differance between a Merc. and a Mariner??

[stormmnv]

what is the differance between a Merc. and a Mariner??

Is a 1999 Merc. 90hp. 2 stroke and a 1999 Mariner 90 hp. 2 stroke the same engine with different colors and badging. or is the Mariner a cheeper (less quality in parts used) copy of the Merc.

I know a Force is a cheep engine and been told to steer clear of them, but not sure about the Mariner engines...

Did notice that Mariner parts are the same as Merc.

thanks, as I am looking for a good used 75 to 90hp. engine but do not want a Mariner if it is not a quality engine

stormmn

 

[matt167]

Re: differance between a Merc. and a Mariner??

It depends on which Mariner. You can determin what's what with the serial number. Not all Mariners were made by Mercury. Some were made by Yamaha. I think with the 90hp, it is like a Johnson/ Evinrude kind of thing. Different paint, same thing

 

[aussieflash]

Re: differance between a Merc. and a Mariner??

Mariner Outboards were developed by Mercury for the export market only in the early 70s,though by 1976 they started selling in the US.Mariner is MERCURY.Remember most small motors are made by Tohatsu,30hp and down and are rebadged.

 

[wired247]

Re: differance between a Merc. and a Mariner??

Lots of Mariner motors built and sold in the US. Late 90's Mercury dropped the marketing strategy and badged them all Mercury. My understanding is that Mercury had exclusive dealer contracts with many dealerships for a certain area. If a new dealer wanted in and wanted to sell Mercury motors they had to use the Mariner brand. Thats just the bigger motors. The little ones were rebadged Tohatsu or Yamahas.