Yamaha 25hp 2 stroke vs. Mercury 25hp Sea Pro 2-stroke

[TangTonic]

Good day,

First time poster here, hoping someone can help me decide on which outboard to buy. I have a 14' Panga with a 20hp Yamaha 4 stroke. This engine is not quite enough power for this boat. I'd like to upgrade to either a 2-stroke Yamaha 25hp (30hp if I could find one) or a Mercury Sea Pro 25hp.

I found a 2010 Yamaha 25hp with very low hours for $2,500. Or I could buy a brand new Mercury Sea Pro from smalloutboards.com for $2,595. I understand the Sea Pros are the 1996 Tohatsu engine with maybe some more heavy duty parts like impellers and such. Ideally I want the engine with the most power and being brand new is nice too, but I don't want to sacrifice longevity, corrosion resistance, or a smooth idle for a little extra power.

As far as I can tell the pros for each are-

Pros for Yamaha:
- Possibly runs better at idle based on some of the threads I have read about the Sea Pros running a little rough at idle
- Easier to find parts and service manuals (Just guessing here)
- Tough to beat the longevity of Yamahas (Also heard Tohatsus live long lives)

Pros for Sea Pro:
- Easy to upgrade to 30 hp (who doesn't want more hp?)
- Brand new engine (well its a demo so not brand new)
- Could possibly stand up to corrosion better since it is a commercial grade construction
- Could be slightly less weight than the Yamaha (Just guessing here)

If anyone can provide their opinions, input, suggestions, I would be much obliged. I live in the US Virgin Islands so there are plenty of Yamahas here. I haven't seen any Sea Pros here. There is a Mercury dealer and I plan on doing most maintenance myself.

One last question- what were the latest years that Yamaha sold 30hp engines in the US? Seems like most 30hp I see are older models.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide, I want to pull the trigger on this soon!

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Yamaha 25hp 2 stroke vs. Mercury 25hp Sea Pro 2-stroke

Welcome to the forums,

When visited VI some years back, 8 out of 10 were Tohatsu 18HP, 01, Mercury, 01 Yamaha. You have not seem many 25/30 around because are large engines for small ribs, dingies that most islander uses including rentals. 25 would be too much and exceed what's rated on transom plate.

Both are great brands, Mercury more easier to service and upgrade than Yamaha, the throttle system is very simple and reliable. You can update that horse to 30 HP for under $ 8.00, both 25 & 30 are same CC, being the 25 carb & timing restricted. For service, Mercury is a piece of cake with whipped cream. You decide, me, Mercury/Tohatsu. Impeller outlasts by 2 the duration of the Yam.

In some countries Mercury still markets old stock 15-25 HP Sea Pros made by Yamaha, which are completely different. If the throttle grip has a long shaft that goes inside engine it's a Tohatsu, Yam uses throttle cable, check to know which model is being offered.

Happy Boating

 

[TangTonic]

Re: Yamaha 25hp 2 stroke vs. Mercury 25hp Sea Pro 2-stroke

Thanks for the reply Sea Rider. I have to admit, I am leaning towards the Sea Pro. Being able to make it a 30hp for less than $10 is awesome.

If anyone else has any input, it would be much appreciated.


Thanks

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Yamaha 25hp 2 stroke vs. Mercury 25hp Sea Pro 2-stroke

Welcome to iboats.

What is your boat rated for? I have the attitude - go big or stay home.

If you are rated for 30 hp I would shop for that. I would be shopping for the larger motor from the start. Purchasing a motor and then trying to modify it just is not good business.

The boat should have a minimum of 70-75% of the rated power on the transom to plane properly. Is your boat tiller steered or does it have a console and controls?

@ stroke or 4 stoke is your choice and actually I would go with a motor that is best supported by a local dealer. In your case it sounds as if the Yamaha is the popular motor.

 

[TangTonic]

Re: Yamaha 25hp 2 stroke vs. Mercury 25hp Sea Pro 2-stroke

It's rated for a 25hp four stroke. I have a tiller 4 stroke 20hp Yamaha on there now. I think I have pretty much settled on the Sea Pro/Tohatsu. Can't beat a 30hp made with the weight of a 25 and commercial grade construction.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Yamaha 25hp 2 stroke vs. Mercury 25hp Sea Pro 2-stroke

People that doesn't know the brand well think erroneously that converting a 25 into a 30 demands stripping the engine down, changing parts, gaskets,etc. To their fully dissapointment, the tech answer is NO. It's just a carb gasket swap between models and perhaps a light timing increment depending on it's factory setting. Plenty info in the Tohatsu forums and myself if needed for state of the art conversion.

It's cheaper to buy a 25 and pass it to 30 than the cost of the factory converted 30. Both models are exactly same size, weight, even prop. Weights 10 KG less than the 4 strokes. A plus is that has a third water intake under cav plate, if side water intakes are blocked by plastic bags, kelp, etc while at speed and you have not noticed it, the third intake will keep cooling engine as nothing has happened, ain't that cool!!

If there wasn't a good delear service & parts available in VI, there weren't so many Tohatsus runing all day long, and that is something that my eyes have seen. Other issue, 2 strokes are marketed in the other 1/2 of the world, so plenty of spare parts availability, even have the option to buy spare parts through Tohatsu dealers on the net. You decide...

This should be the 25 HP, 2 strokes Mercury being currently offered, Anyway, why are you changing from 4 to 2 strokes keeping same HP ?

Happy Boating