Most reliable outboard?

[birdstrike]

We've all been there, boat won't start, friends boat won't start, or the poor guy at the ramps boat won't start. So who, in you opinion, makes the most dependable, worry free, starts every time and gets you home motor? I'm not worried about performance, looks or fuel efficiency, just a motor that starts up and runs everytime I ask it to. What do you all think. New or used, 150 to 250 hp range.

Thanks for your input!

[tracker4stroke]

well my motor is not in that range. i have a 40 4 stroke and i have never been stuck on the ramp. now on cold days you have to let them warm up or as you idel up it will stall. so i will let it run while i park the truck and by the time i get back it is ready to run.

[Danny]

Most reliable motor?? One taken care of, in my opinion.

What I mean is that I had an Evenrude Intruder, never had a problem, but always had it serviced.

I now have a Mercury Opti-max and it starts everytime too.

I always store my boats with Stabil in the gas, and take precautions to keep the motor in good shape, including having it serviced.

That's my opinion, not worth a lot, but hopefully it will help you.

Thank of this though, if one of the companies truly made bad motors, they would not be in business very long at all.

Good luck,

Danny

[buzzking]

This is like an oxymoron It's not if motors blow but when...That being said, I'm a yamaha man myself.

[Danny]

I learned a little something from my wife's uncle. He is a mechanic, and has run his motor for over 20 years with out it blowing.

After reading this board, I've noticed something.... and I am knocking on wood... LOL... but every motor I have read about that blew was being run at WOT. Even our cars can't be red lined all the time. If you drive your car at red line all the time, you blow that engine as well. So, I do my best not to run WOT everywhere I go on the lake. Nothing wrong with cruising between 45 and 60, with plenty left. Now I'll knock on wood again to make sure I don't blow tomorrow. *grin*

Danny

[CTFSHWHISKER]

asking for a motor to be guaranteed to start everytime is like asking for an 8lb bass guaranteed everytime.Maintenance and using one is a key to long service.Everyone has their favorite,just like lures.

[DJD]

My Pro V 150 Yamaha blew when i was not at WOT but it didn't matter according to the mechanic. He pretty much said what buzzking said....I'm still a fan of Yamaha!

[buzzking]

Well that depends on what you operating RPM range is danny. Take my motor for example, it makes the most HP between 5200 and 5800. If you are running lower than that designed range ( different for every motor) then you are lugging it and any experienced outboard mechanic will tell you this is as bad as redlining one all the time. I usually run around 5200-5300 and stay in the "power band" without redlining, thats how you make motors last, lugging them will kill them over time.

[Danny]

Buzz,

I'm going to certainly take your word for it. I've not blown one yet, Knock on wood, so I don't have the experience of anyone that has blown one.

DJD was the first one I've seen to admit to blowing one and not be at WOT, so it disproves my hypothesis, doesn't it??

One thing I may not have mentioned though is the preventitive maintance. I think that too is important. What do you think? Like I said, I'll defer to your experience.

Thanks Buzzer.... I appreciate the help,

Danny

[mrgolfcar]

I'm in Florida and do a lot of offshore fishing. Have had many boats and have many friends with boats from 20' up to 40'.
I myself have three boats. Some say I need my head examined. I do have however a 1985 26' Mako with a 225 Johnson on the back.
I also have a 2002 21' Hewes Redfish with a 225 Yama V Max on it. My Mako I have left sit for months (8-10) at one time, and it starts right up every time. It has never left me stranded and I've had this boat for 20 years. The Johnson is 1996. My Hewes however with the Yamaha V Max needs to head to the mechanic anytime I let it sit for more then three months. I've only had the Hewes for 7 years and I've spent more money on it in 7 years keeping it running then I have in 20 years owning the Mako. Just a thought to help anyone make a decission.

[Dobe Mejuwa]

2009 Honda 135 and only thing I've done to it has been oil changes, lower unit oil changes, and one set of filter changes. Starts everytime first attempt, idles smooth and quiet always,never so much as a hiccup.

[Lowerider]

Wow this post is a blast from the past! Still run my 2003 Honda 130 hard. I tournament fish and often make long runs WOT. The lower unit has needed a little love but the motor still purrs. No gauge but I'm sure I'm well over 1000 hours. It's never been in the shop for a motor issue. Would buy a Honda again for sure - problem is few dealers outfit their boats with em. Guess they don't make the same margin as they do suzukis b/c that's practically all you ever see anymore on the boats I use (non bass).