Four Stroke Outboard

Drifter_fisher

New member
Hi guys

I am rebuilding my first boat and need some advice on a motor selection.

It's a freshwater boat, 18 foot Sting hull, and I am looking for a 115hp Four Stroke. I have narrowed my selection down to 3. Either a Yamaha, a Suzuki or a Mercury. My question is this... from the guys who have run these motors, what's your opinion? I am asking on the angle of reliability, spares cost, spares availability and service cost.

I have got a quote on a new DF115hp Suzuki which came in at R147 400 and am now waiting for a quote on the other two to see what we are looking at in terms of price. I don't mind paying a bit extra for the reliability etc. but it has to be worth the cash.

Weight wise, the motors are all pretty much the same at about 170kg to 185kg.

I have been told to stay away from the Honda motors as they (Honda) don't have too much in terms of service back up in SA anymore.

Your knowledge and experience would help this newbie.

Thanks in advance!
 
Hi

You cant really go wrong with any of the 3, they are all brilliant engines. I have a set of mercury 115 havent had a days trouble with them.
Seems like they are cheaper than the zules and offer 5 year warranty.
https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-boats-jet-skis/centurion/new-mercury-115hp-4-stroke-efi-big-foot-outboard-motor/1002011437600911046575109

Personally I think the best would be to check which you have a good agent close buy. I would buy that brand then. Just my thoughts.
 

Drifter_fisher

New member
Thanks Stephan. I did see that ad too and am tempted considering it can be financed too. 126k is a lot of money to haul out cash and I just don't have that available to me.

In a perfect world I would get a decent second hand motor with low hours at half the price. I'm spoilt with agents for all 3 motors very close by so either way I have back up.
 
Its a really tuff choices, new I would go mercury as bigger displacement 2,1l vs 2l zuke and 1,8l yamaha. So it will have little more grunt of the line. With second hand all three can be good, if they have been taken care of.
 

Drifter_fisher

New member
Ok got the quote now from Yamaha...

R152k for the 115hp Four Stroke including 6YC digital gauge, control box and prop

R158k for the 130hp

Extra cost is installation and control cables.

Apparently the motor is exactly the same, same block. Only the onboard computer which is different.

Waiting for the Merc quote now...
 

Silverspider

New member
Went through a similar process in March. Ended up going with the Merc - largest displacement, 5 year vs 3 years warranty, equivalent general quality to the others.
 

Drifter_fisher

New member
Thanks Silverspider.

Well I am definitely going the same direction at this point.

I also want to check out the second hand two stroke options. Like I said earlier, budget is a problem at the moment as I have to fit the bill for complete refurb on the boat itself and trailer.

I found a V4 115HP two stroke Yamaha that's going for 50k on the East Rand. BUT... apparently the fuel consumption is something horrible!
 
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