Merc vs. Yamaha

[Gary]

I need straight answers. I want to buy a 24' v-hull with a single 250 hp salt water outboard. Which is more reliable? Does Yamaha really corrode first? Which will be faster?

[seacow]

gary, i work on both all the time, the yamaha in my opinion is a better engine but they do corrode alot worse. the one thing they do bad!!! in salt water is eat shift shafts about every 4 years which means pulling the power head, oh yeah which sucks because they have 2 bolts that always!!! break off when pulling. all and all the yamaha is going to idle alot better than the mercury in slow trolling app., they can idle all day at 500 rpm's instead of 750 and they have vertualy no ignition problems. the mercury does do a good job but they just don't seem to hold up in our area which is NC on larger boats that go offshore consistently. in my experience the mercury does not corrode as bad but still have corrosion problems with the poppet valves and thermostats which all motors do. the one thing that you need to make sure of with the yamaha is that it turns over 5000 with a full load or they will get a wristpin rattle in them after time. as far as speed??? reliability is yamaha, this is just my opinion and what we see at our shop on a constant basis

[MirageMark]

YAMAHA ALL THE WAY!!!!! Seacow is a mechanic so you must respect his opinion, but we have a yamaha that goes in Saltwater all the time. The motor isn't even a Saltwater series motor and there is absolutely no corrosion whatsoever!! This motor does not stay in the water though. Yamaha outboards, by far, have the lowest maintenance of any motor out there, plain and simple! We have also had some bad luck with Mercs in the past. The saltwater series yamaha drops down on 4 cylinders while idling so as not to load up,,,this kicks butt when it comes to offshore fishing. They also are made of some high-tech alloy to prevent corrosion and the paint yamaha uses is super tough...Go with the yamaha for reliability.

Mark

[Delta]

Hey Gary:
I've been meaning to ask that one myself.
I have it on GOOD authority that the motor of choice for drug dealers is the Yamaha(dual).I suppose they don't read S&F:eek:but money is certainly no object.I wonder where they get their advice from.
I'll wait with you,to see if anyone knows!
Thanks,Delta

[Rusrog]

I have to say that in my few travels, I have seen more Yamaha's than Merc's and I have not seen as much of a corrosion problem with the Yamaha. Keep in mind; both will corrrode. It mainly depends on how meticulous you are about flushing the motors and spraying them off after use. Keep an eye on either and they will both last very well in salt conditions.

I live down here in Tampa and I see a lot of offshore boats running Yamahas. They always seem to idle so well! I always attributed it to better carburetion (on the non-efi ones). The Japs have always had better carbs on outboards, bikes and cars.

I think the outboard market is ripe for a major change and I hope BMC really steps up to the plate. Yamaha is proof that it can be done and they have nothing in the performance scene! Kinda like Dodge getting back into NASCAR. Who would've ever imagined that 5 years ago?

If I wasn't a gear head and was buying a stock offshore boat, I wouldn't mind Yammys on the back.

-bll

[WillyT]

I know you said you want a 250, but would you consider the new 225 Honda 4 stroke? Not sure what Honda's record is in the area of corrosion, but it seems that they have traditionally demonstrated dependability and smoothness. The test report I read also implied that a higher horsepower version of this engine is likely in the future.