Outboard Choice - Redux

[TyBoo]

We've had some time to think it over, and there have been a whole lot of new boats rigged this year, so let's see what difference 7 months make. The February, 2005 Poll on the same question can be viewed here.

Same quetsion and options:

• OK - you are getting new power for your C-Dory, for whatever reason. Which brand are you going to buy? Same drill as the last poll: 2 stroke, 4 stroke, single main or twins, it doesn't matter. Who is the manufacturer?

 

[SENSEI]

if I were going to repower or buy a new boat I would definatly look real seriously at a Evinrude ETEC
I currently run with the Evinrude 90 FICHT and love it.

 

[DodgeRam]

I am running twin 50hp Yamaha 2005 4 stroke EFI ,very nice moters. If I had to repower it again it would be with no hesitation twin 50hp E-TECH . Gary

 

[Da Nag]

I'll admit it...voted for Yamaha, even though I'm content with my Honda BF90. Honda seems to have lost their edge on the low end...charging capacity stinks, and they seem to be the lone holdout on EFI.

I can live without EFI - the simplicity of carbs might even be seen as an advantage to some, but the wimpy charging capacity of the alternator (16A) really bugs me. An afternoon of heavy downrigger usage will drain my primary battery by more than 25%...and that's after a 45+ minute ride back home at 5K RPM's. I'd snatch up an after-market alternator in a second if I could find one...

Went with Honda for one reason - it was the lone option at the time from the dealer/factory that had a known good service history, and a wide support network. Suzuki wasn't an option yet, and I wasn't willing to be a guinea pig for the newly released 2-stroke E-TEC.

Sure would be nice if the factory picked up Yamaha...

 

[Sea Wolf]

Bill-

Thanks for the confession!!!

Hope all the other Honda owners can also "see the light" sooner or later.

I bought the Yamaha without hesitation when they went with EFI in 2005. Would do it over again. Absolutely great motor.

When Honda adds EFI, ups the alternator to at least 25 amps, and modernizes and lightens those Civic engined 75 and 90 models, they'll come back to being a viable choice again.

The Suzi 90 would be another great alternative if the dealer network weren't so thin.

You can do your penance now. 100 "Hail Honda"s while facing the West (Far East) at Sunset.

 

[Captains Cat]

You're starting to make a convert here now.... :embarrased

Mine were on the boat when I got it 3 years ago and run fine. If I repower, I'll sure take a hard look at alternatives...

Mike, if I want to change my vote, how do I do it..??

Charlie

 

[TyBoo]

Mike, if I want to change my vote, how do I do it..??

Wait six months until the poll on this never ending question comes up again.

My EFI Honda has a 40 amp alternator. I turn the motor on, use it, and turn it off. I still have to vote for a history of dependability.

How long - and this is a genuine question because I have better things to do than look it up - have these new "industry leader" brands been making the four stroke outboards? I suspect that many manufacturers are making them now only because they have to, not because they can do it better. Honda never made anything else.

I don't have the knowledge or technical understanding to rate the design merits of these motors. All I know is that Honda has never let me down. That, and the local USCG Zodiacs all sport Hondas. The local USCG never lets anyone down, either. If the TyBoo 25 had a Yamaha of adequate power and dependability when I bought it, I would not look to change it nor complain about it unless it gave reason. But I would still vote Honda in this month's poll.

Oh yeah - and if anyone wants to argue the merits of a timing chain vs. timing belt, don't try to persuade an industrial mechanic that metal-on-metal in an oil bath is better than a self lubricating fiber belt running in cool air. (I won't really argue anyway. That is just a little preemptor for RF. Wait until you see the zinger I got in store for Flagold and his Mercurys.)

 

[Da Nag]

Bill-

Thanks for the confession!!!

Hope all the other Honda owners can also "see the light" sooner or later.

Well...the Honda light is only dim for CD22 single owners.

The real tough choice comes when you look at CD25 and Tomcat options - the playing field levels considerably. Both the Honda 135 and 150 have plenty of charging capacity, EFI, and the largest dealer network out there. They're much more competetitve than in the 75-90 field.

Another area Yamaha seems to be a very strong contender - CD22 twin setups like Gary's, and CD16's. The Yamaha F50 has EFI, and 17A of charging, compared to carbs and 10A on the BF40/50. Being built on the F60 block, it weighs about 25 lbs. more than a BF40/BF50, but I'm guessing that's not a huge deal...

 

[Rock-C]

Confession of a die hard Honda fan.
Well I did it ! I traded in me Honda and got myself one of those high powered Yamahas. It has 1600cc. & 99 ft. lbs of torque. I won't be hangin it off the back of my C-Dory though. This one came with two wheels and a set of handel bars. As for the boat, I'll stay with the trusted Honda BF90.

 

[Da Nag]

I traded in me Honda and got myself one of those high powered Yamahas. It has 1600cc. & 99 ft. lbs of torque.

Sheesh...hook up a hitch, and that thing will tow better than a Dodge...

 

[flagold]

Tyboo: I'm ready -- fire away . . .

