Recommendation for 50 HP 4 cycle Out Board Motor

[Captain Kimo]

Just received word that 2 cycle Outboards are going to be banned on Lake Mead on January 1, 2013. This means that I will have to replace my 50 HP 2 cycle Johnson next year. Looking for the best buy by price and reliability for a purchase next year to comply. Lending towards the Honda based on comments made by Alaska fisherman, but open to all opinions and why a particular manufacture and model were selected. Want to stay with 50 HP as it is all I need to get in and out of the marina, and bad weather.

[Catigale]

Ive been really happy with Mercury Bigfoot 50 HP EFI...2003.

I would buy based on nearest/most convenient authorised repair shop to my sailing venue.

For getting out of marina, a 9.9 would do the job nicely at 1/3 to 1/4 the cost - plus you dont have to pay to install it, and you can resell it at 3/4 value if you sell the boat.

[Hamin' X]

If you are looking at used, I've been very pleased with my Suzuki DF50. Very quiet, great economy, fuel injected, great performance and at 243 lbs, light weight. New, I'd look at the Suzuki DF70. Ultimately it will depend upon availability of local service, although my DF50 has had nothing but routine service since new.

~Rich

[magnetic]

I strongly recommend that you do not buy a Honda BF50; I inherited one on my 2008 and it is ill-suited to the boat. Get something that can swing a wider diameter prop, and with more torque at low-medium rpm

[raycarlson]

i wouldnt waste any money yet,rumors can be expensive,until you read headlines in a vegas paper or see lead stories on evening news that NPS is turning away two-strokers at meade boatramps it is just a RUMOR.there is tens of thousands of boats in the meade area powered by 2-strokes, not to mention several hundred marina owned houseboats all powered by dual 150 yamaha 2-strokes.50 thousand angry boaters twittering their congressman can change national park service policy overnight.

[Québec 1]

My 2003 Honda 50 4 stroke is going strong and I have only had 1 problem with it since I own the boat. I guess you have to know that I get it serviced by a professional mechanic once a year and if I go to Florida in the winter twice a year. I get my filters changed every year, my water pump every 3 years and my timing belt will be changed next year. I'm satisfied considering I have seen folks with many other brands of 2 and 4 stroke motors have as many if not more and serious probs with their outboards.
Q1

[Harry van der Meer]

I have been very happy with my 2001 Honda BF50. I do the annual maintenace and have had no problems.

The ability to have it locally serviced in case there is a problem is very important.

My 2c

[Tomfoolery]

Same here, but being that it's the biggest OB I've ever driven, I don't have much to compare to.

I'll probably try a 4-blade next season, based on discussions I've seen here and elsewhere, just to see if I can eek out another mph or two.

[Crikey]

I have a new Suzuki DF60A and love it. Affordable, light weight, three cylinders, four valves per cyl, sequential fuel injection, electronic ignition, NMEA 2000 and diagnostics, gears not belts. Extremely fuel efficient! I agree with Catigale to see if you have good reliable dealer support in your locale regardless of any choice you make.

Ross

[Laika 26X]

I will not recommend the outboard.

I will recommend that the choice you DO make insures SEVERAL Dealers/Certified Mechanics for that particular choice is within your comfortable driving/service distance.

"Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong" For each and every brand out there.

"Sub" Ed

[jschrade]

I suspect it's not all two strokes but the ones that have not passed the latest emissions standards. The ETEC-60's even pass the regulations for California environuts!

Jim

[Captain Kimo]

Ive been really happy with Mercury Bigfoot 50 HP EFI...2003.

I would buy based on nearest/most convenient authorized repair shop to my sailing venue.

For getting out of marina, a 9.9 would do the job nicely at 1/3 to 1/4 the cost - plus you don't have to pay to install it, and you can resell it at 3/4 value if you sell the boat.

Thanks Catigale. On my list will be Mercury Bigfoot 50 HP EFI. Like power through heading into waves, over speed.

Plan to take all suggestions to Las Vegas Marine Center on Boulder Hwy. Been my boat life saver for years and trust their opinion. When last asked about switching to 4 cycle and give an opinion, "Will" the Shop Manager, pointed out 2 cycle has simpler maintenance procedures, lighter weight, and my 1996 Johnson was still running well. Shop is part of extended family owned businesses with Las Vegas Boat Harbor marina, and Dry Dock Boat distributor. All other marinas on Lake Mead are concessions run by Forever Resorts. Have to say, service from an extended family own business seems a lot better than from a corporation run business from customer service point of view.

Need the extra power to run quickly to safe cove with sudden unpredicted weather coming from Southwest. With high rock walls surrounding most basins causing bounce back of wind waves, have confused wave action in high wind conditions and 30-50 MPH gusts. Not to mention funneling effect of wind down coves. Never thought lake sailing could be so demanding.

[mastreb]

I would be certain that you can't continue to use your present motor by waiting until you get ticketed. That's cheaper than replacing a working motor. I would also be certain that you cannot use the modern direct injected two-strokes such as the ETEC-60, which I'm really happy with an is exempt from the "no two-stroke" rules on California lakes.

[bscott]

My 08 E-tec 60 is gov't certified 3 Star California Air Resources and has the EPA Clean Air Excellence Award decal on the cowling==highly unlikely that E-TEC will be banned either now or in the future. No smoke, no smell, and quiet.

One safety feature of the E-TEC is that it starts immediately even after it has been tilted and sloshed back and forth=drop it into the water and GO. The 25 amp charging system has always kept my batterys topped off and can be hand started with 1/2 a rope turn. Only 237# on the stern for great balance and easy steering even when tilted up. I use about 1 gallon of $49.00 X100 oil per year on lake sailing at 8.100' alt

Same plugs since new

Bob

[Captain Kimo]

My 08 E-tec 60 is gov't certified 3 Star California Air Resources and has the EPA Clean Air Excellence Award decal on the cowling==highly unlikely that E-TEC will be banned either now or in the future. No smoke, no smell, and quiet.

One safety feature of the E-TEC is that it starts immediately even after it has been tilted and sloshed back and forth=drop it into the water and GO. The 25 amp charging system has always kept my batterys topped off and can be hand started with 1/2 a rope turn. Only 237# on the stern for great balance and easy steering even when tilted up. I use about 1 gallon of $49.00 X100 oil per year on lake sailing at 8.100' alt

Same plugs since new

Bob

I am curious, why is the E-TEC 60 being referenced in the trend rather than an E-TEC 50. Is there something special about the 60 over the 50?