Mercury vs. Yamaha 90-115 HP range

**4Speed** · 03-18-2018, 09:07 AM

I have always been a Mercury man but just wanted the see what the S&F community thinks.
Looking to buy a 20-22' pontoon boat and the dealer I am working with sells Mercury & Yamaha. The motor will be in the 90 -115 HP, range is there any pros/cons between the 2 for the application?

**TooStroked** · 03-18-2018, 10:09 AM

I've always been a Mercury guy too. (I still have a Merc on my Progression and love it.) But I work at a marina where (among other things) we sell Bennington pontoon boats with Yamaha outboards. I have to tell you, the Yamahas are flat out awesome. The real acid test is our rental fleet where we run 150 Yamahas on triple tube 22' Benningtons. They just run and run and run. I'm impressed, but that's just my two cents.

**eli** · 03-18-2018, 10:51 AM

yamaha built mercs ? worked on a few years ago dont know if this is still going on

**XstreamVking** · 03-18-2018, 01:56 PM

I have to laugh when yammi guys lavish praise on them. Mercs are just as good and even better in some instances. It's like the chevy /ford/dodge wars that have waged for 50 yrs..I run merc opti's on my charter boats. Nothing better out there for what I need, or I would have it.

**delawarerick** · 03-18-2018, 04:18 PM

New or old (used)?

**4Speed** · 03-18-2018, 04:30 PM

Going with a new motor given the short Maine season... See to much junk where people want new motor prices.

**delawarerick** · 03-18-2018, 04:48 PM

My vote is yamaha although I like mercury from what I see they seem to last even in the heavy salt here.

**RSWORDS** · 03-19-2018, 08:08 AM

Both are good motors. The mercury is 100x easier to do general maintenance on.

**V-bottom** · 03-19-2018, 11:16 AM

Depending how fast you want to go the 90-115 hp might be too small for a 20-22' depending how many people are usually on board. I have a 115 Merc opti (3 cyl. ) on my 18' pontoon and works well for up to 8 people. I usually have 4-6 people most times. Most 22 footers that i see usually have a 150 hp....not that you have to drive around wide open all day but if the weather changes it is nice to get back in a hurry.
Not sure if you are considering a centre tube (tritoon) - I picked up 10 mph by adding the centre tube to mine.

**msm** · 03-21-2018, 10:08 AM

Around here 90 percent of the Mercurys in the 90 - 115 hp range on pontoons have the larger Command Thrust lower unit. It's something for you to consider since I don't think Yamaha offers that option in the power range you're considering.

**home made tunnel** · 03-23-2018, 06:18 PM

Your best deal is this: Merc 4-stroke 115hp with command thrust - about $8500 brand new.
The merc 4-strokes are inline 4 cylinders, and easy as pie to do oil changes, filters, spark plugs, etc. Also a lot more options for controls, gauges, wiring, accessories, and longer 5 yr warranty.

Yamaha's are more expensive, an extra 100lbs heavier, and an absolute BEAR to do maintenance on. If you open the hood up, you'll see there is no room to turn a wrench.

**FMP** · 03-23-2018, 07:07 PM

Ported and cammed yet?

**DoktorC** · 03-24-2018, 08:51 AM

If you're buying new they are equal. Buy the one you can get serviced/buy parts for easiest. I sell merc's at work but I run yamaha's on my own boats and it's my experience that you'll love either. You're boating experience will be MUCH better if you buy from the dealer you like best...service in season is vastly more important than the colour of your engine on a pontoon.

**Markus** · 03-25-2018, 07:58 AM

The Yamaha is built in Japan by one of the leading engine manufacturers in the world, with a corporate culture that is all about engineering excellence.

The Mercury is built in the United States by the leading bowling equipment manufacturer in the world, with a corporate culture that is all about marketing. (I think it is still only 40-60 hp engines that are built in China)

If the Mercury is of good enough quality, is lighter and is easier to service, that may swing the needle towards the Mercury.

Which one is the newer design? 4-stroke outboards are still evolving rapidly...

**4Speed** · 03-25-2018, 08:10 AM

Excellent input & much appreciated. The dealer that I am looking at purchasing the "toon" from sells both Mercury & Yamaha and although not the closest dealer to my house, I go by their dealership every weekend on the way to camp. If I should have a issue I can pull it out of the water and drop it off on the Sunday trip home then if all is well, pick it up on Friday on the way back.

That is the advantage with the Command Thrust?