Who makes the best 4-stroke outboards and 4-stroke I/O?

[squale]

I am looking at getting a Pontoon boat, and considering either a 4-stroke outboard or an I/0? I am looking anywhere in the 125hp to 350hp range, not sure yet what I need. But wanted to know people's opinions on who makes the best 4-stroke outboards and who makes the best 4-stroke inboards?<br /><br />Plus I heard talk about a new V6 4-stroke I/O by Mercruiser that puts about 270hp.. does anybody know about this? Is it a brand new 2004 model and is it good?<br /><br />I will be very interested in what everybody here has to say. Thanks

 

[JB]

Re: Who makes the best 4-stroke outboards and 4-stroke I/O?

I'm going to move this to General Outboard, NTBM.<br /><br />There aren't any bad 4 stroke outboards being made, though the Yamaha/Merc 200/225 are having some recalled problems.<br /><br />You will get better answers after you decide what power you need.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Who makes the best 4-stroke outboards and 4-stroke I/O?

270hp V6? Wow...what's the displacement on that thing?

 

[josip_voyager]

Re: Who makes the best 4-stroke outboards and 4-stroke I/O?

As you can see from this website, Yamaha and especially Honda have the very small number of engine problems (I can also say that for Tohatsu and Suzuki too), unlike Mercury/Mariner and Johnson/Evinrude which have a lot of problems with their engines. <br /><br />In this moment only Japanese are building 4 stroke outboards. Mercury are taking their four strokes from Yamaha, and Johnson from Suzuki. Evinrude doesn't have four strokes at all.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Who makes the best 4-stroke outboards and 4-stroke I/O?

josip, if Johnson/Evinrude are having problems, why do you list Suzuki as "Better", beings the Johnson 4-strokes are camo'd Suzukis'?????????

 

[josip_voyager]

Re: Who makes the best 4-stroke outboards and 4-stroke I/O?

Because when people talk about Johnson's outboard, they usually think about classic two strokes Johnson outboards, not the four strokes. That's the reason why. Please check on this forum Johnson/Evinrude directory and you'll see.

 

[JB]

Re: Who makes the best 4-stroke outboards and 4-stroke I/O?

Ahoy, Josip.<br /><br />I disagree with your conclusion that Mercs and JohnnyRudes have "a lot of problems".<br /><br />The number of requests for help on this board is proportional to the number of engines in service that have owners who want to do their own maintenance. There may be dozens of JohnnyRudes and Mercs that fit that description for each Honda, Suzi, Tohatsu, etc.<br /><br />I agree that Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Tohatsu are good, reliable engines, but we don't see requests for help on 1950s models of that ilk.<br /><br />That many JohnnyRudes and Mercs are still in regular service after 30, 40, even 50 years service says a great deal more about reliability than simply counting posts.<br /><br />Think about it.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Who makes the best 4-stroke outboards and 4-stroke I/O?

Yea, what he (JB) said........ I've still got a 1954 10hp that runs like a top.<br /> As JB said....10:1 on J/E over all others.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Who makes the best 4-stroke outboards and 4-stroke I/O?

Hello <br /> gotta agree. OMC had some quality control issues in the late 90s. but I am not the maytag man. I am presently or have been certified in merc,mariner yamaha suzuki force mercruiser and volvo penta. most of my work is yam and omc.most everybody makes a reliable engine now. i distrust dfi so far . to complicated and not real good support. give it 6-8 years in saltwater and they all die.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[josip_voyager]

Re: Who makes the best 4-stroke outboards and 4-stroke I/O?

I can agree with JB that there are not bad outboards. But still Mercs and Evinrude/Johnson have far more bugs than Japanese outboards. <br />You can get better picture if I tell you that Yams and Mercs have approximately same market share (around 35%) from 780.000 sold pieces of outboards in the world pro year (only in US around 370.000 pieces). And for me is the most important to have reliable engine when I am on the sea. <br />Answer to walleyehead:<br />I agree with your opinion about direct injected two strokes, but I am more radical. I don't trust four strokes with electronic injection technology and four valves pro cylinder (Suzuki in 40-250 range, Honda and Yamaha in high power range – over 100 PS I think).