buying for my boyfriend, could use advice

[buck1173]

Hi, could use everyone's help, buying a 9.9 for my boyfriend's birthday... for his 16' aluminum john boat.

Need a 20" shaft, must be tiller steering, and I want electric start.

I found a great deal on a lightly used '06 Merc Bigfoot 4 stroke (20" electric start), still 2 yrs warranty. Its remote, but they can transfer it over to tiller for $200. Total cost would be $1850.

Or, I could pop $2600 for a new Honda '07 9.9 LS 4stroke, electric start, tiller steering.

What would be the wise choice? We bass fish (fw) mainly and will occasionally go crabbing & flyfish back creeks (sw)

thanks everyone!

ohhhh..... I'm doing some reading up here, and seems a couple of people have bought used bigfoots only to be dissapointed... though, I'm only looking at little kicker motors, so maybe i'm in a different ball field?

what should I look for, or ask the guys to show me before I pay for the thing?

thank you anyone...

 

[gss036]

Re: buying for my boyfriend, could use advice

Personally, I think your boyfriend would be happier w/the new Honda. I know I would, I own a 15hp Honda woud not think of trading it for Mercury, which is the same as Nissan/Tohatsu, mfg by Tohatsu.
The only other 4stroke that I would consider is the Yamaha as I consider it as good as a Honda in quality and workmanship.
I will probably start a spitting match w/that comment, but it is my on personal opinion.

 

[buck1173]

Re: buying for my boyfriend, could use advice

thanks so much for replying.... I'm biting my nails trying to figure out what to do here.....

yeah, I posted this same thread in general forum, and the response was the same, that the merc is essentially a tohatsu - which I've never heard of, not that that means much.

I'm doing some homework and am finding that folks with honda outboards will be their lives on them and they seem pretty much worth their price.

I think new might be the better way to go too, as I'm clueless buyer and will be 'sold' no matter how savvy I try.

question, do you think the honda will be too heavy for a 16' john boat? I don't think so, but I don't know much.



thank you thank you thank you. my boyfriend thanks you too

 

[new_boater]

Re: buying for my boyfriend, could use advice

you better tell that boyfriend to hold on tight to you, most of us have to beg borrow or steal to get the girlfriend let alone the wife to let us buy new boat stuff

he's one lucky guy

 

[buck1173]

Re: buying for my boyfriend, could use advice

hah, we have no problem in that dept... we're both outdoors-aholics... the only shopping trip I make him take with me is to cabelas or bass pro, and thats only to make sure I don't come home with too many rods or firearms... no we're a match made in heaven

thank you sooooo much for your help. the merc is a really good deal, and I was tempted to jump on it.... but the honda makes sense, and i think the price is pretty fair (still shopping) for a new '07

thank you!

 

[JB]

Re: buying for my boyfriend, could use advice

Go with the Honda, Buck.

Since this is a duplicate post I will lock it. See Non-Repair.