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My '98 Mercury 50 HP is giving out and I need a replacement. Never had much luck in my area with Mercury repair help and it seems like Yamaha is the go-to engine, so I'll presume I'll have more luck with service on that brand.

Have only found 1 dealer in New Bern/Oriental, NC that has Yamaha 50-60 hp in stock, and received a quote for about $9500 for a Yamaha 50HP, with aluminum prop, controls, cables, speedo and tach.

I can spend $500 more for a stainless prop, and $500 more for a 60HP. Trying to keep costs low as possible and wanted advice. I am lucky to use the boat more than once a month, and generally just use the engine to get to my sailing spot, although that is primarily because I've been so scared of getting stranded with the Merc.

Would you suggest finding other engines that are cheaper? Or go with a good one and hope it makes a difference for re-sale and general enjoyment. Also, is it worth the money for the 10 extra hp? and the stainless prop? Can you do anything with a 20-yr-old Merc engine, or just let the new engine install team dispose of it?

Thanks for any tips to a city boy trying to learn to sail and still have some money left.

Suzuki and Yamaha have always impressed me. But that’s me.

I wouldn’t spend money on a SS prop. The aluminium is weak enough that it will take the beating rather than the engine if you hit something that doesn’t give. In all the time I’ve run outboards, I’ve only once hit something, and that was just because the water was too skinny and I hit the bottom. Sand. Took the paint off the outer radius, but that was about it.

Oh, and I would go with the 60 hp. 50 hp moves, but just barely on plane. More hp should be noticeable.

Especially 90 hp. Or 130 hp.

Tomfoolery wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2020 1:18 pm Suzuki and Yamaha have always impressed me. But that’s me.

I wouldn’t spend money on a SS prop. The aluminium is weak enough that it will take the beating rather than the engine if you hit something that doesn’t give. In all the time I’ve run outboards, I’ve only once hit something, and that was just because the water was too skinny and I hit the bottom. Sand. Took the paint off the outer radius, but that was about it.

Oh, and I would go with the 60 hp. 50 hp moves, but just barely on plane. More hp should be noticeable.

Especially 90 hp. Or 130 hp.

Excellent advice. Agree. No to SS prop, and yes to extra 10hp - if 50 and 60 are your choices.

When I was researching engines a couple of years ago I calculated that the F60 would give me about 2mph (theoretical) increase in speed over the F50. They both weigh the same so there is no weight penalty for the increased HP.

To the other part of your question, can you do all of the factory service on a new engine to maintain the warranty? Likely not. I would buy a brand that has good techs in your area. Just went through this with my Etec 300 hour service. Closest certified tech was almost 60 mile tow away. You can bet he couldn't do it while I waited either. So, I did the maintenance myself. Evinrude has since gone bust, so it will likely get harder to find good techs as time goes on.

And, you need to forget having any money left. At least, as long as you are a boat owner.

I have not been in NC in many years but Morehead City used to have two really good Marinas/boast dealers, You might take a drive and do some comparing. Getting a new outboard is going to be more about how the dealer takes care of you service after the sale. Talk to some local buyers see how their service is going. I have a friend in Jacksonville his new boat spent more time at the dealer than in the water.

Its Deja-vu all over again. I traded my '98 Merc 50 h.p. BF in on a 50 h.p. HT Yamaha back in 2013. My Yamaha has run flawlessly ever since, and the fuel injection gives a lot more peace of mind that the old carbureted Merc. I stuck with the 50 partly for the cost, and partly from the fact I didn't feel a real need to go faster! With my wife and I aboard and a "pizza oven" full of gear, I top out at 16 m.p.h. with the ballast tanks empty, and that is definitely plaining very nicely! We stay at 12 m.p.h. with ballast full, but that is still plaining. The price you quoted was a real sticker shock for me. I got my Yamaha in 2013 for about $6,500, and I got a thousand trade in for my Merc. So, installed and out the door for $5,500 was nice. Might shop around for a better deal.

Hi. ... in case it helps ... I went shopping for a Yamaha outboard a few years ago, in southwest Florida for my X. Lots of authorized Yamaha guys in my area. I got a quote from my own marina that seemed very high. He apologized and said "that's the best I can do". I got higher quotes from two other marinas near me. Then, someone explained it to me. He said that only two dealers within many miles of my place are authorized to sell Yamaha engines for 're-powering', that is, without selling a new boat at the same time. I went to one of the repower dealers and the price dropped by way over a thousand. That's what I did. I also 'heard' that you could order your engine over the internet and have the local 'new boat authorized dealers' put it on for you, but I really don't know if that's correct.
One extra comment: I got a 90 Yamaha and love it. I love the fact that it goes 18 mph (16 knots) or more, easily, with full ballast. In my opinion, it's like getting a v8 in a car: I don't need to zoom around, but it just feels more responsive even when you're going slowly.
About propellers: My dealer allowed me to try out different propellers, one at a time. Turned out that on my boat the stainless props (three different Yamaha ones) gave me a vibration at slow speeds, idle and just above. The aluminum one gave a little less top speed, but worked a lot better, for me, at idle and slow speeds, so I took it and saved a few dollars.
I hope this helps, and remember, these are just things which worked for me, not certainties.

I just repowered - from a 1995 Johnson 60 - to a Tohatsu 50. It is great and reliable. Key selling point was that I bought it from the neighboring marina, which installed it. It is a bit slower than the Johnson, but tops out at 18 mph with ballast in. That is okay for me.

Rhino wrote: ↑Sun Oct 18, 2020 6:00 pm I just repowered - from a 1995 Johnson 60 - to a Tohatsu 50. It is great and reliable. Key selling point was that I bought it from the neighboring marina, which installed it. It is a bit slower than the Johnson, but tops out at 18 mph with ballast in. That is okay for me.

Wow! A 50 doing 18 WITH ballast. That is some Too-HOT-su!

Rhino wrote: ↑Sun Oct 18, 2020 6:00 pm I just repowered - from a 1995 Johnson 60 - to a Tohatsu 50. It is great and reliable. Key selling point was that I bought it from the neighboring marina, which installed it. It is a bit slower than the Johnson, but tops out at 18 mph with ballast in. That is okay for me.

Wow my 90HP can only do 20 or 21 with the ballast in. Most 50HP motors can't break 10mph with the ballast in. My 50HP Honda could only reach 16 with the ballast out.

I would caution any potential Tohatsu 50 buyers to temper their expectations: I think Rhino must have an exceptional setup that is out of reach to most 26X or M drivers.

Starscream wrote: ↑Mon Oct 19, 2020 11:42 amMy 50HP Honda could only reach 16 with the ballast out.

Same here. 16 mph is it.

I'd certainly go with a good engine with good local support.

A plan B consideration. One thing I like about my 50HP Merc, is that it has a "pull start" capability that I hope I never need, but (like a spare tire) it's nice to know it's there.