What's the best brand outboard to buy?

[crguy]

I'm looking to buy a new 15 hp outboard motor. I figured I would ask everyones opionion on what is the best/most reliable vs. price on the market these days. I have been an OMC man myself for years, however I am hearing that the Yamaha's are real good engines.

 

[Trent]

Re: What's the best brand outboard to buy?

Yammie... you will love it.

 

[Mercury140-I6]

Re: What's the best brand outboard to buy?

Boy, you are opening up a huge can of worms here, but, here is my opinion. Of the brands with service facilities in your area, I would personally pick Mercury or Yamaha (I like the Merc better though. Looks cleaner to me). I have always had Mercs and none of them has ever let me down, but I have only had the inline 6 Mercs.<br /><br />It's really a matter of personal choice.<br /><br />Craig

 

[quantumleap]

Re: What's the best brand outboard to buy?

All of the major brands are getting to be more even, reliability-wise. I would pick a dealer close to home and that is serviced on the main bodies of water that you frequently use. The main choice you have to make is 2 vs. 4 stroke.

 

[JB]

Re: What's the best brand outboard to buy?

There is not a major brand that doesn't have a very good 15, Crguy, 2 or 4 stroke.<br /><br />Being an old JohnnyRude fan I would select one of them. No reason except brand loyalty.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: What's the best brand outboard to buy?

my personal favorite is the new YAMMERCINUKIHONDATSU... they grow on a tree like this<br /><br />.<br /><br /> pic....... of..... my........tree

<br /><br />they all have decent if not great motors...each one has its own perks that the others may not.... get the one thats suits your needs most. which one gives better dealer support and parts in your neck of the woods. do you need ligt weight. do you need options. all of them are great motors

 

[steam_mill]

Re: What's the best brand outboard to buy?

In my opinion the greatest deciding factor will be service. I would go for the motor with best service in my area.<br /><br />Preference would be to Yammie or Merc.<br /><br />I grew up with 'rudes but am concerned about the 'rude organization being around permanently...<br /><br />The mercs are good and the yammies are great....<br /><br />Joe

 

[Bobby O]

Re: What's the best brand outboard to buy?

What is your use, how often will you use it, and will you be having to carry it and load and off load. Weight is important. 4 bangers are best, but so much heavier than 2. All engines manufactured to day are similar, depends on operator and maintenance. I've owned Johnsons, rudes, and lately Mercs, I'm currently repowering with Honda, all engines performed as compared to the competetion acording to use and maintenance.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: What's the best brand outboard to buy?

Everybody mentions service, and that's important. But how do you know who provides the best service? One must rely on customer recommendations. Talk to everyone you know who has a motor and see what their experience has been. Even talk to anyone you see with a boat at the gas pumps, parking lots, etc. Most folks are eager to talk about their boats.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: What's the best brand outboard to buy?

Buy the one that is in your favorite color. Color is very important because it will be in your face for a very long time. Make sure it matches your favorite boat shirt and pants. Keep in mind, your dealer should not be far from your cleaners, so you can kill two birds with one stone(when you need to take those hard to get out stains from your favorite kakis).<br /><br />I hear black always goes with everything and stays very elegant, classic, and fashionable over time.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: What's the best brand outboard to buy?

BoatBuoy has the best idea. Talk to people about their experience with their mechanics and dealership. They generally have no reason to lie about it. Go to the dealer of your choice and wait for people having service done and ask them how they have been treated. Seems like stalking a bit, but it will work.... Check out the Warranty of each Motor and the fine print, also

 

[Forktail]

Re: What's the best brand outboard to buy?

I'm looking to buy a new 15 hp outboard motor. I figured I would ask everyones opionion on what is the best/most reliable vs. price on the market these days.

I'll give you a little different take... <br /><br />Some outboards are simply better than others. <br /><br />It does you no good to be close to a good servicing dealer if you have to use that dealer all the time for repairs, or you get stranded on the water.<br /><br />Determine what you want out of an outboard, and what value and reliability mean to you. Then do your own research, as most outboard owners are very brand loyal and they may not give you the true picture. Unfortunately, there is no substitute for your own actual experience running different outboards when making these types of decisions.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[crguy]

Re: What's the best brand outboard to buy?

