Please help me choose an outboard for use in Indonesia

Scuba_Si

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Jul 25, 2012
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I currently use Tohatsu 4 Stroke 30hp engines (8 of them over 3 boats). They are very efficient but not overly fast, so for a new boat i am looking at something faster - around 2 x 100hp.

Our boats are wooden dive boats (diving centre), and weight around 3 - 5 tons fully loaded.

The models i am looking at are the Suzuki DF90A, DF70A, possibly DF115. From Yamaha they have a F100 for sale here (http://www.newalexmarine.com/yamaha2.html), this is a Carb 4 stroke. I can also get hold of a Mercury 115, but there will be no local service which im not overly worried about but the lack of parts does concern me.

A negative for the Yamaha in my opinion is that it uses a carburetor, which i think is a step back in terms of fuel efficiency. The big positive is a local dealer, and that my staff could do a strip down (also means they will mess with / tweak it if im not around so is a double edged sword).

The positives for the Suzukis are two fold: Injector / efficient with fuel, and have a very easy to operate engine flush system. Salt build up is a big deal here, especially with boats being used every day for a few hours, we don't have time for a long wash down every day.

For the Mercury, they are cheaper so that is their positive.

Any input would be greatly apprecieated, especially relating to fuel consumption.
 

Home Cookin'

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May 26, 2009
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Re: Please help me choose an outboard for use in Indonesia

speed and power aren't really going to vary between brands enough to matter; focus instead on your service and parts issues.

Carbs are simple, easy to fix, and handle bad fuel better.

Yamaha's are the work force the world over. Plus easy to get or swap out parts. Don't the models you are looking at have a hose hook-up for flushing? Anyway, it's usually not the salt but the sand and other stuff in the water that "builds up".

Are you operating out of Jakarta? Just curious.

Jalan jalan
 

Scuba_Si

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Re: Please help me choose an outboard for use in Indonesia

Thanks for your reply and sorry for your belated one.

Im way out in Sulawesi. I have bought a 50hp Mercury to use on a smaller boat to try out and see what happens.

With the Mercury 75,90,115 4 strokes they are all the same block with different tuning, would you have any ideas on the best of those 3 to use on a heavy displacement boat?
 

Home Cookin'

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9,715
Re: Please help me choose an outboard for use in Indonesia

sorry I don't but others might; try the merc forum, too.
 
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