Which Outboard - Merc or Suzuki

[Athlonoved]

Hello, I just signed up to this forum today.

OK. I am about to purchase a 2008 TRACKER? Pro Team? 190 TX located here http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/?boat=2835 if you want to see it. I am going to put a 2 stroke on this for performance reasons. My budget is limiting me to a 90. What my question is, what type of motor should I put on it? I've got 2 choices; Merc which is standard or Suzuki. The dealer said that he would change to a Suzuki at no extra cost. I read a lot of good thing about both. I have also heard time and time again that the Suzuki out performs the Merc, any wisdom on this would be nice. Also I know Mercs have a 3 year warrantee and the Suzuki has a 6 year. However, Merc is having a special until June 28th where they are adding an extended 2 years at no cost. I am confused about which to buy and the pros and cons of each. All input would be great.

Thank you

 

[gss036]

Re: Which Outboard - Merc or Suzuki

All Suzuki's are now 4 stroke engines as far as I know. Mercury must have extended the waranty deal as it was set to expire on the 15th of April. Currently Suzuki's are only 3 years.
I just order/bought a 225 HP Honda and ir has a 5 year non-declineing warranty from Honda.
There is a thread going on the Suzuki forum about the same subject. Everybody says the are both good engines. All depends on dealer service.

 

[whofan]

Re: Which Outboard - Merc or Suzuki

Both are good motors, that said I would go with Mercury more dealer and service departments.
Tracker 190 as in 19ft? what is your maximum horse power rating? You will want to be within at least 70% of your max. A 90 sounds a little light. Boat pakages usually are under powered to bring down the bottom line price. If your going to go in debt do yourself a favor and get the motor you want. Its easier to bite the bullet now instead of later. Maybe the 90 is a good choice for this boat but double check that.
Looking at the boat I would bump up to a 115 hp motor

 

[Athlonoved]

Re: Which Outboard - Merc or Suzuki

The length of the boat is 18' 9". It weighs 982. It can handle a 135 4 stroke. However, with the 135 4 stroke it will only go about 7 mph faster according to the mfg and the price goes from 16,400 to 23,600. That is a huge difference. I might consider a 115 2 stroke but is the price difference worth it? I don't know really. How will the 115 do over the 90? What kind of advantage or disadvantage would I have?

 

[whofan]

Re: Which Outboard - Merc or Suzuki

My story, I bought a lund fisherman 16ft Fisherman with a 50hp Johnson. Boat was rated for a 90hp max. I ended up trading the 50 for a 70 johnson a year later. I can now stay on plane at 3/4 throttle and burn less fuel. The 50 had to be pretty much wide open to cruise.
25hp should make a difference. In your case I don`t know I`m right. You should consider this now before you pull the trigger. Making payments on something your not happy with really sucks. $$ per month difference to one up the hp and resale value of boat are things to consider also.
Their are guys here more knowlegeable than me so ask around. Run this by your dealer too. He`ll be more than happy to sell you a smaller motor if price is a make or break deal. Then having you trade up a year later for a bigger motor. Been there done that.
I think a 115 two stroke is something to consider.

I don`t think you would be as bad off with the 90hp as I was with a 50hp.
I just think horse power is a bigger question than brand name.

 

[Athlonoved]

Re: Which Outboard - Merc or Suzuki

That setels that then. I do not want to sink 23,000 in a Bass Tracker. I am going to purchase the 2008 TRACKER? Pro Team? 175 TXW it is 17' 10" verses the boat that I have been talking about which is 18' 9". I talked to the dealer about the 2008 TRACKER? Pro Team? 175 TXW mostly. It is the same width in the back, I like the 89" width. The max Merc i can stick on it is a 75 and at a price of 17,795 that is a price that I can live with atm. The sales person told me he has a friend with one and he has a 75 on it and he seems to think it's way more than enough for the boat.
Do you think this is a smarter way to go to bring the price below 20k?
I would still be more than satisified with the 17' 10" length. They are really spacious boats. Here is a link to the specs http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/specs.cfm?boat=2833
if you wanna see it.

 

[whofan]

Re: Which Outboard - Merc or Suzuki

I see that the fuel capacity at 21 gallons is the same for both boats so range should be greater for the 175 trx . Your talking about a $5000 difference in price for one foot of hull. Looks like you can max out the 175 for your price I`d probably go for it. You may wish you had the 190? At todays fuel prices on a budget I`d go for the 175.
I wish my boat were an 1850 instead of a 1650. Most of the time I`m by myself. The smaller boat is easier to launch and store. I can afford to run mine.
Go with with the Mercury . Get more opinions about the 190 with the 90hp motor. I`d max out the smaller boat and save $5000.
Trolling motors and electronics will add to the price too. With the cost savings you can rig your boat right. Go color on your electronics.

