Notoriously Unreliable Outboards!

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[@Trump985]

I can comment on the Etecs having had dozens of them and running them commercially. They were extremely reliable and long lived. Sure they ate the occasional injector or EMM but we’re talking about several years and thousands of hours between failures. I ran them for 4 or 5 years before replacing with new engines. We put around 7,500 hours on an outboard in 5 years. As for dealer nightmares I never had any. My dealer always had them fixed in a day or two at most. Granted taking an engine or boat to the dealer was a pain in the ass so I eventually bought the BRP diagnostic software, and it was pretty cheap. With a cheap laptop and the software replacing an injector was a very quick and easy job. EMM failures were almost always the charging system. The secret to long life with these things is to run the XD 100 oil on the XD 50 setting. BRP tells you to do this if your using it commercially. When I sold these engines they still ran like a raped ape even with 7500 hours. Calendar time was the killer of them after 5 years they started to have small electrical issues such as bad sensors and other minor issues. As a commercial operation even an hour or two of downtime to get and replace a sensor was unacceptable so I never ran one past 5 years. I have no idea how long they were good for but compared to the other outboards I’ve tried these things were exponentially more reliable. In my experience most of the other 2 stokes wouldn’t last more then about 1 or 2 years or about 2500 hours without a powerhead failure. When we had to go to 4 strokes we spent an incredible amount of time doing maintenance. Only maintenance on an etec was a set of spark plugs a couple times a year. The 4 stroke Suzukis and Yamahas require oil changes every couple weeks, timing belt jobs, ect. With a fleet of a dozen or more boats running 12 or more hours a day 7 days a week just keeping up with maintenance is a major pain in the ass and can only be done at night when the boats are not in service. Seems like every damn night your not going home after working 12 or more hours but doing maintenance. I absolutely loved the Etecs from a commercial operators point of view. They just didn’t need any maintenance and just made us money. I can absolutely understand how the maintenance of a 4 stroke isn’t an issue for a recreational boat or even a commercial singe boat operation. Not a big deal to change the oil on one or two engines once every couple weeks.

[@stevenwilson8718]

My 99 johnson outboard 2 stroke 4 cylinder is incredibly reliable. I bought it in 2010 and it hadn't been ran in about 6 years at the time. It started up immediately but needed carbs rebuilt because of sitting all those years with fuel in it. But since then, its been basically perfect. In the last 14 years ive only had to change change lower unit oil seals once and a spark plug wire once. Never even needed the spark plugs changed though I did change them once last year but only because it seemed crazy they never needed it. It ran the same. 25 years and its still perfect

[@myparadiseonbantayanisland9030]

The 2 strokes with carburetors especially after sitting for a while the gas component in the mixture would evaporate from the fuel bowls and the oil component would not evaporate and when starting you get a very high oil to gas ratio and hence the big cloud of smoke. I had 1995 Johnson ocean runners and wow those things could outdo a James Bond smoke screen.

[@jerrylanglois7892]

I've had them all over the decades and Tohatsu 4-stroke has been my most reliable, trouble free outboard -- considerably less expensive, too.

[@kaavest]

A tohatsu you can let stand out on you,r boat in 12 years, use it all summer and never stop until someone steal the boat and drive it drunk on a rock as my previous 25 , no i have a 9,8 , on a 10 feet driving 10 nautical miles to some islands all spring summer.

[@gunsandrotors8704]

And they come with a longer warranty than all of them. Plus the build they mercs 30hp and down. Love Tohatsu outboards.

[@jonah-n8l]

Suzuki also

[@ammanzoli]

I don't speak English, but the worst engine in Brazil is Mercury Optimax and it's horrible... I always watch the videos but with subtitles.. Please

[@Gggggh580]

Mercury launches a new engine for customers to test and in my opinion this is not correct, because in addition to the cost of the product there is the issue of safety and in my opinion it is more important.

[@tsdean1980]

F150 Yamaha had soft balancers shredding and clogging oil passages and and popping engines.

