Yamaha vs. Mercury Outboard

[h2ofowlr]

I am looking at powering a smaller skiff with a 40 h.p. 4-stroke outboard motor.  Any pro's or con's in regards to Mercury's or Yamaha's.  I am looking at those instead of the Honda and Etec as I have located a seller of each that is offering a decent deal.  Which one will be a more reliable engine?

[BigGoonTuna]

based on personal experiences, i'd go with yamaha every time.

[huntnphool]

based on personal experiences, i'd go with yamaha every time

 

[cohoho]

Personal opinion you can't beat Yamaha for the small motors like kickers etc, but for the mid range motors, if you running a pump, nothing compares to E-Tec for performance.  In a prop mid range motor I think your probably suited with any of them, maybe where ever you get the best deal..... I had a Honda 50hp in a pump, perfect weight to thrust for what I had it on to get 35hp out of the pump end.  When I put on the prop lower end I would run like a raped ape...  I up graded to a Honda 90HP pump and smoked anything out there that could run shallow, until I got to try an E-TEC, holly crap, it was light years faster than the Honda 90.... But reliablity was your question, wasn't it?  Four stroke will be easier for maintenace...

[fishcrazy]

If running a prop I would go with Yami hands down. Great engines!!! 

Mercury has gotten left behind by the others. Customer service sucks!!! The only thing Murcury can make is the Sport Jet. And if Yami or Evinrude biult one it would be better. IMO

I own 2 merc motors.

[BLKBEARKLR]

I love my Yamaha, although it is a 200HP, I have never had an issue with it. I highly recommend them.

Both quads - Yamaha
Both Snowmobiles - Yamaha

Never had any issues with anything that I have that is Yamaha

[bowtech721]

Yamaha, I dont own one but rented a thunder jet in alaska that had 3000 hours on it and it still ran like new im not kidding it was awsome. Personally run evinrude but between those two yami hands down 

[steeleywhopper]

Yamaha for sure! You could not get me to buy a boat with a Merc on it no matter what the price.

[Antlershed]

Murcury can make is the Sport Jet.

And those go through oil and gas like crazy, and sometimes catch on fire...

I would definitely go with Yamaha. 

[PolarBear]

Yamaha, none better!

[sako223]

Yamaha here too. Mercury was selling Yamaha under their colors. I think it is over now. Brunswick holdings and Yamaha might have split the sheets too.

[klickman]

Yamaha, Yamaha, Yamaha.     Run em hard every summer and no problems except running out of gas.   

KLICKMAN

[twisp_river_slayer]

i would buy a set of oars before i bought a mercury

[h2ofowlr]

I went and looked at the Etec 60 hp today?  It looks nice, don't like the price tag.  Does anyone have any good experience with those?

[Antlershed]

I know a few people with Etecs and they have been happy with them.