Let me clarify my take on the matter. I am on the Conn. shoreline, so almost all brands are sold and serviced within 10 miles of my house. Boat dealers are a dime a dozen down here. I may handle minor repairs myself, but anything complicated will go to the dealer.<br /><br />Color and/or aesthetics don't matter at all. <br /><br />My new motor will be in the 15 hp size and weight and ease of taking on & off is somewhat of a factor. Another factor that is very important is reliability. I am willing to pay a little more for a reliable product. Also, as with most people, price is a factor. <br /><br />I have heard that the Honda's are beautiful motors. However, I can't justify in my mind paying 20% more for a Honda unless its reliability and features warrant the extra $$$$$. <br /><br />From my limited knowledge I don't think there is much difference in the features on these motors, so I think it boils down to $$$price$$$ vs. reliability. At least for me. I want a good reliable product for the money.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: What's the best brand outboard to buy?

mercs have been around for 60 something plus years, and still run strong today !!!<br /><br />ask yourself, whens the last time you saw a 30 year old yamaha or honda still running...<br /><br />i would say that evinrudes run for 50 years too, but they are now made by bomb* and i dont know how they will do...<br /><br />keep in mind that alot of these motors this small are made by other people, like the johnson 4 strokes are suzukis , and the merc 4 strokes under 25hp( think, maybe 30) are rebadged tohatsu's...tohatsu's are famous for their reliabilty..<br /><br />but i still vote for merc!!!

 

[quantumleap]

Re: What's the best brand outboard to buy?

M ake of<br />E ngine should be<br />R eliable,<br />C ost effective, and<br />U niversally serviced. I won't<br />R eveal my personal favorite, as it is <br />Y our choice to make.<br /><br />

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: What's the best brand outboard to buy?

Right now I'm running a 35 year old Merc kicker and a 20+ year old Johnson main engine. If either was a Yamaha, Suzuki or Honda, I think it would also be running. Buy the motor from the dealer who you are most comfortable with, not only in terms of price, but in terms of any follow up you might need in the future. <br /><br />Also, I'm still in the 2 stroke kicker camp - simply because of the lifting factor. Believe me, even 7 or 8 lbs, let alone 10 or more, makes a difference to me when I'm already trying to lift at the edge of my comfort zone without help. I wish they were as clean and odor free as a 4 stroke, but the simple truth is I can't use it if it isn't liftable (for me, by myself) in the 10-15 hp range.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: What's the best brand outboard to buy?

...I still think color is where it's at! <br /><br /> ...because there all the same! Just stay away from no name brands (which don't exist anymore anyway)

 

[Forktail]

Re: What's the best brand outboard to buy?

crguy's buying a new outboard. Not a 60 year-old Merc or a 50-year old Evinrude. A lot has changed since then. Look for solid reputations on what is currently being manufactured.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: What's the best brand outboard to buy?

how can a NEW outboard have any reputation at all... its NEW <br /><br />forktail, no disrepspect as i know you are biased to yamahas... they are a kick a$$ motor, no doubts at all, they run like smooth japanese machinery should.... i just wanted to add MY OPINION that i have some really old motors that still run 30 years later as they did new.... and i would keep that in mind when i buy a new one, along with dealer support and being able to find parts and or service locally and easily<br /><br />its all good! i dont think there is a BAD motor made todAY!!!! they have had plenty of time to get it right!!!!!!<br /><br />just my 2 cents<br /><br />m ikey

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: What's the best brand outboard to buy?

All the outboards in this class are good motors. Personally I would buy whoever gave me the best price...Tohatsu is a good alternative, you should be able to squeeze a Tohatsu dealer to $1,870.00 for the 15 hp 4 stroke if you shop carefully. Company makes all the 4 strokes in the under 20 hp class FOR Merc...