[@davidwatson1460]

You nailed it with the abuse and neglect. With the Ficht it was both of these and ignorance. I have a 2004 225 Ficht with over 130 psi on all cylinders, perfectly maintained by me. Always run ethanol free fuel, XD50 oil, new plugs “ indexed “ every year. To date has over 1000 hours. Proper maintenance is the Number 1 key.

[@Big.Nick.Thompson]

well let me chime in.. I ran a 01 225 Ficht for years.. I sent the emm to DFI technologies and had it redone. With proper yearly maintenance such as what you said above. Another thing is to back wash the cooling system through the service port on the back of the motor with the garden hose. When maintaining the Ficht like that and at the time period the performance that motor gave was incredible.

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

Really depended on how they were run. Habitually cruising at just the right throttle/load deposits soot on the cylinder walls and tear them up.

[@hookzsettv4842]

Me running off shore with a 99 ocean pro 175 😂

[@nickd7608]

Probably one of the most bulletproof engines ever made. Drink fuel but never die.

[@mikecrockett3669]

Unbelievable amazing discussion! Kudos to you guys and everyone who helped make this happen. You can’t describe a whole pie by one slice. Consumers have preconceived notions and individual frames of reference when it comes to descriptions and opinions. I have come to adopt a mantra in all things…..know what something is and what it isn’t. Advertising is meant to sell a product under the guise of educating the consumer! Again….great job and wonderful depth of knowledge. Very impressed.

[@RC-hn8sj]

The worst outboard I ever had was a Force 85. Hands down the worst outboards of all time! Had Carburated Mariners and Mercurys over time, Optimax 225 and 250xs, Mercury 300R 4S - they are all good. Only had one issue with the Optimax 250xs in 10 years (a coil caused a short in the ECU). Nesides that no worries.

[@dougsmith6896]

Interesting topic for certain. My 2006 Etec 40HP has run without fault. Always used high test gas XD50 oil and their gas additive. Can troll 8 hrs in a day without a hiccup with a 1/2 to 3/4 hr run out and again back in. Now 2023 and start of a new season without even taking a screwdriver out. My kicker is a 76 4 HP rude and has a carb rebuild and parts still easy to find.

[@mulletoutdooradventures6286]

Dude I love born again boating. This is a good question. I am a nut. I have been taking a 16ft 1967 starcraft over 40 miles offshore of NJ. I've ran Honda Merc 2 stroke and now a 4 stroke. My motor now is a 2020 40hp Merc. I love this motor. I never have any worry that is going to fail. Now my dad swore by the old OMC SeaDrive. We had one on a v20 steplift and a pair on a 250 sportsman. We never really had any out of the ordinary issues and he had the pair from 88 till 01. And they were still working when he got rid of the boat

[@benjaminhale1454]

I have a 2007 yamaha f40/30 jet drive that is carburared. In 2008 they went fuel injected. Its been an excellent engine. Nothing but normal maintenance. 3cyl

[@bigearl791]

Im running a original 1954 Johnson qd 15 10 hp . Just a tuneup was done as far as ive noticed runs good for 70 . It by today's standards is like a toy you can rebuild witha flathead screwdriver and a few wrenches . Anything ive had to work on takes a few minutes

[@scottsilver5409]

The direct injected 2 stroke engines of any brand even in the later years of their production runs still did not have the long-term longevity that you should get from a high priced engine. It was rare to see them last more than 500 to 1000 hours. And for their cost them longevity of the power head should be at least 1500 hours. Today's 4 strokes given that the oil is kept clean and full will last over 1500 hours .😂

[@davidwatson1460]

You can thank the EPA for most of these issues

[@gambanteinodal1246]

Best engine I have ever had (up until now) is a '06 Mercury Optimax 200xs ss sm. I ran the snot out of that engine (98,8mph on an Allison SS2000 boat) for 9 years without a single fault. Also it looked good, incredible fuel economy, good sound without the exhaust block off plate - fantastic. Bought it new.

