Mercury or Evinrude ??

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Mercury or Evinrude ??

I find it amusing to hear that because Brunswick owns many lines and supplies their own engines (Mercury) for them, that this makes Mercury engines unreliable or cheaply built. I've steadfastly been a satisfied Johnson/Evinrude buyer/user for many years, I did wind up with a Merc 4-stroke on my new boat due to the Brunswick/Mercury correlation. I hope to get many carefree hours from my new engine as nowadays I believe the technology is pretty good on all of them, regardless of brand. The Etecs are not without there problems either. Just do some reading on other forums where they get used alot. Like any new product, there will be rough edges to iron out for a while. Not buying a particular brand boat because it comes with a certain manufactures engine would be like demanding a Chevy motor in your new Ford. This is the way the marine industry is going and it benefits many new boat buyers. Not everyone likes it, but the Brunswick numbers speak for themselves....

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Mercury or Evinrude ??

I like the Mercs and the 'Rudes; for several years the Etec was the best thing going with economy and power, now Merc has a DI 2-stroker that is more efficient than the Etec.​

What Exactly is this Merc DI 2 stroke????

I haven't heard of any new DI 2 strokes coming out of Merc since the Opti, and that's not gonna touch an E-tec as far as economy or efficiency.

 

[mrfixitman40]

Re: Mercury or Evinrude ??

well the question you need to ask yourself is are you gonna work on it after warranty and keep the boat for many years go with a rude but if you just want all out performance go with a merc i prefer working on my rude over my brothers merc but both are mid 1960's . he can pull about 2 miles an hour faster with his 65 merc 650 on his aluminum 16 footer than i can with my 64 rude 75 hp on my 18 foot aluminum but his hull is also alot newer so take it for what its worth. you will have the same response as for ford or chevy or dodge been a battle for years and it ain't gonna stop anytime soon

 

[pecheux]

Re: Mercury or Evinrude ??

Brunswick, who also owns Mercury, owns a lions share of the boat manufacturers these days. They therefore they package their boats with Merc motors and can make claims they sell more motors. Yamaha owns G3 so you have a tough time buying a G3 with anything other than a Yammie. Alumacraft one manufacturers that is still available with "no pre-rig" (no engine) so you are free to install whatever engines the selling dealer has to offer.

Actualy Mercury tested the system as they got rid of Force motors that way ... since it worked ... now it's Mercury motors.

 

[Bigjohn1]

Re: Mercury or Evinrude ??

Here's the bottom line, you'll love either outboard!

If you truly are a rookie at this, let me tell you plenty of people ask these types of questions on boating forums all over the internet. Some have ill intent and some are valid questions. Some do it simply to sit back and watch the drama that unfolds between brand loyalists on both sides.

Mercury is not better than Evinrude; Evinrude is not better than Mercury. They are both fine brands and the current crop of outboards from either company are reliable and fuel efficient.

 

[sizz]

Re: Mercury or Evinrude ??

Here's the bottom line, you'll love either outboard!

.

thanks Big John....... you're making a lot of sense..and I'm beginning to see exactly what your saying ....... Both are equally good ................. I drive a Ford today because my Dad always drove a Ford..... my fist outboard was a 5 HP Merc back in 1954 it was good and brought me to all the adventures I could handle at age 15 ........... I want to thank all you folks above for your input.
This morning I called the boat dealer and told him I decided and for him to hang a new 60 HP EFI Mercury on my new 18' OPW Klamath ................... see you all on the Bay
Frank

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Mercury or Evinrude ??

Good Luck and happy boating.

 

[oldgradywhite]

Re: Mercury or Evinrude ??

etec all the way

 

[67Johnson6HP]

Re: Mercury or Evinrude ??

My feelings are the same as TD. I'm hoping to buy a new boat next spring and I like the Tracker "Panfisher" 'cause I want stick steering in the front but, I'd like to have an Evinrude motor. I'm sure they won't sell the boat and trailer without the Mercury motor (don't have anything against Merc, I just want what I want). I may just find another brand that I can buy without a motor and put what I want on it although it may cost more 'cause of the "package deal" pricing - whatever, it's my money.

 

[sankanother1]

Re: Mercury or Evinrude ??

If it comes down to the wire.Yamaha's have the best rep for electronics.I think they are the cheapest to boot.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Mercury or Evinrude ??

What about Honda or Yamaha over either of these Merc/Evinrude choices?