do I buy Evinrude or Mercury

[shopperhelp]

I am torn between which engine to buy. The mercury wil be cheaper as it comes prepackaged with a smokercraft or Lowe. I Only spoke to dealers, and each one tries to sell me on what they have. So I need some users advice. I never owned a boat, and intend to buy one and keep it for a while, so not worried about resale value at this point. I am looking at a 60 hp to go on a 16 or 16.5 ft fishing boat, side console.

 

[JB]

Re: do I buy Evinrude or Mercury

Howdy, Shopperhelp.

Welcome to iboats.

This forum is about fishing and fishing tackle, not outboards. We have a forum for discussing outboards that aren't in trouble. It is called Non-Repair Outboard Engine Discussions.

I am moving this there.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: do I buy Evinrude or Mercury

i would buy evinrude etec, or yamaha 4 stroke. if i were buying new.

 

[steelespike]

Re: do I buy Evinrude or Mercury

While 60 hp is certainly enough for a 16.5 ft boat most recommend 2/3 to 3/4 the max rating.Keep in mind you seldom see anyone say "i wish I had less HP".
The Merc. and the Evinrude are both good motors with their own good points. I like The Evinrude Etec.It is a state of the art 2 stroke.With the best
emissions rating of any outboard.
You should cruise the web and check out all available motors,service intervals,warantees,weight,performance.Try to find info that is at least simply stating performance in various set ups similar to yours.Try to avoid an
ours is better than theirs type of thing.
BRP has a site that simply shows the Evinrude performance in various set ups see if you can find similar for other motors you are interested in.
Always take any sales person statements with a grain of salt.If they make a statement say show me or tell me why,where does it say that.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: do I buy Evinrude or Mercury

I like The Evinrude Etec.It is a state of the art 2 stroke.With the best
emissions rating of any outboard.

Actually I was just reading a recent issue of Boating Magazine and there were some third-party tests that showed the Optimax to be both more fuel-efficient and having lower emissions. The Etec and Optimax were really close though. They are both great outboards in my opinion.
​

 

[Mike722]

Re: do I buy Evinrude or Mercury

I have a pontoon boat and just purchased a 40hp E-Tec. I looked at the 4-stroke Honda and Mercury. I went with the E-Tec because it weight about 20-30 lbs less than the Mercury, if I remember right. The Honda was not EFI. I replaced a 40hp Mariner 4 cyl. Also the E-Tec was $800 less than the Merc.

I am very happy with the performance. The E-Tec is a little louder at WOT than a 50hp Mercury we test drove, but quieter than our old one with a higher top speed.

I would try to test drive one of each.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: do I buy Evinrude or Mercury

I don't know if I could live with the embarrassment of hanging a merc off the back.
Probably go with the E tec were I you. But, were I to have the choice I would stick with an older johnny rude. The new motors are almost "disposable." They are way to complicated and the electronics to not last as well as the all mechanical motors. Running 1957 Johnnys are fairly common. In another 50 years, this years etec will be at a scrap yard, and that 57 Johnny will still be on the lake.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: do I buy Evinrude or Mercury

I don't know if I could live with the embarrassment of hanging a merc off the back.
Probably go with the E tec were I you. But, were I to have the choice I would stick with an older johnny rude. The new motors are almost "disposable." They are way to complicated and the electronics to not last as well as the all mechanical motors. Running 1957 Johnnys are fairly common. In another 50 years, this years etec will be at a scrap yard, and that 57 Johnny will still be on the lake.

That is a really good point !!!!

 

[llfish]

Re: do I buy Evinrude or Mercury

A very important part of this equation is the dealer. You want one that will meet your needs when it comes to service and recall.

Good luck

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: do I buy Evinrude or Mercury

If the Merc is a 60hp 4stroke then get the Merc, if its a 2 stroke then get the Evinrude. The mercury/yamaha 50/60hp engines have been bulletproof for years. the 60hp Etec is pretty fresh but starting to build a good reputation.