[@scottsilver5409]

You guys miss the main problem with direct injected EPA mandated outboards whether early on or end of the era production . THEY DO NOT LAST !!! The % of these engines that make it past 1000 hours is very LOW !!! There are a high % of 4 stroke outboards out there with way over 1000 hours . There is a reason the auto industry does NOT go 2 stroke. The power to weight ratio of modern 4 strokes is way better than 20 years ago which was the main push for 2 strokes. The lubrication system of a 4 stroke is way way superior over a 2 stroke, just facts !!!

[@kipwyand7869]

Here is your most reliable outboard! Ready for it? Here it is: reliability requires proper, timely maintenance by the owner. You buy the Suzuki and then take the $15k savings over the Yamaha (your words) and put in a maintenance account for the Suzuki. The Suzuki will outlast the Yamaha as well as give you peace of mind due to proper maintenance, period.

[@theduckdad2859]

One thing. They really aren’t great for the northern cold climates. Even my old evinrude that can have trouble starting does better than the zuki

[@TheRdwyer]

I watched another video and the opinion was Suzuki is only 10 percent cheaper than Yamaha, which is still nice, but on a 250 at 18 - 19K that only 1800 to 1900, where does the 15k come into the picture.

[@axebeard7677]

naw

[@i1bike]

Suzuki is honda under the plastic cap, source: trust me bro. But no, it really is honda, but small suzuki 9.9-20 is yamaha, with everyone having same mitsubishi cpu-s haha

[@purplepenguin43]

I worked at a self guided outfit in alaska, 30+ boats all with yamaha I4’s those engines got the shit beat out of them buy guests thats had never driven a boat before and the a lot had 10k hours with only oil and water pump changes (and lower units but running aground aint the engines fault). We winterized them well, oil changes every 3 weeks, they just kept running. All the problems i remember weren’t the engines fault, clogged fuel injectors from degrading fuel lines, lower unit seals from getting stuff wrapped around the prop. There were even some old 4 carb f65 that probably had 20k+ hours on them, no idea how many actual hours as they didn’t have computers but they were the oldest engines there and fhe old reason they were being phased out was cause the new sabicraft hulls needed an f75 or f90 and longer shaft to fit and plane properly. Clean the carbs up after winterization and balance them and they were good to go. If you run your boat 100 hours a year, get what ever simple 4stroke takes your fancy and winterize if it sits longer then a week. If you run your boat 4k hours a year buy a yamaha.

[@WeSRT4]

2 stroke sucks and has always sucked. UNRELIABLE, inefficient, and dirty.

[@christianmani1730]

My 2000 Yamaha 150 DI 2-stroke was the best outboard I’ve ever had. That thing ran and ran and ran, and then it ran some more.

[@ob08]

1985 VRO 235 hp johnson/evinrude. Horrendously bad motor.

[@orlandoduran7740]

i used to have a 2002 20 hp 2 stroke merc that we bought new, we had it for like 17 years and onkly did a impeller and plugs once , never let me stranded.... had a 2005 200hp ox66 nothing but reliability, currently have a 2006 50hp 2 stroke yamaha and a 2018 90 yamaha

[@summerland6397]

Anything that cannot be fixed on the water without a specialized tech on board is unreliable.

[@SkiFanatix]

I've seen a lot of early f225 f250 and optimax loose a piston and suzuki 350 are nothing but problems. Imo newer suzuki 200-300 are the most reliable engines right now.

[@jrbuch]

My mechanic here in Australia won't touch any Evinrude. I use a Yamaha 130 V4 2 stroke. 130psi on all four cylinders and has been reliable. It has never failed to get me home and damn does it pull hard. My only gripe are warm restarts with heatsoak. That's 2 strokes for you though - having to re-prime the engine.

[@giggiddy]

I quit watching when he said hes not a yamaha man. Every brand has its issues. But to make such a broad statement on a brand that is used world wide, commercially, with very few problems, is a turn off. They are known for their high price and reliability. C'mon guys.

[@JoeyBagOfDonuts-r1y]

The evinrude e-tec infomercials always cracked me up.

[@TheBoatersPodcast]

Lol Right! I knew they were going under as soon as I head them blasting that 10 year warranty and no service for 5 years! LOL WHAT!

