Mercury vs. Yamaha 90-115 HP range

[DoktorC]

The command trust has the bigger lower from the 150hp. It will be or should be standard equipment on a pontoon.

Gives you more thrust, particularly in reverse.

[Bodhi]

When in doubt, hang black on the back...

[XstreamVking]

Yammi's motors and parts are gonna go up in price when the fair trade tariffs kick in.....Already overpriced.

[TooStroked]

Yammi's motors and parts are gonna go up in price when the fair trade tariffs kick in.....Already overpriced.

It's a good thing the parts I buy for my Mercury outboard aren't over priced. Is it a coincidence that my local Mercury dealer is right next door to a Proctologist office? I think not.

[FMP]

And where is all the Quicksilver Mercruiser Merc stuff made?

[XstreamVking]

Most stuff is made by the cheapest vendor that can be found. Hopefully more will start being made in the US. I don't want to get into a merc vs yammi with you guys. Just saying that the mercs might have an even better price advantage in the future. I think you know I would buy a Merc even if it was twice the price. If you love yammi's buy them...I have ran yammi's and wasn't impressed. But, that is just my experience as a charter boat operator with over 45 yrs of running boats of all types.

[dcarter]

I have been looking at these for a while as a repower.
Yamaha 115 SHO weight 377 pounds and needs valves adjusted during service (Dual overhead cam motor). Strong motor and very well liked. Only problem is right now a lot of the SHO motors are on back order and saying late 2018 early 2019 delivery. Check with your dealer to see if he has one or can get one. gear ratio 2.15
Mercury 115 pro xs weight 363 pounds never needs valves adjusted (single overhead cam motor). Can be ordered with 2 gear ratios (regular 2.07 or command thrust 2.38) as already mentioned. The command thrust is what most are going for in the pontoon crowd but I have heard of the small tin boat guys running them so they can swing a bigger prop. Readily available and also very well liked.
I don't think you can go wrong with either but I think the Yamaha may be a touch more expensive. I am sure which ever one you get you will be happy.

[FMP]

Sure, they're both great.

Made here, that's what the big boss man is trying to get done.

[blacktruck]

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.

Both are great, I love Merc, but I think the 115 Yamaha is only slightly heavier (377) compared to the Merc 115 CT (363). Definitely not 100 Lbs. And the Yamaha 90 is less at 353. Can't loose with either.

https://yamahaoutboards.com/en-us/ho...115-50-hp/f115

https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/...oke/75-115-hp/

[dcarter]

How about go around back and talk to the shop foreman and riggers for the dealer. Ask them what they like and don't like. Ask what customers frequent complaints are about the pontoon setup you are looking at.

[staylor]

My GF traded in her 21 'toon w/70 Yamaha for a 24' toon w'115 Merc 4S standard lower unit. I propped it down in pitch from what the dealer had on it simply because she likes to take out large groups of people and run fairly slow. She's had the Merc for 2 seasons with zero issues and the maintenance is a breeze compared to the Yamaha- which was a 2007. Also, the Yamaha used to lose a cylinder now and then from what I suspect was a clogged injector from the crappy gas she runs- Merc so far has no troubles digesting the same gas and running slow with heavy loads. The Yamaha also was propped down in pitch 4 inches from what the dealer had on it. The other factor in her decision was that the Merc dealer is on the waterway she uses and only 2 miles from her house. The Yamaha dealer was 15 miles away, didn't stock many parts, and was not on the water so to get the rig to him if it had troubles would be a pain.
Doug

[V-bottom]

Here is my 18' pontoon running with a 115 Mercury opti with standard gearcase. Not screaming an flying but it runs 35 mph with a 4 blade stainless prop. It used to run 26 mph before I added the 3rd centre tube. ( 9-10 mph increase by adding the 3rd tube) Very pleased how well it performs and handles a load. The 3rd tube allows it to trim out a little better going through waves instead of just plowing thru them.

https://youtu.be/_GgI-nEdJOM

[FMP]

Looks faster

[bpan]

I work at a dealership where we sell Mercs, Yammies, and Suzukis. Honestly in a 4-stroke outboard the 75-115hp range are all good motors, Honda included (although heavier than the rest). If I had my choice on a pontoon from the 3 brands we sell I would choose a Mercury, with the Command Thrust gearcase, or a Suzuki. The only setback on the Yamaha is that it is a touch louder than the others.