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Who Makes The Best Outboards?

Alright, it's an age old debate. It was once a debate that was more or less Mercury versus Johnson/

  • Total voters
    95
Chris

Chris

Administrator
Staff member
Alright, it's an age old debate. It was once a debate that was more or less Mercury versus Johnson/Evinrude. Now, there are many more choices, Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Nissan to name a few.

What brand is your favourite?

I vote for Mercury/Mariner
I vote for Johnson/Evinrude
I vote for Yamaha
I vote for Honda
Nah....someone else. Please specify...
 
I had to go with Merc. I've had some Johnsons, some Evinrudes and some Mercs. I have had pretty good luck with the Mercs. My old 1969 9.8 runs like a champ and there is something about a big black motor hanging off the back of a boat that is just plain cool. :cool:

So, my vote goes to Merc...
 
I had a 89 135 2.0L, only trouble I had was a switch box go bad. Sold the boat to a buddy, he is still running the motor.

As far as the best outboard. Well thats like asking who makes the best truck or car.

I respect anyone running a boat that is a cut above the normal, getting the most out of a combination is what its all about.

1975 Checkmate Tri-mate 2, 2.4 200+
 
I just love my 15 horse 4-stroke Honda on the back of my 14' Alumacraft T-14V. Has to be the greatest small-boat motor made.
Now, when it comes to big V6's, there's probably better motors made but you can't beat the Mercury Attitude!! :cool: ;) :D :p

1995 2100BR/1995 225 Promax/23" Tempest
 
I have owned a Jap motor and only had problems with little or no help.Sometimes I would have to wait up to a month for parts.I sold that motor and smiled as the buyer drove away.In May of 2002 I bought Mercury 225EFI.Merc dealer all over the place.Im hoping I will not need them.Checkmates look better with Black.
 
Welcome to the board 243. Got some pics of your bad boy? If you do...send 'em over and I'll make you an avatar. :cool:
 
Ever Hear a releaved Exhaust Big Johnson!! an awesome sound with awesome power! may not be as fast as those merc (high rpm jerks!!) but i had to drag my boat over a hundred miles to tow a merc once!! cause everyone else was scared to tow with there merc!! (actually it was a wreck the gearcase blew apart, XR6, and the boat had a huge hole in it, would have sank the actions and STV's that were out there, but not the 20 ft enchanter!!) :eek:

Checkmate Enchanter 225 looper!!
"How Big is Your Johnson??"
 
Gotta be Merc Chris, had a 1998 150Johnson on my Thundercraft, crappy idle, sputterd, rough even at high rpm, had the thing torn down, couldn't find anything wrong. Its history now, sold the boat and motor, bought the 1989 checkmate with 1989 XR2 150 merc, love it, smooth at both ends of the scale. :cool:
Noodle
 
Originally posted by Noodle:
Gotta be Merc Chris, had a 1998 150Johnson on my Thundercraft, crappy idle, sputterd, rough even at high rpm, had the thing torn down, couldn't find anything wrong. Its history now, sold the boat and motor, bought the 1989 checkmate with 1989 XR2 150 merc, love it, smooth at both ends of the scale. :cool:
Noodle
Click to expand...
I've only ever had luck with the small OMC motors.
 
If having a black motor is all that you want, check out my black Johnson. I have put this motor through hell for three years, and I could not ask for a better engine. I am in the process of getting a looper put together now. I love my Johnson's. I have always heard that the Johnson has the power, but Merc. has the top RPM's.
 
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Merc
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They are like the ultimate motor company out there. If someone would like to compare the 300X to some other companies motor I would love to see it. Also, they are dominating the racing community... :thumb:

Checkmates may not be the fastest boats on the water, but they are the nicest looking!
 
I would like a shiny, new, red, 21' Pulsare bowrider and one of these parked on the back.


Opti250xs.gif
 
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So would I but I would probably have a 300X on it. Thats looks oftly familar... Oh wait, its my AVATOR! :thumb: I guess I'm not the only one with good tastes...
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Checkmates may not be the fastest boats on the water, but they are the nicest looking!
 
I have to admit, I am a merc man but when I bought my starflite, it had a Yamaha v-6 special on it and it's been built to the max at my buddies performance shop. It pushes my 21 foot baby about 77mph and I am still looking for the right prop.I run a 26pitch chopper and a 23pitch rapture(for skiing ect) Although I love my Yamaha, I would love nothing more than to put a new merc 250 on the back.
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I was always a Merc fan, but look out, those Johnnyrudes will soon be sending the stock prices downword at Mercury. Now that Bombardier has Johnson/Evinrude and Brunswick has Mercury, need I say more. Brunswick has run EVERY marine company that they buy into the ground. The reason those companies keep selling is because of their predisessors name. Sad but true! When Brunswick learns that you can't hire people to run the companies that come out of the automobile businees, and who have never even been in a boat, then maybe they will get their act together.
 
Brunswick has been in charge of Merc since the 60's, and they've done pretty well. The Bombardier folks haven't done much with old Johnyrude with the exception of giving Suzuki a call. But I guess time will tell....
 
LUCKY FOR US THE GUYS TURNING WRENCHES AT MERCURY ARE STILL MOTOR HEADS. BOMBARIER WILL MAKE JOHNSON A BETTER COMPANY AND FIX THE FICHT PROBLEMS. YAMAHA MAKES GREAT MOTORS, HONDA IS GOING TO KICK SOME BUTT SOMEDAY WITH HIGH POWER BIG ENGINES. IT IS A FUN TIME!

I am the one who knows all!
 
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