Thread: 9.9 HP vs 15 HP,...which to go with on a Lund A-14

Don't want to get something started, but I have a lot of "friends" that fish 15 hp on lakes that allow only 10 hp. They have changed the cover form 15 to 9.9 or they changed the decals on the motor shroud. They don't like to talk about it very much, but you can see the difference when they are running on the lake at top speed. Just food for thought.

Originally Posted by Shellback

Go with the 9.9. You will be able to use your boat on the lakes you wish, and the weight of the motor will be easier for you to handle. Whatever motor you choose, make sure you get the alternator package with it. Even though you might not choose an electric start motor, it's nice have the battery charging capabilities for your depth finder, gps, and navigation lights.

Weight seems to be the issue with four stroke outboards,and after checking the weights on the Merc four strokes I have in mind,the 9.9 is about 30 lbs.
lighter than the 15. Given the fact that I fish mostly for blue gill,crappie ,and perch on small to moderate size lakes with 10 MPH speed limits and/or 10 HP
limits,I can most likely live with a 9.9 Mercury four stroke on a light weight
Lund A-14 utility-v bottom. Very seldom,if ever,do I have anyone else in the boat with me,so again,I believe I can live with a 9.9 HP motor. I carry very little equipment on board; mostly one or two poles, a small tackle box,bait,
and my wire mesh fish basket,...hardly any weight there to speak of. So,to those of you recommending the 9.9 motor over the 15 motor,...I have chosen to go with the 9.9! I will call my dealer and tell him to scratch the 15 and put on a 9.9 motor instead! Now,I just need the next six to seven months to save for the down payment. Until then,the old Sea Nymph will do for now!
But just think of how much better fuel economy I will have with a 9.9 HP
four stroke over the old 18 HP Evinrude I am running on my current boat.

I have a 9.9 merc 4 stroke with the yamaha heads and the 15hp carb on a 16ft.river jon. It can take me about along at pretty good clip. The 3 gallon tank will last a long long time.......

My opinion. If your going to spend the cake on a newer 4 stroke and and you want the 15 horse go ahead and get it. Also consider that horsepower to wieght ratio I think is better with a tohatsu and is cheaper. And what i am really getting at is since your spending the money anyway go with an older 70's or 80's Johnson/evinrude 9.9 with 15 carb or 15 with 9.9 hood and you can pick that up for 400-500 probably anyway where and you can use it only when you go to horsepower restricted lakes. If you absolutely dont want to be pulling that 4 stroke off and storing it from time to time when you go to the horsepower restricted lakes then just go with the 9.9 from the get go. This way your all legal, can fish anywhere you want, and if it takes 15 mintues to get to your hole rather 10 well thats ok. I tend to pay more attention to shorline structure/cover when i am moving slow anyway......

Originally Posted by WestTennCrappie

My opinion. If your going to spend the cake on a newer 4 stroke and and you want the 15 horse go ahead and get it. Also consider that horsepower to wieght ratio I think is better with a tohatsu and is cheaper. And what i am really getting at is since your spending the money anyway go with an older 70's or 80's Johnson/evinrude 9.9 with 15 carb or 15 with 9.9 hood and you can pick that up for 400-500 probably anyway where and you can use it only when you go to horsepower restricted lakes. If you absolutely dont want to be pulling that 4 stroke off and storing it from time to time when you go to the horsepower restricted lakes then just go with the 9.9 from the get go. This way your all legal, can fish anywhere you want, and if it takes 15 mintues to get to your hole rather 10 well thats ok. I tend to pay more attention to shorline structure/cover when i am moving slow anyway......

I could not have said all that any better myself,...what I am getting at is that you bring up some very good points there. I have,from time to time,
thought about going Tohatsu over a Mercury(same motor basically,especaially
in the 2.5 to 30 HP range),and who knows,...that could very well happen. In fact,I just received a Tohatsu outboard brochure and DVD in the mail today.
But,...I am done with two strokes,though! I am going four stroke on my next boat. So,...will it be a Mercury or Tohatsu now? I will take either one and yes
the Tohatsu is just a tad lighter than the Mercury. Whether a 9.9(9.8 in Tohatsu version)or a 15,the motor stays on the boat and I use a motor lock
for security,...the best one I can find.