Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

[tyeefisher]

Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

Between these two in a 70 to 80 hp, and descent dealer support for both, which one would you buy? The Suzuki is running an add for a six year warranty? But...if that Yamaha is a better motor I would rather make that purchase? Any advice...motor would be mounted on a 15ft Arima.

 

[JB]

Re: Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

Re: Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

A no-brainer, tyeefisher.<br /><br />The Yamaha F80 is a fine engine, but it is carbureted.<br /><br />The Suzuki DF70 is computer controlled EFI. I have one and it is wonderful.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[manitoba1]

Re: Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

Re: Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

I have the 70hp Suzuki as well (on an alumacraft classic 16) and agree completely with JB. In fact, at the lake where I have a seasonal camping spot a friend has the 80 yamaha on a lund Sendero which I have driven many times. My engine starts faster, is quiter and has better throttle response. Several others at the lake have driven both boats and each one has said without a question they prefer to operate my Suzuki over the Yamaha. The yamaha is however an excellent engine and the engine you buy may be determined by the dealer support.

 

[Forktail]

Re: Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

Re: Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

You may want to consider jumping up to more HP. I believe the 15' Arima was re-tagged from 80 hp to 100 HP. You can check with the company. Great boat.<br /><br />I'm a Yamaha guy through and through, but the 6-year warranty and EFI on the Suzuki is hard to pass up...as long as you have dealer support.

 

[tyeefisher]

Re: Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

Re: Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

Forktail...here is where im confused? My boat is rated for up to 80hp. I've been running a 70hp Mercury. Most all dealers say I could go with a 50hp 4 stroke or a 75hp 2 stroke. Im used to the horsepower, and think I would have a hard time dropping 25hp. My gut tells me the 75hp Yamaha 2 stroke is the way to go, but....that option of the four stroke is haunting me!!!

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

Re: Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

This discussion has been up several times; a search will return plenty of posts. Opinions vary and both have their enthusiasts who, appearantly, will never agree.<br /><br />Once you've decided on either 2- or 4-stroke, it is a fact that any number of hp is the same wether it comes from 2 or 4 strokes. The two delivers different torque and the relation between rpm and performance is different. You must even consider weight, as most 4-strokes are heavier than their 2-stroke hp-equivalent.<br /><br />Get yourself a 4-stroke test drive and see if you like it. Your expected use should also be considered as the 4-strokes are much more fun to be with when idling (trolling) or going low-mid rpm. Future environmental laws definately will demand less emissions etc. and this is a hard point for 2-strokes. They are working on it, but it is a major issue.<br /><br />Ofcourse price and mpg has something to do with it as well.<br /><br />PS! I'm happy with my 2-stroke, but in case of replacement in recent time, I'd take a 4-stroke if at all possible, considering all.

 

[Forktail]

Re: Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

Re: Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

I agree that you'd be unhappy dropping to a 50 hp. Those Arima's like hp, as they are a wide, deep boat for their size. I had a 50 hp on a Arima Sea Chaser, and it was hardly enough to get it on step. <br /><br />Unless weight (130 lb difference) and initial cost is a primary concern for you, I see no reason to go with the 2-stroke. Given the EFI of the Suzuki along with the 6-year warranty you mentioned, it seems like a shoe-in. Although the 70 hp 2-stroke Yamaha is a great outboard. And yes, hp is hp, whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke.<br /><br />BTW, that revised 100 hp rating I mentioned was for the Sea Chaser 16', not your 15'er. Sorry.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

Re: Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

please do this before you hang a heavy 4 stroke on that boat. put the additional weight the 4 stroke will add by stacking bricks or something by the transom. then see how the boats performs off plane. can make quite a difference. nothing wrong with a 4 stroke but that additional weight in the back can get real uncomfortable. been there 16 pro-line with 80 yamaha is being sold. have a new merc 2 stroke on another boat and i am happy with it. from now on i will stay with a 2 stroke on a smaller boat.

 

[josip_voyager]

Re: Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

Re: Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

Between Yamaha and Suzuki I would buy Honda which is #1 in four strokes outboard industry. <br />Does anybody knows while two biggest manufacturer of four stroke outboards (Honda and Yamaha) have in range 2 – 100 PS only classic (carbureted) engines? While maintenance costs are far lower than with modern four strokes with electronic injection and four valve pro cylinder (Suzuki).<br />It is true that modern four strokes have a little bit better fuel economy, they are smoothest and with lower level of vibration, but still I would in this power range always buy classic four strokes.

 

[Forktail]

Re: Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

Re: Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

Pine Island, adding a little more weight to the stern of the Arima isn't going to affect it much. I've owned one. It's a much different boat than a Pro-line. However, additional HP will surely be a benefit.<br /><br />Josip Voyager, how do you figure Honda is #1 in the industry? Did I read you right...carbed outboards have lower maintenance costs than an EFI 4-stroke? Better re-read that past J.D. Power article on outboards. Over a thousand outboard owners surveyed. Yamaha ranked #1, and 4-strokes ranked over 2-strokes for reliability.

 

[josip_voyager]

Re: Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

Re: Best 4 stroke - ( between Yamaha & Suzuki )

I mean that Honda manufacture four strokes from 1969 (longest tradition, for example Suzuki started with four strokes 1998 I think), and they have never manufactured two stroke outboards. Also I think that carbureted four stokes outboards are more reliable than four strokes with electronic fuel injection, because less electronic on the water is always better.