Re: buying new motor
Hi,<br />Probably the closest You can come in performance and weight for a new 4-stroke today compared to Your present 70 hp 2-stroke is:<br /><br />- Mercury EFI 60 (Electronic Fuel Injection so no carburators), CARB 3-star rated. Weight 112 kg/246 lbs.<br /><br />- Yamaha F60 (carburators - CARB 3-star rated also for 2004 model despite carburators). Weight 111 kg/244 lbs.<br /><br />In the 70-75 hp 4-stroke range You will probably find these to heavy for Your boat:<br />- Mercury 75 4-stroke (carbs) 175 kg/385 lbs.<br />- Mercury Optimax 75 (Direct Fuel Injected, no carbs) 170 kg/374 lbs.<br />- Yamaha F75 (carbs) 168 kg/369 lbs.<br />- Honda BF75 (carbs) 169 kg/373 lbs.<br />- Suzuki DF(60-)70/Johnson (60-)70 4-stroke (EFI) 152 kg/335 lbs.<br /><br />Since any 50 hp 4-stroke (Yamaha F50, Mercury EFI 50, Honda BF 50, Suzuki DF50/Johnson 50 4-stroke) today is at about same weight as most 60 hp 4-stroke (Yamaha F60, Mercury EFI 60) I would, if economy permit, select any of the two 60 hp 4-stroke mentioned.<br />With Yamaha You get the extra benefit of 3 year extra warranty if You buy before March 31:<br />
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/products/otb/promo_yes20103.html <br /><br />I do not know if Mercury has some similar offer.<br /><br />If You have a good Mercury dealer/service center near You I suggest a Mercury EFI 60.<br />If You have instead a Yamaha dealer/service center near you I suggest a Yamaha F60.<br />If You have both, just select any of these 4-strokes You like better, find for a lower price, better warranty etc.<br /><br />If You really want a 70-75 hp 4-stroke, probably a Suzuki DF70 or Johnson 70 4-stroke (same outboards) is wise to select because of excellent performance, quiet etc and is the lightest 4-stroke in this class. But I think it still is little to heavy for Your boat, after all 14 feet long/ 4.27 meter is not a large boat, personally I would not hang a 150 kg/335 lbs outboard on such a small boat.<br />Suzuki also has a 6 year warranty offering until March 31:<br />
http://www.suzukimarine.com/showsanddeals/gimme/gimme_six.php <br /><br />Regarding performance, fuel efficency, noice etc both Yamaha F60 and Mercury EFI 60 has proven themselves in outboard tests to be very good. I would not hesitate to buy any of them.<br /><br />Since You have an Evinrude already I suppose the new Evinrude E-tech 60 hp 2-stroke can be an alternative also. But You said 4-stroke so I guess this is not an outboard You have considered then, and the new E-tech has not been used by many users yet so it is difficult to say how reliable it is. E-tech seems good on specifications alone but personally I would hesitate to buy one this early, later when it has proven to be as good as Evinrude say (hopefully) it will be easier to make a decision to buy or not.<br /><br />I use a Yamaha F115 4-stroke myself.<br /><br />Good luck!
