What 4 stroke outboard to get ?

[donny.brooke]

Honda 2.3, Merc 2.5, Yamaha 2.5, Suzuki 2.5 or Tohatsu 2.5 ?

[Sitkaspruce]

Tohatsu makes the merc and I believe now Honda. They are the second biggest outboard motor manufacture in the world

I have a Tohatsu 8hp and it has been a great motor, no complaints.

They are all good companies, go with the best deal and after sale service.

Cheers

SS

[albravo2]

I've had a couple older Tohatsu. Good motors. I also believe they make most of the small HP stuff for the other brand names.

[donny.brooke]

Leaning towards the yamaha

[Big Hoss]

Bought a new 20hp Yamaha last summer and love it so far. Haven't had it long enough to really give you a good review but in the 9 months I've owned it's been great

[yamadirt 426]

have you seen the new propane motors ? worth a look. They will take the small green propane bottles

[Brew]

I like Yamaha but I have had the same 8horse tohatsu for over 20 years and it runs like a top. Suzuki makes a great motor as well and I think I heard they have the best warranty. Not positive on that though

[scoutlt1]

I've owned a 3hp Mariner, a 20hp Yamaha, and now have a 5hp Mariner (all 2 strokes). Many years of use from them with hardly any issues.
Never owned one, but know people that own Tohatsu's and are very happy with them.

Just my 2 cents.....

[1899]

Without a doubt Suzuki. Lightweight and excellent thrust. There was a great test on the little 2.5 outboards a while ago. Do a Google search. I like Tohatsu/Nissan/Mercury as well, but they are huge in comparison. I've owned 3 Suzuki 2.5 four stroke outboards and never had a single problem or complaint.

FYI the Tohatsu 2.5 and 3.5 are the same motor. The 2.5 Suzuki on a Zodiac 310 Acti-V with one person could get on the plane! Loaded up it could hit max displacement speed at part throttle

[newfie bullet]

I bought the Tohatsu 6hp sailpro but they gave me the choice of taking it with the Nissan badging so I did......exact same motor made by Tohatsu but the nissan badging brings a little more money on resale(why I have no idea). These outboards are gas misers. Made the mistake of filling the 3gallon tank first season and used the motor to get out....sails up....motor back in and after that first season I only burned almost a half tank?....Its ridiculous how little gas they burn. First time I disconnected the gas line to run it dry...she ran for over 10 minutes. Tohatsu makes a lot of motors for the other guys but You can't go wrong with Tohatsu.

[donny.brooke]

The merc 2.5 and 3.5 get horrible reviews. There made by Tohatsu. I looked at a Honda today and it wasnt impressive. Noisey air cooled that sounds like an old vw beetle. When you start it the prop turns as it has a cetrifugal clutch that engages at 2700 rpm. The prop stops when you slow the revs down so its no good for slow trolling or slow docking etc. Suzuki dealer was the most expensive and had no stock. Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki make there own outboards. Merc, Coleman and Nissan are made by Tohatsu. I think after some googling im gunna grab the Yamaha, it has a 5 year warranty that you will probably never need.

[Jagermeister]

I had a 2000 9.9 Yamaha 4 stroke ES that went with the boat last year. That motor did yeoman service and the only costs were oil/filter, gear case lube and pump impellers on a regular basis (every 2nd or 3rd year).
That said, I now have 20 4 stroke merc and as Sitkaspruce said, made by Tohatsu as is a host of others as well. Yamaha are more coin, so if you want to pinch some pennies, buy something else.

[1899]

Are you looking at the new 2.5 Yamaha, or are they selling a non-current model? The Suzuki should be about $75 cheaper.

[donny.brooke]

Suzuki was more than the Yamaha in cost after trying to grind them a bit. Yamaha dealer moved a bit on price the Suzuki dealer wouldnt.

[chris]

Go with Yamaha. I have had tohatsu, mercury and yamaha outboards. Yamaha and Honda are the most reliable and the price reflects that.

[donny.brooke]

Picking up the Yamaha right after work today.

[snakeplain]

i have tried many two stroke and am now looking for the four stroke yamaha, 20-30 horse, i have the bigger 10hp yamaha and 115hp yamaha four stroke, they are great, smooth and QUIET, anyhow, yami is the one, good luck!!

[donny.brooke]

Picked up the yamaha after work, looking forward to tryen it out tomorrow

[JAGRMEISTER]

Check out Costco, they have a Yamaha knock off called Berkley.

[donny.brooke]

Took the new yamaha fishing what a nice unit im totally happy with it. Starts first pull everytime and runs great. Smooth and quiet.