What is the best outboard engine.....??

[Stan's Customs]

I really perfer I/O boats since I was a waterskier in my youth. However lately I have turned my boating interest to fishing as I am near retitrement age.

I have been a mechanic for the earlier portion of my working days and turned to Custom and Utility Vehicle sales in the end.

I have several boats I've taken on trade and live in an area that older used boats are plentiful. Since I do have a nice repair facility for other types of equipment I will likely use an older boat motor and build my own winter fishing boat that I can leave in out in the weather quite a bit. The two most readily available engines I have is a '92 Yamaha 85 and a 85 hp Suzuki ..not sure what year.

The Yamaha has seen a little salt ..runs Ok, I suspect it needs reeds. The Suzuki was running good when removed from the boat several years ago. Which motor would be best generally speaking...?

I'm going to use a 16' or 17' all aluminum boat with windshields....similar to Crestliner of Starcraft so I'll have a wind break in the winter. Winter Crappie fishing can be good at some Texas lakes, but I have found that Bass or Crappie boats have little weather protection.

I also have access to various Johnrudes of he 80's vintage ...mostly V4's...Are they preferable? I have had bad luck with any Merc I have ever owned...but even they can be had around here.

Any opinions on these motors....?

Thanks ...Stan M.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: What is the best outboard engine.....??

The suzuki is a nice motor, but more likely to give you a problem compared to the yamaha, The 85 yamaha is a great motor and is more reliable, I own and love suzuki, but my no.1 choice will always be yamaha, they work for me .....

 

[Stan's Customs]

Re: What is the best outboard engine.....??

Thanks deejaycee..

I have friends who perfer the Johnrudes over the Suzuki but perfer the Yamaha over the Johnrudes. ,,,,and some who think Johnrudes are best of all. I can trade for any of the Johnrudes easily if they woul be preferable over the Suzuki or Yamaha.....so I thought I'd get some outside opinions. I'm known to keep anything I build for ever....literally.

Another thing I was concerned about was parts availability on these older motors.

Thanks again...Stan

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: What is the best outboard engine.....??

Of your choices I would go for the 85hp Yamaha, the 75/85/90 are all build on the same block and are described in two words "Extremely Reliable". Since your looking at an older boat also alot of 16' aluminums were only rated in the 75hp range so make sure you look at the plate before you buy. Jonrude V4's are great motors also but weigh about 50-60# more than the yamaha and suck gas like there is no tomarrow.

 

[Stan's Customs]

Re: What is the best outboard engine.....??

Thanks Rancherlee..

Looks like the Yamaha is the choice...kinda figured that myself. I have been tryng to find some reeds for it online, since the Yamaha dealer here is slow and pricey. Couldn't find any reeds online, so I thought I'd see about opinions regarding the Suzuki motor It probably doesn't need anything but a waterpump impellor and a new set of plugs...and both motors are tilt/trim.

No big hing...I'll just go thru the dealer if I have too.

I had heard that Yamahas were real good ...but have never used one personally.

Thanks for your input best regards.....Stan M.