 

[Rich976usaf]

Re: do I buy Evinrude or Mercury

im pretty new but i need to put in my 2 cents. i would go with a 2 stroke. there more reliable. less maintenance then a 4 stroke. and also im partial to a evinrude, thats all my family has ever owned,

 

[shopperhelp]

Re: do I buy Evinrude or Mercury

Thank You to all of you for your help regarding the motor selection Evinrude will the choice.
Now my next step is I want to buy this boat for fishing, the Mrs. wants it a bit more fancy so that she can be comfortable, while she's reading her books. How can I compromise? any ideas? She's looking for a good looking boat while I'm looking for a practical boat. A 16ft aluminum boat is what i'm looking for.The other thing to is do I look a welded or rivets boats.

 

[shopperhelp]

Re: do I buy Evinrude or Mercury

Thank You to all of you for your help regarding the motor selection Evinrude will the choice.
Now my next step is I want to buy this boat for fishing, the Mrs. wants it a bit more fancy so that she can be comfortable, while she's reading her books. How can I compromise? any ideas? She's looking for a good looking boat while I'm looking for a practical boat. A 16ft aluminum boat is what i'm looking for.The other thing to is do I look a welded or rivets boats.

The Mrs. here
we saw the Lowe FM 165 side console which is welded, and the Smoker Craft pro angler 161 which is riveted. Both would take the 60HP evinrude
Also saw the NICER models FS 165 full console and the 162 Pro mag but the fishreman sees the full console as a waste of space for when he is alone or with his friends fishing. I see the nicer look and upgrades and a 75hp that may be better for tubing or skiing (14 and 16 year old teenagers)
so any thoughts on: a: which of the 2 brands and b does teh full console affect fishing enjoyment

 

[ezmobee]

Re: do I buy Evinrude or Mercury

I have seen some dual console aluminum boat with available bow cushions which basically turns your fishing boat into a bow rider. I think something like that would be nice. Starcraft and Sylvan I believe both have models like that.

 

[bigtwin]

Re: do I buy Evinrude or Mercury

Crestliner makes the 16 ft Fishhawk welded alum. boat, however like it's sister company Lund you cant buy one with out a Mercury hanging off the transom. It is a shame how they tie the hands of the dealer and the consumer in to having to buy in inferior motor with an otherwise superior boat (my brother has had a 17 ft Fishhawk for 6 years with no problems with the boat, can't say that for the motor.)

 

[Bass-A-Holic]

Re: do I buy Evinrude or Mercury

I don't know if I could live with the embarrassment of hanging a merc off the back.
Probably go with the E tec were I you. But, were I to have the choice I would stick with an older johnny rude. The new motors are almost "disposable." They are way to complicated and the electronics to not last as well as the all mechanical motors. Running 1957 Johnnys are fairly common. In another 50 years, this years etec will be at a scrap yard, and that 57 Johnny will still be on the lake.

I agree 100%, hopefully ill never have to, but it is nice knowing that if something goes wrong with your motor, all you normally need is basic engine expirience. All the new motors have so much electronics, ecu, ect, that are really nice, but IF they break your screwed unless you're a mechanical genius. Then you are dishing out the $$$ while Im fishin.

 

[whofan]

Re: do I buy Evinrude or Mercury

If I were looking to buy a good boat at a good price I`d look at Starcraft. They are a independent boat builder. You can power it the way you want it.
For motors I`d pick a Evinrude, if going four stroke it would be a Yamaha.
Really any of the motors are a good choice. Good dealer service is what you shop for reguardless of brand. For boats Starcraft is well worth a look. By the way my boat is a lund so I`m not selling Starcraft, I think they are great boats for the price.
As stated above If you want an old school carbed motor you might find a new old stock Honda four stroke. Honda just recently went to fuel injection on their mid range motors. Hondas are nice and smooth. They are pricey too, though.