[@frankfraga295]

Proud owner of a 94 Mercury Xri 175. The motor is just too easy to rebuild myself. The boat racing community loves the Mercury 2.5l v6 for a good reason.

[@thelikebutton4405]

Exactly. These guys really have no clue lol.

[@UltraMagaFan]

I have a carbureted 1999 Johnson 150 on my boat. It’s a great motor. I love the thing. It’s super reliable for a 2 stroke. It’s a shame OMC did the Ficht injection and went out of business.

[@kennys51]

I enjoyed watching the video. Thanks for putting it together. I personally have been around Suzuki’s for many years. I have never had problems with them. I just purchased a DF350, I have read good and bad things. However, you can find that with all motors.

[@SFC-2017]

There is a big difference between the first gen ETECs and the ETEC G2

[@malekodesouza7255]

It’s like the auto industry. Never buy a vehicle with a first few years new engine or transmission design. Once they hit the market the problems surface. Then the engineers solve the problems.

[@CL-ok1gx]

If you don't need fancy just a work horse 1980's evinrudes are tough and super easy to fix.

[@carlmaro]

I'm an old man at "53" but my 96 Intruder 150 is a bullet proof work horse. I'll run her till she blows or the government says i can't.

[@mrfofff]

1996 Evinrude 15hp, starts 1st pull every time.

[@floridasaltlife]

Lets hit on what you guys know/think about the 250hp Suzuki's, they are crazy popular in central west gulf coast and the smaller older mechanical version has been around a very long time.

[@floridasaltlife]

Oh ya, you gotta discuss synthetic oils for use in outboards too !! good bad ugly ??

[@Brad-id7ge]

Not saying etecs are the greatest but ive have less trouble with the etec then my yamaha. Im suprised at the 16:50 etecs reliability because i thought they were trash but mine has well over a 1000hrs with zero issues. I have done all the maintenance tho.

[@DMZ9999]

Just a suggestion, some commentary on how you guys started, were you around boats as a kid, worst job, best job, etc. Would be interesting especially considering how young you all seem.

[@jonah-n8l]

My grandpa baught new in 87’ a Yamaha pro v 150j passed down to my uncle and passed down to me 15 yrs ago, the motor has been flawless until last year had to finally change the power pack! $300 on eBay I changed it myself . Runs like new !

[@terryogletree2128]

Don't redline your motor , keep good gas in it and keep up on the maintenance and that will eliminate 99 percent of your problems and use it more than 2-3 times a year

[@MD-173]

On a Podcast note , camera work, The master shot thrown in there is a good move. Better viewing experience.

[@raychoncla]

Any opinions on those 1989-2006 Mercury 6-15 HP 2 Stroke outboards? I got a 1995 9.9 2 Smoker, I will say that it's a bulletproof engine, run's phenomenal, 1150 Hours of use and almost 30 years later, and still fires first pull, mix it at 50:1, and she'll last forever with proper maintenance. Still wish they made those little gas hogs. Coming from someone who has owned one, these are bulletproof gas hogs.

[@OttoTheWeim]

I’m a firm believer that reliability has a lot to do with taking care of it. I ran multiple 2 stroke Evinrude/Johnson motors from 35-70hp on ducks boats and would run them year round. Below 0 temps to summers in the 90’s. I would change lower oil before each season so twice a year. Plugs each year, impellers once a year. Those motors are still running with new owners. I’m running a Honda 75 and a Mercury 90 now and they also run as long as you care for them.

[@TheBoatersPodcast]

Maintenance is the total key for sure!

[@freetexan246]

I’ve got a 2005 Yamaha TLR 115 2 stroke on my first boat. Glad to hear y’all say some good things about it.

[@TheBoatersPodcast]

Love that engine!

[@johnbecker5213]

merc tower of power is the ultimate in garbage and yamahas

[@i1bike]

Dont really have tendency taking serious people who wear cap indoors, especially combined with headphones. To be honest, its like listening 2 ricers, how are ricers called in boating world. Yachtcers ?

