Yamaha, Suzuki, Mercury Verado or Evinrude E-tec?

Shaftbomb · August 20, 2009, 17:17:41 CET

I'm really thinking of switching from inboard to outboard power on my boat. Im looking at motors having 300 or 350 power horses. From your experiences, what's the best motor? I know Yamaha is good but damn heavy, mercury verado has load of power but don't know it's reliability. So im leaning towards suzuki and evinrude e-tec? May be SKIP can advise more about evinrude and their modern technologies.......?

boneshaker · August 20, 2009, 18:54:43 CET

the only 350hp i know is yamaha!!!!

Shaftbomb · August 20, 2009, 19:19:41 CET

No, mercury has a 350hp verado too. Yamaha built the first 350 beast but it's tooo heavy for my boat, at leas that's what I think. They advise installing the Yamaha 350 on boats of 26ft up and mine is 22ft.

guido99 · August 20, 2009, 20:41:41 CET

If your budget allows, i would consider a twin outboard setup rather than a massive single outboard.
Then i would delve into the 2 stroke vs 4 stroke debate. I do have my opinion regarding modern 2 strokes but i wont go there yet !

Shaftbomb · August 20, 2009, 20:47:01 CET

My father is leaning towards a twin outboard setup too but that will eat too much of the bathing platform which personally I like...not to mention the extra weight......Im doing a lot of online reading about evinrude and the feedback im getting is positive, but was wondering of any local feedback?

baghira · August 20, 2009, 20:49:15 CET

Just my consideration.
RLR have no mechanics, working with them (stange enough). Even though I truly beleive that as an agent, the suppliers usually come and inspect that he has enough equipment to repair any particular fault that crops up........
Buq...........
For me No mechanics...........No after sales..............No evinrude.........

guido99 · August 20, 2009, 21:05:54 CET

The local Evinrude dealer RLR does have an Evinrude certified mechaninic available for servicing, maintenance and repairs but he operates from his workshop, not at Gzira. The people at RLR are in fact quite helpful and offer a great sevice.

sirena · August 21, 2009, 07:40:49 CET

i will opt for japanese engine for sure cos much more easier to find parts and economical.

kurtfalcon · August 21, 2009, 09:53:42 CET

To tell you the truth I wouldn't go for a 350 on a 22ft because like you said they are recommended for larger boats. I'd pick a two-stroke from a four any day. Much less maintenance costs and when it comes to fuel consumption they are similar if not better. Although I must say that i like the verados. Their supercharged 6-inline 2.6l engine system simply fascinates me. The yamaha 350 if I am not mistaken is a 5.8l V8 so I think it is very hungry for fuel. When it comes to two stroke technology today you have available 4 brands ( actually 5 considering Mercury and Mariner but they are just the same engine with a different cowl). You have the Evinrude E-tec by BRP, the Tohatsu TLDI ( although these produce outboards only up to 115 hp, but may still come in handy for a twin 115 system), the Mercury and Mariner's Optimax and finally ,although I've never seen one in Malta myself is the Yamaha HPDI.

Hope I was of any help to you.

skip · August 21, 2009, 12:59:37 CET

The Verado's haven't been out in the field for long enough to really be able to give a good summary of their reliability. They certainly look and sound the part, I'm no engineer but they are small displacement engines using a supercharger to get the required power....so the question is how reliable will they remain when they have alot of hours on them.

I would be inclined to look at the ETECs in the 2 stroke DI category and the Suzuki's that like to run a nice big displacement. Both the ETEC 300 and the Suzuki 300 are V6 engines that might suit what you're looking for, and I would go have a chat with Darius at RLR and Dominic at Zarb Stores. Visa is running a pretty large Suzuki so can give you his feedback. I don't know anyone running one of the big ETECs though.

The Optimax's are good but I'm not sure about running a big Opti on a boat that will largely be used for fishing....the majority of people in the US who go down the Opti path are running boats purely designed for speed. They are certainly very economical engines for the power they put out as are the ETECs and Suzuki's.

If you do choose a 350hp engine do some research first as the very big outboards were having some issues.

I don't have any hands on experience with these big engines but I would say do your research very carefully.....both RLR and Zarb have invested in having the right equipment and certifications to handle after sales and this would be paramount for me in deciding. As the Americans say, buy the dealer not the brand.

As for Twin engines.....if the boat can't plane on one engine then all you end up with is a very expensive auxilliary engine, versus running one large engine and having an auxilliary on the side. Imagine one engine has problems and you are 20 miles out, you will only be able to do 6-8 knots max with the other engine if it doesn't have enough power to get you past your hull speed. So may as well do the same speed with a 25hp aux.

Shaftbomb · August 21, 2009, 13:15:51 CET

I have to say that im impressed by the evinrude motors from the videos I saw on youtube. They really have torque, power, efficiency and super low maintenance! The only thing that bothered me is that they are noisy compared to a 4 stroke.
Also I want something that can give me a bit more speed. Last year with my 3 blade prop I was doing 47miles with 2 people on board and good sea conditions. This year I went for a 4 blade prop, and while giving me better mid range speed, top speed when to 43miles on the gps. If I decide to install an outboard motor I want something that cangive me 50mph plus.....

Destination Sea · August 21, 2009, 19:01:51 CET

I have a 90 Hp etec bought this year. Apart from a safetly recall and a now a slight problem with the trim and tilt (its getting in air somehow) parts are ordered and they be fixing it some time next week. So agent wise I cannot complain. With regards to the engine it a performer and hats off on this one. I cannot complain. some info
With 2 people i see about 5200rpm 30knots , with seven people i managed to get about 4800rpm (nearly four at the back and 3 middle). planning sped remained the same at about 2800/3000. Idling and slow throttle its quite but than it goes up but less than a normal 2 stroke.
Hope this helps

Shaftbomb · August 21, 2009, 19:29:25 CET

What boat do you have DestinationSea? And when loaded, let's say with seven people, does the boat plan easily and in seconds?

baghira · August 21, 2009, 19:42:36 CET

Hope you are right skip....
I will let you know, I have an ongoing issue

Destination Sea · August 21, 2009, 20:16:24 CET

to shaftbomb
I have an iside cabin 17 feet dry weight about630 kgs fibre glass deep V. can see one on the mecca site under marino.
yes it planned easily and quite quickly. apart form this teething problem with the trim and tilt (i still can use the boat but the engine keeps going down and have to re adjust often) I am quite satisfied with the engine. personally yes its a performer. consumption wise rough calculation cause the fuel gauge is on the winter agenda appx 3 people on board
its 1lt per 1 NM. crusing at about 20/22 knots. rpm at wto is appx 5100/5200 (full throttle operation range 4500/5500 )with a standard 15 inch prop (skips advice) ..down from the standard 17in supplied with the engine.
hope this helps.