Any new 20 HP 4 strokes to avoid

[saleenguy]

Hello everyone, I am new to the board.

I am planning to buy a new 20 HP 4 stoke outboard soon to put on a 14 or so foot aluminum boat.

I have narrowed the boat purchase down, easier than the motor.

I cannot seem to find much info on what brands are best, or brands to avoid.

Leaning towards any one of these three....Yamaha, Honda, or Mercury, as all three local dealers seem fine to deal with.

Anything to know ahead of time, or any to avoid like a plague?

Thanks

 

[clarkbre]

Re: Any new 20 HP 4 strokes to avoid

I'm in the same boat as you are (no pun intended). I'm in the market for a new 25hp 4stroke for my 16' aluminum and have been doing some research. From my findings, it looks as though most of the small 4 strokes are a derivative from Japanese made motors. I dont' think that's bad but just something to be aware of. So here it goes. I found this site:

http://www.rbbi.com/links/outboard.htm

About 2/3's down on the page, it breaks down who makes what engines. In short:

- Evinrude makes it's own E-Tec.
- Johnsons < 30hp are made by Suzuki.
- Mercury and Nissan < 30hp are both made by Tohatsu.
- Honda makes Honda.
- Yamaha makes Yamaha.

In talking with my local dealers in the Seattle area here's what I've come up with:

The Suz/John's are good, solid engines and come with a very fair price; but, they are not smooth on idle and lack hole shot torque due to the V-twin configuration.

The Toh/Nis/Merc's are good, solid engines within $100 of the Suz/Johns. They are in an inline 3 configuration so they have much smoother idle (way better for slow trolling) and have more torque for a better hole shot.

The Yam's are great, solid engines that are very smooth and full of torque. They are the lightest weight 4 stroke but have a price a few hundred $ more than the Suz/John and Toh/Nis/Merc engines.

I haven't researched Hondas much because, honestly, the price is very high to me. In the Seattle area they're nearly a $1000 more than the Suz/John's. I've also noticed on the water and at marinas, there are not many boats equipped with them. I'm sure they are an excellent quality product but not my cup of tea.

When I finally do buy, I'm planning on going with the Mercury. I like the idea of smooth idle for trolling and good torque for getting up on plain. Hope all this info helps.

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: Any new 20 HP 4 strokes to avoid

These are tough times, and if there were any motors to avoid, they would
not be making them any more.

If you are not on a budget, go for the E-Tec. Undeniable performance!

If you are on a budget, look at the Nissans. If you can change oil, and add
fuel stabilizer, your motor will not need to see a dealer. Mine never has in
over 8 years. Even available online and "on sale", but I won't say where.

Good luck!

 

[lostatsea]

Re: Any new 20 HP 4 strokes to avoid

I am looking for the same thing as you are,a 20 h.p four stroke for my 14 foot aluminum boat. I have owned both mercury and johnson engines and dont plan on another (but they were 2 strokes). Im leaning to a Honda or Yami but heres something that gives the Honda the big edge...a 5 year full waranty that is even transferable versus the 2 year waranty that Yamis offer. Weight wise I believe that the Honda 20hp is even lighter than the Yami by a few pounds. Another thing i have found , and you can check this out right now is ;look at the number of veiwers on the forum site and you will always see the fewest viewing the Honda forum. Why? Cause they dont need solutions and answers to problems they dont have.

 

[clarkbre]

Re: Any new 20 HP 4 strokes to avoid

look at the number of veiwers on the forum site and you will always see the fewest viewing the Honda forum. Why? Cause they dont need solutions and answers to problems they dont have.

Or they build more lawn mowers and commuter cars and sell less marine products than Johnson or Mercury does. You could also just as easily say that the people that have the $ to spend on Honda motors just take them to the shop because they're to lazy to research and repair the problems in their engines.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Any new 20 HP 4 strokes to avoid

If you are looking at the Nissans and are on a budget go for the Tohatsu. Same motor. I really don't think there is a bad 20hp made though. I beleive that all merc and nissans 20hp and under are made my tohatsu.