My options are:
Mercury 25 power tilt/trim
Honda 25 power tilt/trim
Suzuki 25 power tilt/trim
Yamaha 25 power tilt/trim
This is on a 17 foot stick steer boat. I could upgrade to a 30 for around 700-1000 more depending on brand but I don't care much about speed in the lakes I'll be fishing in. What would you choose or which do you think will still be running in 8-10 years?
If you can I would get a Honda or Suzuki. I might add I have a stick steer boat with a 40 Mercury.....have used it a ton in the last 5 years with no issues what so ever....but I still wish I had a Honda or Suzuki. As to horse power.....my boat is only 14.5 feet long yet it has a 40 HP. When I had it built I was only going to get a 25....then a 30.....and so on. Forty HP is the max for my boat and I’m glad I maxed it out. I’m afraid you may regret not getting a bigger motor for a 17 foot boat. Right now you may not can see yourself ever selling the boat but that day may come and an under powered boat might take a while to sell. Of course this is just my opinion. I will in all likelihood re-power in 3 or 4 years and then I will have the Honda or Suzuki.
Regards
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A 25hp outboard is really small for a 17ft boat and I think you will regret your decision. You will need a minimum of a 40hp outboard. I'm in Texas so 90% of the outboards I see here are either Mercury or Yamaha. If given a choice my next boat will have a Yamaha on the back end.
Go to the coast and see what the average boater is using. I have been to Georgetown, SC, and Gulf Shores, AL, recently. Yamaha rules both coasts, hands down. I asked a dealer in Georgetown why that was the case. His answer included price, dependability, service, warranty, and the fact that there are dealers all over the country.
But what do I know, I have an Evinrude !!!
I have a 2012 Yamaha F70 and would not consider buying any other brand. Other than routine impeller and oil changes, I've had zero issues in 8 years with around 400+ hours of runtime. And the fuel economy is awesome!
1st. time I've ever disagreed with Alphahawk . Yamaha all the way. Scott
Think this all comes down to where you fish. Down where you are if fish all small waters li Bayous and small rivers then a 25 would be fine on a 17 if not loaded to gills with gear. My 17 is pretty heavy with a 50 Yamaha 4 stroke. And it is loaded and I’m over 200. Runs about 32 on a good day which is plenty for me. I’d sure want to take a test drive with that motor/boat combo before I bought. I see quite a few 16 tracker stick steer around my area with 25 2 stroke motors that seem to perform fine just not speed demons. Far as which motor I would be hard pressed not to buy another Yamaha.
I recently shopped boats and was surprised to find most of the major boat brands came with Mercury motors. I wanted Yamaha based on reputation and recommendations from a couple or boat mechanics. I'm quite happy with my Yamaha. That 25 Yamaha you mentioned is kind of legendary for reliability. Honda has a great reputation but seems to be more expensive. Suzuki has a good reputation but no dealers close to me.
I went with a Yamaha F50 on my 17' Alweld. Not a bit of trouble in almost 2 years, very good on gas.
I would be interested in being close to a reputable dealer and at least shop their brand. Having a good reliable place for service is important to me. I prefer Yamaha and am fortunate to have a Yamaha dealer nearby. But I would be comfortable with any brands listed. However I would try, if my funds allowed it, to get the motor the boat is rated for. I think it would perform better with all the gear we carry and as mentioned, would be a tough sell with an underpowered motor.
If you are going to have a problem, choosing an outboard for new boat is a good problem to have. Congrats
I have had good service out of Mercury, Evinrude and Yamaha. However if I were buying new it would be Yamaha.
Any of the motors will be fine. Price and service should be my concern. P.S- go with a 40 or 50hp.
I have always said I do not care what color it is if you get a good one you got a good one you get a lemon you got a lemon. All the major manufacture's make a good product as mentioned above a good reputable close service center would be top priority. Then hope you never have to use them.
I have a 16ft Xpress stick steer with a 50 Yamaha and love it... my dad has a tracker stick steer that had a 25 on it... he upgraded to a 35 that came off another boat and he still wishes he had more hp... you’ll never regret having more hp but most always wish they had more.
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Yamaha for sure and I have gone smaller before but learned my lesson.....i put on the max recommended HP now.
Correct me, if I'm wrong, that the Honda's are made by Tohatsu. So if your looking for a Honda, your going to pay more, than just buying one of these. A 20 hp costs $2500.00.
My 17 ft has a 40hp. Runs about 30 mph with a cupped prop and loaded. I am happy with it until I need to run 10 miles in threatening weather. Then I wish it was 140 hp [emoji846]
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Honda and Tohatsu are two completely different companies. Honda struck and agreement with them back in 2013 to provide Tohatsu with some Honda motors for them to sell with the Tohatsu name......but I do not know if that agreement is still in effect today.Quote:
Originally Posted by S10CHEVY
Regards
Tohatsu makes small outboards for Mercury now.
We had a customer Monday that owns a marina on Logan Martin and he said that Honda is discounting engines big time right now. I don't know the reasoning and he never said, but he did say they were discounting up to 40%. Something to consider if you have a dealer nearby.
Find a shop with a good reputation for service and go with what they offer or recommend. 4 strokes have gotten much lighter through the years so you may be able to step up in HP.
My opinion, get all the ponies it will hold. An underpowered boat won’t plane with extra weight in it, and I won’t even talk about when it’s time to go......NOW!!! The motor also isn’t working as hard and works better and will last longer. Good luck with the choice. Merc and Yamaha are my choices, look at what the guides run, that speaks.
I came back and added this. Think of this; for some reason you have to go now and you need to plane ASAP. The smaller motor takes significantly longer to break over and get on plane than a larger motor. Depth and obstructions can change things fast also.
Get the maximum size motor the boat is rated for. You can cruise at half throttle at a comfortable speed. If you need to beat a storm back to the dock you can use your full speed. I've had many boats. I under powered one and learned my lesson. Also getting the right pitched prop is important.
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I Never go below what boat is rated for on motor . Will be a killer on resale and you never know where you may decide to fish later on . I like Yamaha but anybody in business should be good if you have good service in your area . Tahatsu is another you may want to consider . I had one and liked it a lot . Traded up in size in a used boat and now have Yamaha .
This. If you look at people who make their livelihood on a boat they all run Yamaha.Quote:
Originally Posted by USMA65
Better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it
Honda jumps to mind instantly especially in that hp range.
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Its all about parts ad service. Yamaha gives you the most of both
Yamaha, hands down. Their reliability is renowned. Also couldn't agree more with the advice to go with a larger motor. A 25 on a stick steer boat is going to beat you to death. You need to be able to keep the bow out of the water on a stick steer or you're gonna hate it. I had one. It was a 14' with a 30 on it. Barely enough motor.
Just a thought on motors. Here in Pennsylvania on state lakes, we are only allowed 20 hp max. But on Corp lakes, it's unlimited. So you need to know what is allowed, on the bodies of water you fish. It isn't always one size fits all. There are also some Pa state lakes that are only electric only.
Attachment 390864Quote:
Originally Posted by Eagle 1
That’s a slick ride Eagle 1, it would fish very well for me.
Nope they make mercury!!!
Awesome right there Eagle One!!
Thats a War Eagle wish I still had one.
Wife has severe back issues and we got a heavy boat
As someone who works for a Mercury dealer, I am a little biased, so I will say Mercury.Attachment 393568
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Beautiful looking ride. Enjoy your times on the water.
Bob