I would highly recommend a 4-stroke - Suzuki, Yamaha or Honda.
this aint exactly a crappie question. i started fishing again after 26 years of wondering in the wilderness. i need to get some opinions about the mercury optimax, and the eninrude etech. i would apperciate some input. thanks
I would highly recommend a 4-stroke - Suzuki, Yamaha or Honda.
I second any of the above!!Originally Posted by Jerry Blake
Catch and Release: Catch the slabs and Release the little'uns
My dad has had some serious trouble with the Yamaha 4-Stroke. It blew up just after the warranty (36 Months) went out. Good news though Yamaha Techs came down and put new block and head on and rebuilt the engine and took his back for research. Then about 6 months after they rebuilt it, the nut on the flywheel came loose and sheered the key. Again Yamaha fixed at their cost. I guess this helps their public relations. Other than that the Yamaha 4-stroke is a very good engine. He fishes 3 or 4 times a week and gets the good out of a boat.
i think all the four strokes are good machines. a little heavier, but dependable. Tohatsu-Nissan are good engines. I sure like the economy of operating the four strokes.
KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY
I like my Merc 4 stroke. But it is a Yamaha. Purrs like a kitten. I think the Johnson 4 stroke is a Suzzy. I had a hard time deciding which one to buy, so I bought the best deal at a boat show. All good stuff.
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I have a 225 opti and a 300 Yamaha V-Max. The Yamaha is a whole lot smoother than the opti but man does it like the gas. The Optimax is a good engine and from what I have read it tends to be the choice right now. It is reasonable on fuel and Mercury is really standing behind them on warranty. I have no experience with the Etec other than sticker shock. Anyway I strongly suggest looking at the Yamaha before buying.
I have a 90 mercury four stroke and it gets great gas mileage and has never let me down.
thanks to all of you. i wish i had found this site before i bought the etech.i have went crappie fishing nuts. i had to put my boat in the shop. it was grinding like an old truck going into gear. the dealer hasnt got a clue yet, but its under warrenty.if i dont get it soon, i will probably make me a raft or something. i love being on the water. thanks again bdfish