PS: it does seem the vast majority would buy engines other than Honda . . . (and must be pretty happy). So the CG is using Hondas on a few dingys are they? Might want to scroll down to "Outboard Motor Communications" at: http://gov.evinrude.com/map.html OMC has been the major supplier for many years, and if the CG pulls up in a real boat, it won't have a Honda on it.

I do like Hondas though, they make excellent dependable quiet dredge motors.

 

[TyBoo]

PS: it does seem the vast majority would buy engines other than Honda . . .

No. no, no. The linked site simply says: "All Government Agencies can purchase Johnson and Evinrude outboard boat motors..." It does not say they do. All I am pointing out here is on the CG vessels designed for outboards (these are 25' dinghies), at least on the Columbia, the Mercurys are being replaced with Hondas. I don't profess to know why. Furthermore, you'll notice the link is gov.evinrude.com, not evinrude.gov. Big difference. It is an advertisement.

Here is an official version, where it states:

• The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has procured 100 Homeland Security Response Boats (RB-HS) and is in the process of procuring up to 700 Small Response Boats (RB-S), both are manufactured by SAFE Boats International (SBI) and comprise the “Defender Class”. These boats are powered by twin Honda 225 hp 4-stroke outboard engines and are assigned at approximately 200 Coast Guard units located on the East, West, and Gulf coasts as well as all five Great Lakes, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Currently, these boats are being delivered at a rate of 3 boats per week, therefore, these engines will become the most prevalent propulsion system in the Coast Guard.

They're also putting M-60 machine guns on the Honda powered response boats. Maybe that's in case somebody questions their motor choice?

...and if the CG pulls up in a real boat, it won't have a Honda on it.

Yep. You got me there. The real boats have Cummins diesels, but since Sneaks hasn't entered his horse in this race yet, we can leave that one go.

I liked your picture! We just tonight watched that movie, Space Cowboys.

Now you gotta quit takin' this so personal like. It's all in fun. I'll be hanging onto the zinger until you cool down a little.

 

[Salmon Slayer]

I just repowered from a 112 Johnson 2-stroke to a 90hp Suzuki 4 stroke and am very, very happy. I have had great luck with Suzuki on my last boat and this one is quiet, has seemingly more power than the Johnson, and I couldnt be more pleased. I am still breaking the engine in but its been a jewel so far.

To add fuel to the fire though, the local Coasties here in Alaska do use Hondas on their Rigid inflatables but curse the carbs due to the cold weather here. I would not look to the government as a benchmark in picking an outboard. Most purchasing decisions are monetary and not related to any real performance or reliability comparison ( I am active duty military myself and see this first hand).

 

[DaveS]

Actually, you should combine the Suzuki and the Johnson ratings together as the Johnson is a Suzuki with a beautiful white engine cover with a "red racing" stripe that matches the vessel "Sea Shift" (white with red trim). :wink

Of course, I didn't go for just one Johnson, I purchased two big Johnsons!
:smilep (and yes, I'm still lovin' 'em :smiled )

 

[TyBoo]

I got nothing against them Yammis, but you gotta wonder why it takes three to do what one Honda would do. Holy jumpin up and down Johnson, that's 750 hp on a boat no bigger than mine!

 

[Sneaks]

Yep. You got me there. The real boats have Cummins diesels, but since Sneaks hasn't entered his horse in this race yet, we can leave that one go.

Unlike Mike, we don't boat much where the sun don't shine, so our choices always lean toward the arguably risky high tech new stuff. Like Joe, we waited for the EFI Yamaha and I'm very glad we did. On the plus side, their dealer network here is great since all my toy choices are based as much on dealership reputation than anything else. (Tow vehicles excepted.)

Faced with a great dealer with equal power offerings from any of the big 4 outboard manufacturers, I'd probably pass on the Honda because of the carbs and the wuss alternator output, and either spend hours researching/comparing the remaining choices or simply go with the best deal. Probably do both. :roll:

Now if Ford had an F350 with the Cummins/Allison drive train and the Chevy ride, that choice would be easy.

Oh, and REAL boats are electrically powered but have GMC 16-cylinder, single-acting engines rated at 1600 brake horsepower (bhp), Mike. Four of 'em to be exact. A real early Hybrid. :wink:

The best Marine is a Submarine....

Don

 

[Sea Wolf]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm...... Looks like it takes a lot of those Hondas to get the job done!


http://www.honda-marine.com/pressreleases/15408.aspx


Think we could get 900 hp (4 x 225) on a C-Dory?

Joe.

 

[Captains Cat]

Put those on a CD and it'd look like this :shock: :shock:

 

[Sea Wolf]

Well, as Don said-

"The best Marine is a Submarine.... "

How long can we make the snorkel? How about some wheels for rolling across the bottom?

Nice way to make the Catalina or Juan de Fuca crossing on a rough day!

 

[Anonymous]

WOW! Finally others are seeing the beauty of Yamaha :thup I almost gave up on yas :shock: ! 8) I did cast another vote finally. Cracks me up, Mike brought the old thread back to life

Personally, I think a realized individual would not even consider a modern ultra-hi-tech 2-stroke, if you could spend many hours cruising, and compare the sound-frequencies of the two.
It don't matter to what it is; snowmachine, boat, aircraft- I just flat-out don't care for that super-busy firing-frequency of the 2-stroke. :thdown