Midrange outboard advice

M

Mr.Simpson

New member
I am in the market for a new outboard on my 14ft Zim ranger, reliability is my main aim wrt selection as I will do a few trips to the Zambezi. Price will always be a consideration but more importantly is that I don't want to struggle on the water after a 1500 km trip to the river.

I have made up my mind to go with a 2 stroke but I would like to get a few opinions on whether to go for a 60 hp or a 90 hp.

Secondly, do I go with Mercury or Yamaha? I have always considered Yamaha as the more reliable outboard and Mercury giving more performance output but after talking to a Merc tech I am doubting the whole Yammie reliability card.

Any advice welcome

PS. This is not a brand bashing thread, rather to find the correct outboard for my application.
 
M

Mahi mahi

Sealiner
If I was you I would look at one of the enduro yammies, I'm not too sure what hp's they come in, I know 85hp is one of them, these engines are made for Africa and are absolutely bulletproof! Yamaha are still the leaders in 2 strokes!!!
 
J

JFE

Senior Member
I'll personally go 75 - 90 Yammie. Those are proven Africa work horses up to the 90 hp's. For Africa outside of S.A, no doubt 2 stroke, easy maintenance and minimum spares to carry, m.h.o.
Question is, why a 1500km trip up the Zambezi with a bass boat, don't think that is best option. That river can get pretty wild.
 
M

Mahi mahi

Sealiner
JFE wrote:
I'll personally go 75 - 90 Yammie. Those are proven Africa work horses up to the 90 hp's. For Africa outside of S.A, no doubt 2 stroke, easy maintenance and minimum spares to carry, m.h.o.
Question is, why a 1500km trip up the Zambezi with a bass boat, don't think that is best option. That river can get pretty wild.
Click to expand...

He said 1500km trip to the river not up the river! Nobody is that befork
 
C

Cam Mundy

Sealiner
Mr.Simpson wrote:
I am in the market for a new outboard on my 14ft Zim ranger, reliability is my main aim wrt selection as I will do a few trips to the Zambezi. Price will always be a consideration but more importantly is that I don't want to struggle on the water after a 1500 km trip to the river.

I have made up my mind to go with a 2 stroke but I would like to get a few opinions on whether to go for a 60 hp or a 90 hp.

Secondly, do I go with Mercury or Yamaha? I have always considered Yamaha as the more reliable outboard and Mercury giving more performance output but after talking to a Merc tech I am doubting the whole Yammie reliability card.

Any advice welcome

PS. This is not a brand bashing thread, rather to find the correct outboard for my application.
Click to expand...
Talk to a evenrude tech and he'll give you 100 reasons why Mercury and Yamaha are crap.

There is no longer a difference in reliability between 2 and 4 strokes the only difference in my eyes is that you can run Two strokes on crap fuel for longer provided they are running carbs four strokes have fuel injection systems that don't like water or dirt Fuel injected two strokes are the same.

Modern 4 strokes are incredibly reliable provided you care for them and put decent fuel into them and much more pleasant to spend time with on a boat. How often do you climb in your car and it lets you down? I would put a 4 stroke on over a two stroke any day.
 
W

Whisky

New member
I ran a Zimranger a wile back and found the hull sturdy and very stable, a good boat, however, it was underpowered with a 40hp and I would only take it to a very calm dam so I suggest a 90hp for your application. Also ran a bass boat with 125 Mercury, no problems with the brand but seeing that it was relatively new I did not encounter hassles and therein my advice to go for new or low hours on any brand you choose. Fuel is poor in Zim, no 93 or 95, just called 'blend'. What the 'Blend' is will nobody knows, so consider.

2c
 
M

Mr.Simpson

New member
Thanks guys...had the idea to buy new only.  Saw a video clip the other day where a hippo charged the boat and breached the water 2 metres behind them...you don't want any motor problems then
 
W

Whisky

New member
Pods that have small calves in are very unpredictable, the females usually form a circle around the calves to protect them and they are then stressed. When you put a bull into the mix that hangs off the side start looking for the keys!!!!'Hou gou my dop vas en check hierdie move'((s((peed)
 
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