Yamaha or Honda?

[496 Cubic Inches]

I'm ready to purchase a new 21' Northriver Seahawk with either a 150hp Yamaha or Honda outboard. As far as I'm concerned its a tossup,I've had only Yamahas,but I know Honda makes an excellent motor as well.<br /><br />The thing I'm hung up on is price. The Honda is about $1200 more than the Yamaha but Honda is offering better financing right now (5.99%) We are going to use a 15 year loan and if we end up taking 15 years to pay it off (highly unlikely) we'll save more than $4000 in interest. <br /><br />Yamaha<br />6 years of warranty<br />weighs about 12lbs less than Honda<br />more displacement than Honda (163cid vs 144cid)<br />$1200 less<br /><br />Honda <br />better financing<br />weighs a smidge more<br />5 years of warranty<br />Honda claims to be more fuel efficient and quieter.<br /><br />What would you do?

 

[Chief101]

Re: Yamaha or Honda?

In this situration I would go with the Honda, and only because of the resale value. Both engines are excellent choices, Honda just enjoys a great reputation at the moment.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Yamaha or Honda?

in my area a honda has no resale value. there is no service and they had a reputation for corrosion in saltwater. that may be corrected now.<br /> both are very good engines.<br /> I would reccomend either .<br /> but I would want one that had a decent tech handy. close is not worth a plugged nickle if the techs are not good and the service poor.<br /> and yes I have worked for both.<br /> but I have been away from honda since about 99 but I understand they have made headway in the corrosion area, just as suzuki has.

 

[496 Cubic Inches]

Re: Yamaha or Honda?

I'm lucky as one of the best dealers/service providers in my area carries both Yamaha and Honda. <br /><br />This motor will be used primarily in saltwater,so the corrosion issue with the Honda may be worth more investigating.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Yamaha or Honda?

As 496 can probably tell you (beins he's advertising a big engine), cubes relate to torque and if you are going to do offshoring and all where you need to pull big swells at something less than WOT you might want to go with the Yammie. Course that's only a 13% difference. But several years ago, Merc upped their cubes on their bass boat (primary use) engines to improve that hole shot.....torque!<br /><br />My 2c.<br /><br />Mark

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Yamaha or Honda?

Got to second RODBOLTS comment on honda corossion. Quite noticable here in salt water. fred

 

[BillP]

Re: Yamaha or Honda?

Ditto on Honda's corrosion in saltwater.

 

[BF130]

Re: Yamaha or Honda?

My 2002 BF130 has over 500 hours in the salt and is corrosion free.

 

[BillP]

Re: Yamaha or Honda?

Originally posted by BF130:<br /> My 2002 BF130 has over 500 hours in the salt and is corrosion free.

Does it sit on a boat lift over saltwater or on a trailer tucked away from the shore? This is where you see what holds up and what doesn't. <br /><br />

 

[BF130]

Re: Yamaha or Honda?

Three seasons in a slip and last year on the trailer. Zero corrosion - changed zincs in 2004.

 

[BF130]

Re: Yamaha or Honda?

I'll also add here that I have three mechanics to choose from that are certified to work on the bigger Honda models. There are many more Yammi mechanics by far in my area. But that is something that you'll need to weigh in your decision on what motor to buy.