohatsu 9.9 hp model is available with electric start and remote steering.
 

TOHATSU GURU

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Re: 9.9 Outboard Choice ?

Brand (insert the brand name that you love here) is surely the best in the known universe....Why you ask? Well it's a proven fact that they _______, _____, _______, _______, _______ and they are sugar-free and now come with Kung Fu Grip. No argument will ever dissuade me to the contrary as facts are always irrelevant and unprovable in brand loyalty threads. I will never allow that your brand of engine is equal to my own so didn't even begin to question my opinion.

Now repeat this three times thereby giving credence to it by repetition. Now it is no longer an opinion...Now its a fact.

Next

My brand is better than your brand.

Next

etc
 

BruceAML

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Feb 26, 2007
Messages
371
Re: 9.9 Outboard Choice ?

Elvin, there are some major differences in outboards and in the quality of the motors. The Chinese Osprey motor is not on the same quality level as a Yamaha or Evinrude. Brand loyalty is fine but there are differences.
 

TOHATSU GURU

Admiral
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Jul 22, 2004
Messages
6,164
Re: 9.9 Outboard Choice ?

Is the Chi Com Osprey sold in the U.S? Is it a major brand? There is absolutely no difference in quality level among real outboards.

"Depending on the brand, exact model, boat application, local service availability and your own expectations, one brand might be a better choice than another."

There are differences between individual models amongst brands that can make one brand model stick out as better or worse in some application. Other than that, brand loyality is a form self delusion.
 
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