 

[Athlonoved]

Re: Which Outboard - Merc or Suzuki

Yea, that?s what I thought as well. I, myself, drive 2 hours to and 2 hours back home from work everyday. Gas is eating my lunch so I know all about that. I drive a Nissan Maxima back and forth to work and my wife drives a Pontiac Sunbird. We recently bought a new Chevrolet Suburban Z71 LT because we have 4 children and we need something to haul everyone in.
I know all about budgets

I am going to purchase the 2008 TRACKER Pro Team 175 TXW.

I know in one of my previous posts, I said "I want a 2 stroke for performance reasons." I think I?m starting to sing another tone about the 2-Stroke, 4-Stroke ordeal. What is the real, down to earth difference in the 2-Stroke and 4-Stroke? Since I would be able to afford to max out the motor size on the 17' 10" boat, which will be a Merc 75
2-Stroke or 75 4-Stroke and the weight difference is 24 lb. I really like the fuel savings that I am reading about, quiet operation, quiet operation and quiet operation. Anyway you get the point
If the 4-Strokes outboard motors are anything like automobile motors the maintenance should be considerably lower. Is this a true statement? Also, my father as only owned 2-Strokes boat motors and when i think about all the good times that we had on the water when I was a kid, in that 350v Ranger with a 175 on it, I remember the 2 stroke smoke and the slight 2-Stroke jerking movement that they all have. I would like to not have that if that will be abolished by getting the 4-Stroke. All input is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[05GlastronSX]

Re: Which Outboard - Merc or Suzuki

The new direct injected 2 strokes offer better overall performance, are nearly as quiet if not the same at nearly all RPMs, burn the same or less fuel at similar RPM's, do not smoke like the carbed 2 strokers, and still offer all the benifits of a 2 stroke motor(lighter, quicker, less maintenance, ect) Go for the 75 merc optimax. They are tested and proven motors and are very quick.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Which Outboard - Merc or Suzuki

The new Merc. 4 strokes are very strong running engines. Nothing like their previous carburated models...

 

[whofan]

Re: Which Outboard - Merc or Suzuki

When you were talking Mercury vs Suzuki I was thinking NOS Carbed 2 strokes is what you were comparing. If its the optimax your looking at I would go for it. Fuel injected two strokes are the way to go in my opinion.
You may find out thats a big can of worms when comparing DFI twos to the four strokes. People on both sides of the fence swear by either one.

 

[Athlonoved]

Re: Which Outboard - Merc or Suzuki

I contacted the salesman today that I have been working with and told him that I was thinking about the 4 stroke 75, which is the biggest motor that the
175 TXW can handle. He told me again that the 75 is just too big of a motor for that boat. He told me that a 50 optimax or a 60 4 stroke is more than plenty for the boat and will save me about 2k on the price.
This morning I went on "You Tube" and looked to see if there were any videos of the 175 TXW in the water. Much to my surprise there are a few. The ones that I saw all had 50 2 strokes, they where not the optimax, and man did they move. They plained out in about 2 seconds, and looked like they handled well.
He seems like he is trying to do me a favor and save me some $$, which I am all about keeping my dollars .
So with all of your helpful input and such I have narrowed down to the 50 optimax 2 stroke or the 60 4 stroke.
I have really heard good things about both and the price difference is not even enough that is a consideration to me. I guess I need to come to grips with what would better suit me as an individual.

I, myself, like things that are:
1. Quiet
2. Easy to maintain
3. Very reliable.
4. Emission ratings on the 4 strokes.
5. Fuel efficiency.

Please info on these would be more then great. Thank you in advance.

As a last note. I am noticing that the 50-60 class motors are in a totally different motor bracket. What is the difference in the 40-60 hp class and the 75-115 motor class. The motor size between the 2 classes are very noticeable. The prop on the 75-115 look a lot bigger. is there an advantage this this?

 

[jevery]

Re: Which Outboard - Merc or Suzuki

Looking at Mercury?s website it looks like the 50 HP 2-stroke is a carb motor, not an Optimax model. If that is the case it will not offer the advantages of the new generation of DFI 2-strokes. Namely, better fuel economy, less burning oil smell, and performance. Looks like the warranty is longer on the 4-stroke also. Being a 4-stroke fan, I like to point out that the four strokes, generally speaking, are quieter, especially at idle and the upper RPM range, offer slightly better fuel economy, will push a given hull just as fast as a 2-stroke, and run cleaner. Holeshot and weight, however, are two areas that 2-strokes have an edge. Though Suzuki?s newest generation 4-strokes with variable valve timing technology will continue to close the gap. As far as maintenance differences. Change the oil in a 4-stroke once per season, or pour 2-stroke oil in a tank to burn in the cylinders. All else is about equal, lower unit oil changes, occasional plugs replacement. Looking at your list of priorities, I?d go with a 4-stroke.

 

[j442w30]

Re: Which Outboard - Merc or Suzuki

I would go for the Mercury Optimax 75 hp for that boat, you'll get awesome holeshot and top end power at minimal weight. Plus Direct Injected engines like the Optimax get close to the fuel economy of a four stroke without needing the extra maintenance. Other wise the 50 & 60 hp Mercury 4 strokes are great engines too and they have maintenance free valvetrains and their warranty is non declining unlike the Suzuki's

Just my opinion, I happen to prefer Mercury but it looks like you'll have a nice boat package either way!

