Who Makes The Best Outboards?

[Z06]

Mercury is the the #1 and always will be unless something very very unexpected happens. Everyone, face it. 300X

 

[Shameless]

Chris, Bombardier has completely revamped that company, other than the colors, it is a completely different company now. Brunswick may have been in with merc for awhile, but they did not take complete reign with their own people until at least the mid 90's. Brunswick needs to stick with bowling balls and pool tables and leave boating to the experts. To me the only reason Merc is still holding their own is because of their work with Yamaha, which makes an excellent motor, they just need to back off on the import taxes some.
Feeling feisty this morning Chris, before you thought Bombardier was the way to go.

 

[Shameless]

Wake up Z, you put down a company that does an aweful lot up there in Canada. All of the breakdowns and buy backs that OMC went through in the Mid 90's, Mercury is now going through, just not as publicized.

 

[Z06]

you put down a company that does an aweful lot up there in Canada??? Who exactly? I am not here to stick up for Canadian Boat Motor companies. I like Merc, I always have, and I always will and they have never had problems with me.

 

[Shameless]

But Z, you have a force! ANd Bombardier does alot in Canada even though they are headquartered in Sweden, I think.

 

[Chris]

Originally posted by Bill:
Chris, Bombardier has completely revamped that company, other than the colors, it is a completely different company now. Brunswick may have been in with merc for awhile, but they did not take complete reign with their own people until at least the mid 90's. Brunswick needs to stick with bowling balls and pool tables and leave boating to the experts. To me the only reason Merc is still holding their own is because of their work with Yamaha, which makes an excellent motor, they just need to back off on the import taxes some.
Feeling feisty this morning Chris, before you thought Bombardier was the way to go.

I've never been an OMC man. I've had lots of them and lots of problems with them. I own three right now. I'll only own a small one, I gave up on the big ones a long, long, time ago.

 

[Shameless]

Sorry Chris, I am not an OMC man either, I am talking about Bombardier

 

[Chris]

Originally posted by Bill:
Sorry Chris, I am not an OMC man either, I am talking about Bombardier

They probably will turn OMC around. And I think Merc will be OK too. I'm actually with JW, I think Honda is the company to watch out for. Those boys know how to make motors. They just haven't mastered the outboard.....yet.

 

[Z06]

The force I just picked up for the kids to drive. IT cost me 2500 CAD for the whole package, boat motor, trailer, etc.. After lots of work, it worked 1st turn each time and could run 30 MPH for a flat aluminum boat. Pretty good..

 

[Shameless]

Let me restate my opinion incase I was not too clear, I think the new Bombardier motors soon will be the way to go, not OMC or OMC/Penske, or which ever era Johnnyrude prior to about 2002. I still say give Bombardier another year or two to really get things going. Zues is completely right, fortunately for Merc, the engineers and techs are people who love boating and Mercury, my point was that the people running the company need to listen to the engineers and techs more because they understand the boating business and not the car business. Brunswick also bought Sea ray in the late 80's and look what you have now, an over priced bayliner, same with boston Whaler, Baja, ect... Actually the above boat companies are primarily one big company now and all turning out junk. There moto is the dealer is the end of the assembly line and what knowing problems make it out of the factory, warranty will take care of. It doesn't matter if it breaks on the water or not. I learned that after going to 4 Sea ray schools and Factories in Tennessee and Florida.

 

[Shameless]

Honda is a great motor, but like all four strokes, they need to lighten them up a little bit.

 

[Z06]

My next choice would have to be Honda, or Yamaha... They are pretty good next to Merc.

 

[xsvspeed]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chris:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bill:
Sorry Chris, I am not an OMC man either, I am talking about Bombardier

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>They probably will turn OMC around. And I think Merc will be OK too. I'm actually with JW, I think Honda is the company to watch out for. Those boys know how to make motors. They just haven't mastered the outboard.....yet.

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Webmaster
Checkmate-Boats.com-The Fanatics Home!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I could not agree more! Although my preference is Merc, I think Honda will perfect the outboard market...just like everything else they do.

As for weight, all four strokes are pigs so far. I am sure that will improve.

I feel the need for speed!

 

[Z06]

What does everyone think is the worst? I'm not to sure but Force is up there except for my 50! LOL

Z06

Checkmates may not be the fastest boats on the water, but they are the nicest looking!

 

[xsvspeed]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chris:
I would like a shiny, new, red, 21' Pulsare bowrider and one of these parked on the back.


http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Miscellaneous/Opti250xs.gif

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Webmaster
Checkmate-Boats.com-The Fanatics Home!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Chris, you and I seem to be on the same page alot of the time. I do not know about anyone else but my Pulsare is rated for 250HP MAX. As cool, insane and all out nuts a 300X would be on the transom, I chalenge someone to find insurance for that package, let alone try to get the insurance company to pay out when some unfortunate accident occurs! Good luck!

All I can say is, if I was to buy new, the 250XS would most likely be my choice on the back of a Pulsare. However, it is brain numbing to look at all the engine options available in the marketplace...what a selection!

I feel the need for speed!

 

[Z06]

Didn't JW's friend with the red Pulsare have the 300X? How did he get away with it. What was it again, mid 80's? That 250 XS is a great motor, I'd love to have a brand new Pulsare with that too. Any other motor other then a Merc on that hull is just weird...

Z06

Checkmates may not be the fastest boats on the water, but they are the nicest looking!

 

[Shameless]

I don't know about Canada, but here in the states, if the boat is over 20 feet, any hp V-6 can be hung on the back of the boat which means the 300. The 250 is what is recommended, but the 300 is legal, check your local laws in Canada. When it comes down to it, is the extra 23 hp woth the astronomical price increase over the 225, I would say no, but is it worth it for the 75 hp for the 300, I would say yes.

 

[Z06]

I think the 300X would be for people who really want to push the hull for the top speed. I don't think that motor would be good for water sports and it likes the RPMs up higher then 3000 or whatever you guys use. The ProMax I use likes to scream, not pur but I like that sound...

Z06

Checkmates may not be the fastest boats on the water, but they are the nicest looking!

 

[JW]

Don't forget the 10% rule. The 225 Merc standard fishing EFI 3.0 is really around 240 propshaft horse at a certain rpm. The 225 Promax (my style) was approx. 240 hp at 6500 rpm. The new 225X Promax is about 245-250 horse. The 300X is 330 hp. The 250XS is approx 275 hp.
Manufacturing tolerances of course change on every motor, so ever motor is slightly different. But on all those motors, Mercury is hedging it's bet and tuning them to the high side of the 'law'.
The 250XS is probably the best all-around motor, with the high pressure DI fuel delivery. The 300X still has the old style XRi injection like my motor, so it'll burn much more gas than the 250XS. I'll bet the 300X will turn into a 300XS before very long...........

1995 2100BR/1995 225 Promax/23" Tempest

 

[Z06]

A 300XS? That would be pretty sweet. I think I saw some new Mercury motors over at S&F. Am I right JW? You might have seen them but I have for sure...

Z06

Checkmates may not be the fastest boats on the water, but they are the nicest looking!