Crappie brethren, which motor?

[Wood_Duck]

I'm shopping for a new bassboat right now. Depending on how I can get financed, I may be looking at a bigger used boat, but from initial talks I'll probably be looking more at new for better financing plus no worries about someone elses problems. I'm staying under 20k and if I go new right now it'll probably be a new Stratos 176 VLO. It's max rated for a 75hp and I'm between either going max with 75 Optimax, or a Yamaha F70. I'll sacrifice abit of torque and may not hit the 40mph mark with the f70, but with a jackplate I think it'll still suit my needs very well and I doubt a crappie can swim 40mph. Also I can save *Alot* of weight as in about 120lbs. And I'd imagine slightly better fuel mileage. Both motors have a good reputation and I'm a big optimax fan, but Yamaha tends to set the bar for reliability plus I have local dealer support for Yamaha since my dad works at a Yammie dealer. So your thoughts?

["G"]

Its a no brainer.......get a Yamaha

[JET4]

Yamaha

[Cray]

Set up right that Yamaha will perform right there with the Opti, beter economy, low maintaince and quiet.

[justinp61]

I have a 90 hp Yamaha (2002) on my aluminum boat, my buddy has a 90 hp Merc on his, I'm guessing 2010 aluminum boat. I had to look and make sure the Mercury was running. That being said I've had two 90 hp Yamahas over the years and both were trouble free.

IMO buy the biggest motor that the boat is rated for. Not necessarily for the speed, but to get you out of trouble. I almost sank one of my boats on KY Lake years ago when it took a wave over the back and filled the boat. It took all of the power it had to keep from taking another one. With a smaller motor my boat would've been at the bottom of the lake and possibly my fishing partner and I too.

[feeshrman]

Yamaha

[Backwaters]

Set up right that Yamaha will perform right there with the Opti, beter economy, low maintaince and quiet.

Absolutely not. The Yamaha 70hp is a small motor compared to the Optimax 75hp. The Yamaha will not perform anything like the Opti.

[feelay]

Absolutely not. The Yamaha 70hp is a small motor compared to the Optimax 75hp. The Yamaha will not perform anything like the Opti.

One of those rabid Merc fans.

I've owned both Mercs and Yammies. Either will serve you well but I would lean to the Yammie.

[jigman_09]

I have a 176xt with a 70 Yamaha 2 stroke that I bought used. Stratos changed the top cap and renamed the boat VLO. I test drove the boat with a F70 when looking for a boat, quiet, smooth running. I found a clean used boat for half the price of a new one. If you go with the VLO upgrade the trolling motor to a variable speed 80lbs thrust unit. If I was buying new I would look into a 75 ETEC, heard and seen nothing but positive out the engine. The Yamaha will perform about the same as the Optimax due to it's extra weight.

[Backwaters]

One of those rabid Merc fans.

I've owned both Mercs and Yammies. Either will serve you well but I would lean to the Yammie.

Not even. I just live in the real world and have seen what both of these outboards will do. I prefer to keep Americans building these outboards anyway.