 

[Athlonoved]

Re: Which Outboard - Merc or Suzuki

Ok. The verdict is in. The motor that I purchased was the Merc 60 4-Stroke. I really would like to thank each and everyone that contributed to my thread and thank you to iboats.com for this great forum.
I hope that the decision that I made was a good one. I really wanted the Merc 75 Optimax but the salesman, again today reasured me that the Merc 60 4-stroke would be a great motor for that particular boat and would push it at about 40-45ish and that with that paticular boat the hole shot not even be an issue. I go to pick it up this Saturday and I will try it out that evening, after I bring it home and give it a good look-over. If it does not perform well I will most defiantly ask him if I can trade the motor for the Merc 75 Optimax.

I will post pictures either that evening or on Sunday.

Again thank you for your support and I look forward in my adventures on this wonderful site.

 

[j442w30]

Re: Which Outboard - Merc or Suzuki

Good choice and good luck with the new rig. Follow the instructions on how to break that motor in correctly and she will give you many years of service.

 

[CWCW]

Re: Which Outboard - Merc or Suzuki

I think you made a good choice man. I have heard many say and i have been told by a dealer that the 75hp motors didnt perform well on that hull because of their weight whether it was the opti or the 4stroke. You would think that Tracker would have noticed this from the first and either made the hull heavier to handle the 75's extra weight or lessened the max hp rating. You know if the salesman are trying to talk you out of spending more money with the 75hp motor, then the boat probably really doesnt do well with that set up, cause after all they are in the business to make as much money on a sale as they can.

 

[Athlonoved]

Re: Which Outboard - Merc or Suzuki

He did mention something about the weight of the 75. I might be incorrect about what he said but I think he said something to the effect of; the weight to hull ratio and to either to get the 50 2-stroke or the 60 4-stroke. If I am correct on my memory I think he also said that it would perform better with those 2 motors.

I opted for the 60 4-stroke for a few reasons.
1. I will never get rid of this boat (state and federal law may mandate no use of some 2-stokes on some waters in the future.
2. I like quiet, whenever I can get it. I have 4 children from the ages of 7 months - 11 years old.
3. I like the fact that the idle shudder will be reduced, from what I hear.
4. I can brag to my Tree-hugging friends that I'm not polluting that water as much.
5. Less used fuel. (With me driving 4 hours a day back and forth to work, two other cars to take care of, not to mention a gas loving new Suburban that I had to buy to haul everyone around. I need this fuel economy.

 

[whofan]

Re: Which Outboard - Merc or Suzuki

He did mention something about the weight of the 75. I might be incorrect about what he said but I think he said something to the effect of; the weight to hull ratio and to either to get the 50 2-stroke or the 60 4-stroke. If I am correct on my memory I think he also said that it would perform better with those 2 motors.

I opted for the 60 4-stroke for a few reasons.
1. I will never get rid of this boat (state and federal law may mandate no use of some 2-stokes on some waters in the future.
2. I like quiet, whenever I can get it. I have 4 children from the ages of 7 months - 11 years old.
3. I like the fact that the idle shudder will be reduced, from what I hear.
4. I can brag to my Tree-hugging friends that I'm not polluting that water as much.
5. Less used fuel. (With me driving 4 hours a day back and forth to work, two other cars to take care of, not to mention a gas loving new Suburban that I had to buy a month ago to haul everyone around. I need this fuel economy.

Congratulations on your new boat! Now, you will have to let us know how she runs. Hope you like it.

Since you bought the smaller lighter boat, you can now trade the big thirsty Suburban in for a Chrysler minivan LOL!

 

[Athlonoved]

Re: Which Outboard - Merc or Suzuki

Well I forgot to take my camera on my first trip. My father-in-law and I went out this Saturday evening around 3:00 P.M. The boat handles well with a top speed of 35. The Merc 4-stroke is extremely quiet at idle and at full throttle. It’s quiet easy to carry on a conversation at a normal conversation level at full speed. I was very surprised by this. It is so quite in-fact that at idle, I worry that I am going to accidently leave it running when it's not suposed to be. The 46lb trolling motor that comes STD equipped is actually too much for the boat. It has 5 variable speeds and had to keep it on no more than the 2nd speed setting or the boat would get on plane, just kidding... Anyway, it is definitely well fitted for the boat size. On our trip Saturday evening we ended up catching about 15 bass, 20-30 bluegill/brim, and a few 2-3 lb. cats. This morning my son, my father-in-law went fishing at 5:00 A.M. and came back in around 10:30 - 11:00 A.M. and we caught about double that and 4 rather large cats ranging from 10-18 lbs. while we were fishing for bluegill earlier in the morning.

The children in the picture are 3 of my little ones. The picture was taken yesterday afternoon after me and my father-in-law got back from fishing. I took the kids out for a little ride. A nice woman at the marina took these two pictures.

I will post some better ones later on.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q89/sharrison1/Tracker2.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q89/sharrison1/Tracker1.jpg