[@MrWightHD]

It's the habit of the low intelligence and rude

[@RisenAgain]

Shut up lol

[@RisenAgain]

Nobody takes you seriously in your life life lol

[@i1bike]

@@RisenAgain Only your sister, mum and wife. They are taking it really seriously

[@huntm7592]

I agree modern outboards are all reliable. The Yamaha 150 I agree with then for me next would be Suzuki 200 I have been running my Suzuki 200 for years now with zero issues and any thing over 200hp go with mercury.

[@thomasfoucart5021]

Got a 2011 Optimax 150 in brazil on a 21ft boat, 400h in one and a half year for whale watching, service by authorized mechanic and few issues with temperature, many issue with getting part and service (run already 200h without thermostat at 44-54°C because of supply and service difficulties), but always came back from 10miles off shore trip. But would prefer the silence at idle and the reliability of the dual 4 stroks powered boat.

[@breakfastboyboating]

Curious to hear your thoughts on the tower of power engines. I have one on a classic Glastron and it’s nearly 50 years old now. There’s usually one thing every year that needs attention but it’s still going very strong for me. That being said I am a lake boater.

[@snatchbloock]

I run a 2003 Johnson 115 on my classic Boston Whaler. I bought it new and have run it with very few issues. I disabled the VRO oil injection a few years ago and the motor just runs great. I don't run anything but recreational fuel and it's a beast of a motor.

[@tomstarcevich1147]

I have a 1995 Johnson 90 hp fast strike I got rid of my oil injection also it still runs great 👍

[@CptAJbanned]

I would say that the need for service and unnecessary failures factors into reliability. The more things you need to service, to keep track of and be mindful of, the more unreliable I would consider the motor. Users will always forget to do things or won't afford to. If your motor needs to be pampered and cared for by a certified technician ever 2 weeks or it dies, then its gotta be considered less reliable than a motor than can go 500 hours unattended. I also think modern computer failure modes like bad trim sensors and such are a form of unreliability. Its 2023, you should be able to inform the user of the nature of the problem and let the user disable the warning and safe-mode.

[@enduro22re]

If your outboard is so complex that only a specialized Tech can work on it then it is a bad outboard!

[@TheBoatersPodcast]

Thats the trending issue once you get over a 150HP outboard :/

[@SorinClenci]

Well Came across this post 1 year late but I have the 1st batch 371st 4 Carby 90hp BA Honda that I got in 96 used it mainly for trolling until 2005 Zero problems whatsoever. I was unable to go fishing for 19 years and all I did new Oil filter, Oil , Spark Plugs Gear Oil and it purrs just like it did in 2005.

[@JR-ho5qm]

Good video guys. Just wanted to say that Evinrude did not go out of business, they are still making parts and servicing old engines. In fact they are still making outboards under the Rotax name. The new motors share allot with the G2 which is a fantastic outboard that I wish you guys would have touched on. 👍🏻

[@martinmcquaide4807]

I'll take old 2 stroke Johnsons with carburetors anyway. Even non-vro, I can mix. So easy to work on, and no payments. I see these boats today with 4 engines, payments gotta be 4-5k a month. No thanks I don't like my job that much.

[@ajrestivo]

Suzuki df150s. Only issue I've ever had was the data cable to the Guage. And trim tilt motors. Around 1000 hours

[@markcarter3552]

I have a 1999 E115 Ficht. It is so complicated to work on. My JH 115 SPL 90 degree, 1997 is an old charm, easy powerful, reliable.

[@frankwalker1075]

Wow, I must be very lucky as I have a 2018 90 hp Etec (400 hrs on it) and it runs great! I live in the Detroit area and there are still a lot of them running around here. Lockeman's Hardware and Boats in Detroit still provides excellent service on them. Up here, I've always heard Force outboards were the worst outboards ever made.

[@christianmgtow4744]

Any brand that introduces a high tech direct injection outboard to mechanics that have no idea what they are looking at is a recipe for dinner without chicken. I can guarantee 90 of the failures are contributed from stupid mechanics.

