New Outboard Recommendations

[Chesapeake224]

Hi All,
My 2001 Mercury 50hp outboard is on its last legs - hoping to get one more season out of it but looking to upgrade for next year. Any recommendations? Heard good things about Yamaha 50hp high thrust. Thoughts about moving up to 60 or 70 hp? Thanks for your replies

[DaveC426913]

Honda BF-50!

There was one aboard Red Skull's plane with Captain America when it plowed into Greenland. Dug up decades later and started on first try.

[kurz]

chose the HP you want. Then go to the cheapest

Well I think all the big brands run ok.
But when I boght my motor there were differents from up to 3000 bucks...

Nobody knows what will be in 10 years... Are we allowed to burn fuel? What will be the price to do it? And so on...

[dlandersson]

I suggest you look at local dealer support, then price. The best deal in the world is worth zip if you can't get good, local service.

[Jimmyt]

DL is spot on!

Going through that right now with my Etec. Love the motor - no local factory certified support. Closest in state is about 120 mile round trip tow, and they don't even respond to email requests from their service website - which offers direct email contact. Local dealership is closing and has no technicians.

I need a water pump, low end lube, and thermostat; plus the normal 300 hr/3yr checks. Guess I'll have to do it myself. Got a lot going on, so I'd rather pay a shop, but even if they were responsive, a 120 mile tow, is not that appealing. It will be another 120 miles on the beast -as I'm sure they won't do it while I wait.

Even when doing it myself, I like buying my parts from a person locally. I want to see my part before I leave the shop - not spend two days waiting for it only to find out I have to ship it back and try again.

Guess I've become a grumpy old man.

All of that to say, DL+1 !

[Ammiraglio]

I also agree with DL.

26X, Tohatsu 50HP, very happy with it, and the dealer/mechanic is a 3 minute walk away in the same marina, so all the warranty work, maintenance, winterization, etc. is a breeze (I'm totally incompetent with anything mechanical).

[Tomfoolery]

Get off my lawn!

I agree especially about having a qualified dealer/service center as close as possible, especially if you're based in one place primarily, as opposed to doing the Great Loop where you won't be near any one dealer for very long anyway.

[Jimmyt]

you know me too well!

[mallardjusted]

I have the 70 Yamaha. Excellent, perfect for the Mac, only weighs a couple more pounds than the 50. My best 2 upgrades are this outboard and the dual axle aluminum trailer!

[Berber Boy]

I replaced my stolen ETEC 60 with a 75HP ETEc on my . It has, solved for me the controlling of the stern while slowly approaching mooring in adverse winds. Because of the added power I can stop much more quickly therefore allowing me to approach quickly with more control) and then come to a halt when needed.
It is economical too
BB

[Banner_IV]

Guess that should be a criteria as well.

In no particular order

Power x Weight x Price x Service x and of course Color!

Some manufactures have classes of engines different HP but very little or no difference in weight. Always a difference in price!

[gyroplanes]

I had a mystery problem with the factory Tohatsu (Nissan) and wound up buying a Suzuki 90hp. I had it installed and the total price was around 10K.

Heavier that the 50hp, certainly more power. Rendered the swim ladder inop. and haven't found a replacement. i might make it like the companionway steps, with secured pull pins and some pool floatie tubes to keep it near the surface for clumsy installers.

[JotaErre]

I have a Yamaha and I'm very happy with it.

[1st Sail]

I believe the long term consensus on this forum is they are all well made and dependable. From many past articles on the very same subject all agree quality local service is priority number one. 4 stroke seem to run a little quieter than the 2 strokes. 2 stroks are a little lighter then the 4 strokes. Not a big deal. physically slightly smaller power head than 4's so you have a little more boarding room on the M at the stearn (minor advantage).

I can only speak for the Etec 50: zero maintenance year over year. For winter storage you can autofog the cylinders and your done. Regardless of OB be sure to raise and lower the engine to drain all water out of the head if you store below freezing. Change the impeller every 300hrs or three years. No oil filter or oil change. Have the engine programmed for X100 oil if not already programmed. Meets and exceeds all emission standards.
I run 14 x 11 prop which runs WOT at 5900-6000 rated rpm.

[Cougar]

It makes perfect sense that you heard good things about the Yamaha 50 High Thrust. Because that's what it is, a high thrust engine. Meaning lower top speed and much more torque. Bear in mind that Yamahas are expensive and the 50 HT is even more. That said, it might be the ultimate machine for a power sailor.