Trying to help a high school rowing team decide on the best 15HP motor for a coach's launch. The boat is a specialized 18' wakeless catamaran. The motor needs to have electric start, remote steering and power tilt. The new (post-2007) Hondas and Yamahas appear to meet the requirements and have larger displacements than the Mercury, Nissan and Suzuki equivalents. Due to the light weight of the boat, so-called "High Thrust" models are probably not a necessity.
However, durability is very important. The boat will probably run 12-15 hours per week year-round. Honda offers a 5 year warranty, while Yamaha offers only a 3 year warranty that decreases coverage after the first year. Sounds like Honda is much more willing to stand behind their product, but there is the Honda fire recall issue ... Also, the Honda website lists a lawn mower repair service as the only authorized small outboard repair shop here in Dallas, Texas. With the steering and control unit cables, removing the motor for carry-in service doesn't seem workable.
The ability to have a readily-accessible manual start is another important feature, especially when the battery eventually dies in the middle of the lake. On the 2003 model, Yamaha required removal of the electric starter before using a loose rope to start the motor. ("Any rower have spare 11mm and 13mm wrenches on them?") Some Honda earlier models had a backup recoil rope start already in place. Both manufacturers changed their model lines in about 2007. The websites do not show pictures of the front of either model.
Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance.
However, durability is very important. The boat will probably run 12-15 hours per week year-round. Honda offers a 5 year warranty, while Yamaha offers only a 3 year warranty that decreases coverage after the first year. Sounds like Honda is much more willing to stand behind their product, but there is the Honda fire recall issue ... Also, the Honda website lists a lawn mower repair service as the only authorized small outboard repair shop here in Dallas, Texas. With the steering and control unit cables, removing the motor for carry-in service doesn't seem workable.
The ability to have a readily-accessible manual start is another important feature, especially when the battery eventually dies in the middle of the lake. On the 2003 model, Yamaha required removal of the electric starter before using a loose rope to start the motor. ("Any rower have spare 11mm and 13mm wrenches on them?") Some Honda earlier models had a backup recoil rope start already in place. Both manufacturers changed their model lines in about 2007. The websites do not show pictures of the front of either model.
Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance.