New 90 HP Motor Choice.... Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki????????

[saltyballs]

I am in the market for a 90 HP 4 stroke. I have always stuck with Yamaha but want to keep an open mind. I see a lot of people on this site use Suzuki. I would love to hear all arguments, problems, etc for the motor you use.......

An open mind is one thing but I won't consider a Merc. :-X

Thanks

[Fillet1]

Yamahas are great motors. I went with the Suzuki for a few reasons. First, it was 1000.00 cheaper. Second it had a six year warranty at the time. Third, it has a higher alternator output. Fourth, it has a self adjusting timing chain rather than a belt that needs adjustment. Fifth, I have friends that swear by them.

You really cant go wrong with any of the new four strokes. Hondas are sweet too. The yammie likely has higher resale value and a better network of service centers than suzuki or honda. Its a matter of what you like and where you can get it serviced if necessary.

[al_e._gator]

Do you have service available for all of them in your area? I might have gone with Suzuki but I don't have support in my area. My choices were Merc, Evinrude or a 2 hour drive to the nearest Yamaha dealer. I picked the Evinrude E-tec 90 and have been very impressed with this outboard. It's very quiet, doesn't smoke, gets me on plane quick and has run +/- 40 on my 198 DLV. I know you said you wanted 4 stroke but I'm impressed enough with the 'rude to mention it anyway.

Oops, forgot one cool thing about the e-tec, you can pull start it with a rope. It has magneto ignition and can be started if your battery is dead.

[Loki]

Like everyone else said, whichever dealer you like best and is going to service the motor. They are all so close these days you might as well draw numbers from a hat.


If you curious, I have the 115 suzi and love it.

[otter]

al-e gator that is quite a report. I have been toying with getting a 90 hp for a 2180 dlx. It should push it about the same speek. What really sells me is the pull rope cranking. Is that a strong man thing or could anybody rope crank it? Also how did you check your speed? GPS or other means?

[al_e._gator]

I don't have GPS yet so it's not accurate but I was being chased by my BIL in his Tahoe Q6 one day and he said I was doing 38 with 4 (2A, 2C) on board (just before he left me sitting still) :(. Even if real speed loaded is as low as 35 I'm still "fast enough" and I know I'm over-propped running a 13.75X17. So far I have only hit 4800 WOT and I need to get closer to 5500 for this engine.

The sheer difference in size and weight compared to the Optimax sold me on the etec. I could have had a Merc 115 for the price of the etec 90 but I do not have buyers remorse at all. I just reread your post and noticed you're looking at a 2180, I think I would go with the 115 instead of 90 for that boat even with the flatter bottom and shallower draft. On the rope start, I haven't tried it yet but a guy posted on another forum (can't remember which one) that he had ran his battery down and had to use the rope. He said it started within one rotation of the crank. He didn't make it sound like he had to really pull on it hard or anything. BTW the rope is not permanently installed on the engine. It comes in the document bag and you have to wind it onto the flywheel by hand before using it. I carry mine in my rear dry storage area with the rest of my emergency supplies.

[workinprogress]

Saltyballs--I'm relaying information about someone else's motor. I have a friend who bought a 21ft Mako 6 months ago and went with the 250hp Suzuki because of the 6yr warranty. He loves it, and hasn't had the first problem yet. I've been out on the boat a few times and I can't imagine a smoother, quieter motor. Even at 250hp, he says he barely puts any gas in it. Where are you located? I could recommend a really good Suzuki dealership in Naples, FL.

[saltyballs]

Thanks for all the info. I hope to find a 1-3 year old used motor now that I have researched new motor prices. I have a 1998 Tracker 75 HP(made by Mercury) on the boat now but it is loud and seams to drink the fuel pretty quick. It runs right at 35 mph at 5100 RPM. Let me know If any of you in Florida run accross any late model 75-90 HP (non-Mercury) motors for sale.

I can get all brands serviced around here so I am still undecided. Sounds like the Suzuki or Yamaha might be the to go but I will have to just wait and see what comes up for sale.

Thanks for the input,

[lakebiker]

Thanks for all the info. I hope to find a 1-3 year old used motor now that I have researched new motor prices. I have a 1998 Tracker 75 HP(made by Mercury) on the boat now but it is loud and seams to drink the fuel pretty quick. It runs right at 35 mph at 5100 RPM. Let me know If any of you in Florida run accross any late model 75-90 HP (non-Mercury) motors for sale.

I can get all brands serviced around here so I am still undecided. Sounds like the Suzuki or Yamaha might be the to go but I will have to just wait and see what comes up for sale.

Thanks for the input,




Please, don't make your decision on your Tracker. The only thing on it that's really up too Merc standards is the decal. It's actually a Force which was Merc's first nightmare.
Too add to your options, the Merc 4 stroke top ends are YAMAHA's. I've got them both, old Mercs and new Yama 90F and yes, I love it. That said, NO way would I go with a 90 anything on a 2180. I've read reports of some (of course you can find reports on them all) of issues with the Suzi's IF you have top end problems. My best friend has one and loves it but, it likes spark plugs. You can find all the good and bad you want on either one. Sounds like you're happy with the Yama's, I would stay with them, just not a 90hp. My worthless 2 cents.
012

[saltyballs]

I am not sure where the 21ft came from but I agree. That would be very under powered. I am putting it on an old Carolina skiff 18ft. I does 35mph with the 75 hp Tracker so a 90 4 stroke should be perfect.

Thanks for the info....

[lakebiker]

You will love the Yama 90F. Before the trolling motor, batteries, etc etc. I could get by myself on the gps 43 mph on a 1980 DLX. At trolling speeds, 7-9 mph, ALL DAY LONG, maybe 15 gal of fuel and that's off shore and not counting the miles of waterway getting there. Going up to the Bay or OBX for 3-4 days, I don't ever add fuel till I get home. GO FER IT. 012

[Vardar]

Great combo. I am doing around 33-35mph with my Yamaha, and I want little more speed for slalom skiing, this 70 pulls tubes just fine and takes me from A to B fast enough, but I think 90hp will fly aroind 40-45 mph.

Where to I post to ask swapping with someone or selling my 70 Yamaha? I might just end up paying few bucks to trade in for 90hp?




Thanks


I am not sure where the 21ft came from but I agree. That would be very under powered. I am putting it on an old Carolina skiff 18ft. I does 35mph with the 75 hp Tracker so a 90 4 stroke should be perfect.

Thanks for the info....