Outboard Choice - Redux

[Anonymous]

From what I have gleaned, I understand the new E-Tech is far more sophisticated electronically than our four-stokes.
Myself (aside from not liking the high-strung 2-stoke firing frequency) my choice will remain 4-stroke over 2-stroke, for the simple reason of my faith in mechanical redundancy over electronic redundancy :idea

In the snowmachine industry, where engines are taken to the utmost limit in maximum-sustained-power delivery... there is NO COMPARISON... the 2-strokes (no matter how tough they build them) don't even hold a candle to the 4-stokes dependability. Get this: their getting 385 horsepower out of the Yamaha RX-1. Thats a 1-liter 20-valve 4 cylinder engine. Staying in tune with the "sled-head" action reveals racers literally falling in luv with 4-strokes because they don't need to be workin on them all the time as they would if they were still tweakin on the mighty old 2-stroke :!: :x

The latest greatest technology reveals the gap in weight for 2 vs 4-strokes is closing rapidly every season... more are going 4-stoke than ever before. My interest has been re-inspired in high-perf'-sledding, since Yamaha is now competing with the noisy, smelly, vibrating, unreliable 2-stoke.

Sorry ya had to read all that ranting (or did ya :shock: ) :lol: just tryna enlarge the subject a little :teeth

out... poof** :bat

 

[Da Nag]

With that said, the indication that Honda is getting less popular as a power/repower choice seems like a valid conclusion to me. As to any underlying reasons why this is, I have no clue.

Yup, not disputing the conclusion. In fact, our registration data goes along with the polling trends as well.

2005 C-Brat Registrations

Honda    44 (55%)
Suzuki   10 (13%)
Yamaha   11 (14%)
Johnson   1 (1%)
Evinrude  4 (5%)
Mercury   1 (1%)
Other     9 (11%)
-----------
Total    80
         
2004 C-Brat Registrations

Honda    52 (69%)
Suzuki    7 (9%)
Yamaha    4 (5%)
Johnson   4 (5%)
Evinrude  1 (1%)
Mercury   0 (0%)
Other     7 (9%)
-----------
Total    75

2003 C-Brat Registrations

Honda    49 (73%)
Suzuki    4 (6%)
Yamaha    6 (9%)
Johnson   0 (0%)
Evinrude  1 (1%)
Mercury   1 (1%)
Other     6 (9%)
-----------
Total    67

My only point is, the raw data, as collected, is pretty useless for purposes of determining which brand to go with in a particular situation. The fact that Honda is losing C-Dory market share is obvious, but for which boats? And in which markets?

To me, I find the results interesting...but they would carry very little weight in my personal decision making process.

 

[Sneaks]

So, EVERY new owner has the option of powering with a Honda. One would think that would make Honda the most popular, and it still is. Yet the trend is that Honda is getting much less popular overall. My conclusion is that there must be a reason, like cost/performance, or available technology, or weight/performance, or color selection, or SOMETHING driving the poll.

I voted for the E-tec. Conclude what you will from that.

No, just every new owner who buys from the factory. My dealer here in So Cal offered Yamaha only.

I too voted E-tec because the poll asked if I had the choice and were buying new right now. But I would certainly want to thoroughly check out Red Fox's 2 stroke buzz claim before plunking down $$$$

Don

 

[flagold]

Don't really have any fish to fry in this fight, but I am continually amazed by all the fuel this Mercury doesn't burn. I went down to Anclote Key today (mouth of Tampa Bay) a 22 mile one way trip and burned only 10.3 gallons upon return. On the way back (left before dawn on radar) I skimmed across the flats inshore of the flats fishermen in their ultra high-buck high-tech flats boats and their mouths were agape (either they couldn't believe the shallow draft or I spooked their world record tarpon -- oh well . . .). Coming from 220, 200, 175, 90, and 88 2-strokes, the economy great (no matter what brand). If the E-tech can match or better it with dependability, so much the better, but there is one other factor RF mentioned: quiet. It is also hard to get used to actually talking to someone instead of shouting and that has been a great thing with these 4-strokes. Of course I realize my Merc has a Yamaha powerhead, but the Merc lower has some advantages too:

Pic: sliding the keel upriver on sand with power (no Hondas etc., allowed . . .)

 

[TyBoo]

Me thinks we oughta wait until the poll has run a little longer to be comparing results. It looks to me like the only brand pulling Honda's share is Evinrude, which of course is the new ETech.

But that's not what we're here for...

In deference to the Sneaky one, I must admit that Chevys are good for something, namely, smashing brush:



But, as is so often necessary, the big Dodge is standing by to tow the Chevy out when it gets stuck:

 

[Sneaks]

In deference to the Sneaky one, I must admit that Chevys are good for something, namely, smashing brush:

Which reminds me, Mike, do you still use that "Dodge Ram" floater keyring I sent you?

I sure hope you washed it first....

:moon

 

[Zydecomo]

Just a report from a new Tom Cat owner. I've been running twin Merc 115 4stroke EFIs since April. They seem very reliable today I did a short run today and ran 4000RPM @25MPH and 5000RPM @35MPH. I dont pretend to know much about outboards although I like the way the Honda looks on a boat. But We traveled on the TrentSevern aprox 180 mile this summer and up and down various Lake Champlain sites. A quick look at my log book seems like we logged near 600 miles this summer with zero problems! . Although I dont have a fuel flow gauge it appear I am getting at least 5MPG maybe more. With average runs at 22-25 MPH. I would not have choses Merc as a new motor on a boat but I have been very impressed.
Floating Phil

 

[TyBoo]

I sure hope you washed it first....

Didn't need to. After the bomb squad x-rayed the package and determined it was not explosive, they cranked up the power and nuked it good to eliminate any possibility of biohazards.

 

[Jeff and Diane]

I vote for two good looking "MEN" a lot of upper body strength and equipped with Oars!! This will allow us to continue boating as the price of gas escalates :wink

Diane :rose