Buying a boat, need so help!

The only motors I have ever owned is Mercury. Does anyone have any feedback about a 1997 Yamaha VMAX 150? Good, great, horrible??? Just wondering like I said I have no clue about these motors.
Thanks in advance
~Moon

For what it's worth I currently own two Yami saltwater series motors in both two and four stroke flavors. I never worry about them. They always start, and I run them hard. There are plenty of days we don't shut those motors off until we come back to the dock.

I also had 2 small 25 HP motors that were awesome as well.

I do not own a 150 VMax but I have owned a Yamaha 75HP 4-stroke for 5-years now and have never had one issue. Starts up immediately every time and runs great. Good luck on your purchase.

I may be wrong, but the merc dealer I use for service says that Yamaha and Mercury are made with 90% identical parts. I think the power head/motor is the same and the lower units are the same. He explains it as the same as buick and pontiac. Props, filters, plugs and other components are interchangeable on many models.

I have a 96 Yamaha 85HP great Motor after it warms up, Cold Blooded !

The only thing I have heard bad about Yamaha is prop issues. I have a couple of friends that had a Yamaha motor and they said the props were very weak. Other than that I have not heard anything bad as far as the mechanics. I have had Evinrude and now Mariner (which was made by Mercury) and no problems from either except that the Mariner is cold-blooded like Gulpfan's Yamaha is. Good luck on your choice.

Do yourself and your wallet a favor....if you are buying a used engine, take it to a certified mechanic for that engine and have it checked out....doesn't matter what brand you are buying...it is worth the investment to know what condition the engine is in before you pay for it and find out the bad news later.

I have a 2000 Yamaho VMax 150 and have never had a problem with it.

Ditto to Dave, EVERY make and/or model has lemons and diamonds. It depends on the care the previous owner has taken with the motor and what mechanic has done any repairs. Like Mr. Stewart says have a trusted certified mechanic for that make check out the compression, voltage and have them kick the tires a bit. There a lot of expensive parts to a boat that makes the price worth while. The electronics/fish finder. Which type of trolling motor does it come with it. Is the carpet and/or interior in good shape. Does it come with all the must have coast guard water patrol stuff. Does it have an anchor, oar, does the horn work, do the gauges all work. Things that also add up when you buy a boat that some people never think of. My 2 cents.

I have owned 2 Yamaha 150's and they are very good motors. I had a 1997 and did not have any issue. I bought a brand new boat in 03 and it has a vmax 150 also and it has been great as well. Will buy another down the road.