Yamaha vs Mercury outboard. Does it even matter?

[dubya1982]

We have selected a few different boats that have caught our interest and we plan on buying on within the week.

One is a G3 Suncatcher pontoon (feels like a very solid built boat) with a Yamaha 150.

The other is a Lowe tritoon with a Merc 150.

We like the overall feel of the G3 more, but I like the fact that the Lowe is a tritoon instead of a pontoon. The price on them is the same.

Any opinions on build quality of one vs the other? Also, which motor do you prefer and is the preference enough that it should be considered heavily in the boat we choose?

 

[OK Toon]

Re: Yamaha vs Mercury outboard. Does it even matter?

I would def go with the tritoon over a pontoon. That will be our next purchase.

 

[dubya1982]

Re: Yamaha vs Mercury outboard. Does it even matter?

I would def go with the tritoon over a pontoon. That will be our next purchase.

From Broken Arrow, eh? I'm right up the road from you (Tahlequah). What lake do you use your boat on?

 

[trout74]

Re: Yamaha vs Mercury outboard. Does it even matter?

I would def go with the tritoon over a pontoon. That will be our next purchase.

I 2nd this comment. all things being equal ( yes is would buy a Yamaha or a Mercury, flip the coin ) I would take three toons over 2 any day, I have had both and I love having three.

Trout

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Yamaha vs Mercury outboard. Does it even matter?

For the same money, go for the Lowe. The Mercury 150 FourStroke is a great motor for that hull, and you should be seeing 40 mph out of such a package.

Twin pontoon boats usually have a 115 hp max. horsepower, and installing 150 hp is a waste of money. Any twin toon boat is hard to get much over 30 mph, and they just won't perform like a tritoon with lifting strakes.

You might check if there's a Bennington, Harris, Premier or Manitou dealer around. The have different lines of boat to suit anyone's price range. There are also a dozen other fine brands of pontoons/tritoons on the market that I'd be perfectly proud to own.

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Yamaha vs Mercury outboard. Does it even matter?

I thought we would get around 40mph with our Mercury 150 also and it didn't happen, no where near it. The first one that was on our boat blew up when the dealer was test riding it out.
I would go with the Yamaha, I won't own another Mercury.

 

[BigDfromTN]

Re: Yamaha vs Mercury outboard. Does it even matter?

I think I would opt for the Tri-toon as well.

You did not mention the year of these but I assume newer. There were a few years that the Mercury 4 strokes were actually Yamaha engines on Mercury lowers. You might check that out if you are leaning toward the Yamaha.

Best of Luck in your search!

 

[crb478]

Re: Yamaha vs Mercury outboard. Does it even matter?

If you have rough waters at all I would go for the tritoon over the pontoon. I would rather have the Yamaha motor, but would not be afraid of the mercury. I have had better luck with Yamahas, but that doesn't mean someone else may not have had better luck with mercurys

 

[OK Toon]

Re: Yamaha vs Mercury outboard. Does it even matter?

From Broken Arrow, eh? I'm right up the road from you (Tahlequah). What lake do you use your boat on?

We have a place on Eufaula. With you being in Tahlequah I'm guessing you will be boating on Tenkiller? I love that lake -- very deep and clear. Eufaula on the other hand has many shallow areas and very murky.

Are you looking at buying from an individual or from a dealer? Here in Tulsa, I've heard good things about Bayer Marine -- they sell Lowe with Merc motors. We bought our pontoon from an individual that was originally purchased in OKC. So it is a Lowe with a Yamaha. I love the Yami motor. But I have to go to Bayer if I need anything for the Lowe boat and I have to go to Nichols Marine if I need anything for the Yami motor. Nichols sells Bennington -- love the boats, but the price is just a bit too much for me. I think our next boat will be a tritoon Lowe and I guess I'll just get happy with a Merc motor. Go for the tritoon if it has strakes and underskinning with the 150. As others have mentioned, the 2 toon is not usually rated for anything more than 115 and they just can't get on top of the water like a tritoon with strakes. The underskinning just makes for a quieter smoother ride (since the waves don't crash up on the crossmembers).

 

[The Woo Woo Kid]

Re: Yamaha vs Mercury outboard. Does it even matter?

Twin pontoon boats usually have a 115 hp max. horsepower, and installing 150 hp is a waste of money. Any twin toon boat is hard to get much over 30 mph, and they just won't perform like a tritoon with lifting strakes.

Not exactly. My 22 ft twin toon w/strakes, 135 Optimax does 41 mph. Great gas mileage too.

 

[BigDfromTN]

Re: Yamaha vs Mercury outboard. Does it even matter?

A little off topic here for you Oklahoma boys....




Alligator snapping turtle is surprising catch by angler - GrindTV.com

 

[dpeslinger]

Re: Yamaha vs Mercury outboard. Does it even matter?

We would really like to have more info, as another member stated, year, model and length would be nice.

that said I have an 08 lowe tri toon 22' with merc 115. full performance package. LOVE IT!! the g3 (pontoon) will not compare with the ride I get. I too am from ok. I am on kerr and tenkiller a lot. maybe we'll run across each other on the water.