Thread: Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha any good / 4 stroke okay?

I wouldn't buy anything BUT a 4 stroke and if I was going to buy a new one it would be a Honda. Everything I've ever owned made my Honda has been nothing but reliable.

Smaller 4 strokes are heavy hp to hp wise against 2 strokes. Where weight is not an issue get a four stroke but if an extra 50-70 lbs of weight makes a difference to you then a 2 stroke beats a 4 stroke in power to weight ratio.

Everyone has there favorite but the fact is there all good nowadays. I would go with a 4 stroke just because they are quite and you don't have to mix oil , just put gas in it and go fishing. I have a 2 stroke now but my next boat will have a 4 stroke just for them two reasons. There really not that much difference in power anymore.

When I was buying my boat I wanted specifically a Lowe stinger 195 with a 115hp Yamaha 4-stroke. Well Lowe comes stock with mercury and was going to cost me alot of extra money to switch to any other motor. I swore I would never own another mercury. I spoke with a yamaha mechanic and asked him if it were worth me spending the extra money on a different motor. He told me If I were going with 2-stroke then definitely pay for the change. He said if I were going with a 4-stroke that he hasn't noticed any one motor having more problems than the other. So buy which ever is cheaper. So I went with the Mercury and have not a lick of problem out of it. Fuel filters and maintenance parts are cheaper with mercury compared to yamaha as well. But I do love yamaha! And I also love my Mercury!

I have had a Suzuki 4-stroke for 10 years and I will tell you its like night and day between them and a 2 stroke....so quiet you cant hear it idling...and great gas mileage and VERY dependable. As Mrdux said, I researched them also and found Suzuki on top...but they all are great motors.

No ethanol in my small engines. My2004 15hp carbed Suzzy had issues with the phase separation. E15 is now the push.

older report

Boating industry not backing down in Chicago E15 fight | Midwest Energy News

Originally Posted by Cane Pole

No ethanol in my small engines. My2004 15hp carbed Suzzy had issues with the phase separation. E15 is now the push.

older report

Boating industry not backing down in Chicago E15 fight | Midwest Energy News

Never thought of the effects of ethanol on outboard engines before. Where do you find ethanol free gas anymore, country stores? And do manufacturers take in to consideration that most all the fuel now contains ethanol? I have a 2008 Yamaha 4 stroke and haven't had a days trouble out of it.

Originally Posted by Snubbys

Never thought of the effects of ethanol on outboard engines before. Where do you find ethanol free gas anymore, country stores? And do manufacturers take in to consideration that most all the fuel now contains ethanol? I have a 2008 Yamaha 4 stroke and haven't had a days trouble out of it.

My 2016 140HP Suzuki owners manual says it is safe to run up to 10% ethanol fuel in it. I will continue to run the Stabil Ethanol Treatment in it just like I did my 75 Yamaha 2 stroke. There are several places in my area that carry ethanol-free gasoline but you will pay $0.30 to $1 more per gallon for it. I think the boat manufacturers realize ethanol is being pushed so hard by the farm lobby, they had to put fuel tanks and lines on new boats that were compatible.