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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Honda vs. Yamaha outboards?

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Stardog
Captain

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USA
319 Posts

Response Posted - 07/01/2008 : 09:04:55

Tohatsu is relatively unknown in the US, but slowly gaining reputation, that is why they are marketing through resellers. If such reputable names as Nissan and Mercury are rebranding them, you can bet they are high quality.

What it comes down to is that most any outboard engine made or resold by a major-branded manufacturer is going to be very good. The arguments you're going to hear about one engine being so much better than another, or so much worse than another are not going to be based on fact. People tend to be loyal to brands and marketing counts on this. But, if you were to line up all of the engines of each class with similar features and test them, you'd find they are comparable and all very good. So bottom line is pick one that has the features and characteristics you want.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 07/01/2008 : 13:31:10

A great series articles of about brands is at http://www.smalloutboards.com/review.htm. It clearly explains what most of us moderate voices say.

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Frank Law
Navigator

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USA
159 Posts

Response Posted - 07/01/2008 : 13:46:44

I bought a 2002 8hp honda in 2003 new left over. It is a pull start with choke , ever since new I have had a difficult time getting it to start..Most time it will start and run for about 1-2 seconds then die and then repeated pulls will get nothing, until I go thru the same initial proceedures of squeezing the bulb etc.. Two different dealers have worked on it ,the last one saying to turn throttle wide open twice then pulling..I'm thinking I just am not pulling it fast enough..New plugs , gas line and bulb have not helped...Also it dies frequently at low idle speed..When running it pushes the boat easily..It is a long shaft not xl, but when running the bottom of the motor bracket is in the water a lot of the time..

Frank Law
"about Time" #3519
sr,swk

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 07/01/2008 : 14:22:19

Frank,
I had problems with my Honda 8 idle and it helped to remove the idle jet and clean it with carb cleaner and a thin gauge wire. The orifice is really small. I used a wire I removed from a twist tie for trash bags as a reamer. I finally coughed up $5 and bought a new jet from the dealer. I have never had any problems with it since. Considering the frustration of dealing with it the $5 was one of the better investments I have made. I believe there was some unreachable debris inside the jet that I could not reach or scratches inside the jet's walls.

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 07/01/2008 : 14:25:43

Dave, your link pooped out. Try this [url="http://www.smalloutboards.com/review.htm"]one[/url].
Bottom line: For the most part, you can count on almost any brand or outboard motor to function well if taken care of.
And Re my analogy of Mercedes VS Toyota, as you pointed out it is a bad one. All I meant was paying a lot or more for something does not guarantee its better. And as you pointed out, Mercedes costs more but is poor in quality. It is not what it used to be. I will take a Toyota( and I have had 6 in my lifetime and currently have a Prius) any day over Mercedes.
Now do you guys understand why I didnt want a trailer!

Steve A

Edited by - piseas on 07/01/2008 14:35:02

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3448 Posts

Response Posted - 07/01/2008 : 22:26:20

Mercedes Vs Toyota

The Toyota is less expensive and may have better reliability but......does it have corinthian leather in place of plastic ? LOL

Higher cost does not equate to higher reliability ! This is common with other comparisons as well. While many have on their mind reliability, there are others that value other things that are responsible for the higher cost.....European workmanship and styling for one thing.

Bicycles....generally the more expensive ones are less reliable. In this case, one of the reasons for higher cost of bikes is not because of increasing reliability or service life but for providing higher performance and a lighter bike. This generally equates to lower reliability. The wheels/rims that generally have less spokes last a shorter length of time. Some bike components oncluding the frames have weight restrictions as they go to the exotic matls. A major benefit of carbon fiber bikes are the low weight compared to a chrome-moly bike. However, carbon fiber bikes can have weird deficiencies/breakdowns where the matl delaminates or can fracture. This just does not happen with a chrome-moly bike...they generally will only bendat points of impact/stress. Aluminum bikes will sometimes break at the welds. The steeel bikes generally do not break...ever. They weigh a ton, get passed from one generation to another...until they rust away.

So.....why pay $1000 more for one outboard vs another ? Hmmm....Let me check if the twist knob is made of corinthian leather ? LOL

Well...some have the highest alternator charging rates for outboards. Some do not have a need for a manual choke...it's all done electronically. Some have had prior experience and are buying a new one again. Some like the features of one over the other. Some have a convenient local dealer that services one vs the toher....and some have the local mechanic provide his opinion based on the outboards he regularly services in the shop. and....maybe I will do a check to see if any do have a corinthian leather twist grip.

Edited by - OLarryR on 07/01/2008 22:27:53

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2008 : 21:54:04

so do the new Yamahas have an external pull cord or not? is it corinthian leather?

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