Picking a new outboard...

[jstaz]

My current 1993 60 HP Tohatsu finally died. I am shopping for a new one. However, I need guidence. I know the question "What brand is best?" is like asking Chevy or Ford. However, I know some motors have their hiccups and issues.

I have been out of the outboard/boating loop for a while now. What should I look for when buying an outboard? I was thinking going new and getting the 3 yr warrenty. I was told that if I went the same brand (Yamaha/Tohatsu) I would still need new controls due to the age of the current equipment. Is that true? Also, Any benefits for one brand over the other?

I know I wanna stay near a 60 HP for the gas savings and I don't need to go 70 MPH. I do a little fishing and want to pull a tube maybe a skier. My current motor did 35 MPH so I would think a newer 60 HP would have no issue doing that. I hear the newer motors have a little more power than the older of same HP due to the power being measured at the foot rather than the head. Any truth to that? I have noticed new motors don't come with a prop either. So, what would be the best prop and pitch to go with for tubing/cruising/fishing? I am stayin with aluminum due to having a lot of underwater strike hazards so as to not damage the motor and the lower HP doesn't need the benefits of a SS. Your help is needed and welcomed. Thanks in advance.

 

[82rude]

Re: Picking a new outboard...

will chuck in my 2 cents worth.get a 60 etec!yes they are rated at the prop and are pretty powerfull for their size.almost zero emmissions and stellar fuel economy.when i bought mine in may i got a 6 year warranty.dealer threw in a prop so you just got to test to get the right one,but normally 15p seems to be the most popular for that motor.

 

[JEBar]

Re: Picking a new outboard...

there are several good motors out there .... I agree with the Evinrude E-TEC .... in addition to the above, they are made in the USA

Jim

 

[d.boat]

Re: Picking a new outboard...

Just fwiw since you mentioned it. HP has been measured at the prop since somewhere in the range of the mid-80s, so you won't automatically see HP improvement from your 93 60 to a current 60 hp. You will probably see much less smoking and oil slick in the water, maybe smoother and a different power curve which may or may not suit you.

It might actually be a little heavier than your ultra-simple and lightweight 90's era outboard, so you might actually need a little more HP to match it. All of that last stuff is just a hypothesis though.

My personal philosophy is, without being a total motor head about it, to go with a little more HP than needed rather than the minimum you can get by with, especially if it's not a financial burdon and that extra HP doesn't come with a weight penalty. Don't have to use the HP if you don't need it and the larger HP probably won't burn more gas unless you're actually using that extra HP. It will be there when you need it, but won't penalize you (except initial purchase) unless you actually use.