Should I buy a Mariner?

[Jeep Man]

Last season I bought a used 20 ft. pontoon with a 30 short shaft Evinrude. I found that it would cavitate when set vertical. Bigger and longer seams right.
I have a line on a 1988 60hp Mariner (same year as Evinrude), but I am not familiar with the Mariner brand. Is this a good fit for use on this boat for regular family and cruising use. We are not into speed, just would like to get off the lake in a timely manner if the weather turns,and have a reliable engine. Presently,we have a turtle.
This motor has been completely overhauled by a marine mechanic.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Should I buy a Mariner?

I am not familiar with the Mariner brand. Is this a good fit for use on this boat for regular family and cruising use.

Mariner and Mercury Marine (Brunswick) are one in the same except the Mariner is, (they still make them), the U.K. export brand name. Parts seem to interchange across the board from what I can tell. I have a 91, 100hp Mariner and from what mechanics tell me it is the same as the 115 except the U.K. required the power rating to be either in KW or accurate HP. When you convert it you don't get 115 it's closer to 100. Marketing symantics I suspect.

From what I've read, on a pontoon boat, your biggest enemy is the crossed wakes that occur. These create hyper cavitation, often refered to as ventillation. A bigger prop bite (more pitch and diameter) is sometimes the recommended cure and a bigger motor will give you that opportunity.
As for reliable, mine has been fine but I'm a maintenance nut so it's practically like new every year. The parts I've replaced met the expectations of normal wear and tear so I would have to say it's been a good motor. Anything can be a mechanical nightmare if you fail to maintain it properly. When it comes to outboards, if you get a lemon, it can be a pretty steep price to get it to usable condition. I always save my pennies and buy new.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Should I buy a Mariner?

Thanks for your reply. My Evinrude cavitates (ventilates) even in calm water.The only way to stop it is to tilt it all the way down, which means it is part way under the boat. Long shaft is definitely needed. The horsepower rating is confusing. Does this mean the 60 hp Mariner is similiar to a 70hp Mercury, or is it the other way around?

 

[James R]

Re: Should I buy a Mariner?

Don't know if this was one of the Yamaha made Mariners. Yamaha made them for Mariner division of Mercury for some years. The Japanese rate their motors at the prop not at the powerhead as US manufacturers do. This makes for more power from the equivalent Mariner.
Had an 83 40HP Mariner pushing a 16ft Cobia and water skiing was no problem. Hope this helps.

 

[DJ]

Re: Should I buy a Mariner?

Mercury/Mariner. In the US they were one and the same, except for paint color. Just like Johnson/Evinrude.

Have you tried dropping the engine down, a hole or two, on the mounting bracket? Also, as mentioned, the right prop. makes a world of difference.

Pontoons are notorious for cavitation.