[@randydevoe4803]

My only suggestion to any marine engine owner: do not buy motor brand oil e.g. Yamalube. Yamaha is not an oil company. USE ONLY AMSOIL for everything: Engine and Gear!

[@barrychouinard4019]

Spoken like a couple of guys that have absolutely no idea how painful it was to live through 2 stroke direct injection development. Clueless. Put it this way, you buy a new boat today, it cost you 50G in the first year because it won't run. How to you "FEEL" Some of these outboards were outright theft from the general public. Pull the money out of your pocket and tell me how it feels.

[@bigfootyeti3690]

Ox66 2 stroke fuel injection V-MAX 150. 13 years old when I Sold it. Still running today. 24 years later... best motor ever YAMAHA!

[@johnelsonjr.6008]

OMC The Original Parent Company of Evinrude and Johnson Outboard Motors. I have had Different H.P. of these 2 Brands and No Problems. I Currently run a 90 Evinrude XP 200 2 Stroke on a 91 STRATOS 201 Pro with No Problems. Great running Outboard ❤ 👍💯🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@shingnosis]

We run a professional charter fleet. Several thousand hours of hard use in different hands. Honda > Yamaha > Mercury = Suzuki >>> Evinrude Stay away from brand new products, preferably buy something which has been on the market for at least two years.

[@markkus1134]

Evinrude never fixed I still see them for sale always low hour motor skeg looks brand new with no paint missing Junk!!!!!

[@pgfyfe25]

My dad had early L6 250 verado and had so many issues. Warranty supercharger due to issues, steering fluid leaking out of casting etc

[@pgfyfe25]

We also had the first gen Yamaha 40hp 4stroke on a center console rib that was so reliable, serviced once a year and used nearly every weekend with no issues for 5 years for junior sail training and family trips. We blew the bottom of the boat out and had to reglass the bottom and put in additional stringers to stiffen it due to prolonged abuse but no engine issues

[@pgfyfe25]

Also old Yamaha 15hp 2stoke are very reliable

[@tomredman]

I had a boat with twin 90 Fichts on it, ran it for 2 years 0 issues, i currently have a 300hp G2, im only 8 months and 30 hours into my ownership of it so far, its had one issue with the magnets coming off the flywheel, stuck em back on with some JB weld seems to be going ok since. compared to a 250 honda 4 stroke it runs like a madman The reason for the serial numbers on the injectors, is they all flow slightly differently at different RPMS, this is checked in the factory and you need to give this data to the ECU when fitting to ensure correct fuel quantity's are injected. The software for a G1 can be brought for about $50 i think. for the G2 its more expensive. Contrary to what these guys say, you can see on a modern outboard what sort of abuse it has taken. You can get the service records for it to check its been looked after, and you can get a print out from the ECU which will tell you things like time at all the RPMS, max RPM recorded, records of over heats or issues, etc. This will give you a pretty good idea of the way its been run

[@brians.4488]

U can't hook up a computer to it. Back in the 80s Kenny Baldwin in Havasu was a master at high horsepower 2 strokes. Folks would drive 500 miles or more sometimes for him to do powerheads. 3 carbs 6 cylinders all tuned by ear and feel

[@OttoTheWeim]

I still refuse to buy a Suzuki. They are cheap for a reason and aren’t the kind of motor that will stand the test of time. They make cheap disposable cars and I expect nothing more from an outboard.

[@Dustinscustoms]

We ran two Yamaha 350s on a push Boat push in a couple hundred tons of sand cranes and excavators a lot of times in the ponds in the current. You have those things redline for 1015 minutes at a time steady push and 4500 RPMs all day.

[@Boaters_hub]

I have a 01 evinrude ficht 135 on a separate boat (have 5+ boats in my circle) 10000% agreed. Most unreliable engine and no one will touch it😂 nailed it Now i have a yamaha 70 on my skiff one of those bulletproof yamaha designs. The 25/50/70/90 2 stroke yamahas were legendary. You guys are killing it with these podcasts. You bring up that shops wont touch 2 strokes down there. They still work on them here some shops but dealerships wont touch anything older than 5 years.

[@DustinKeating-yk3vq]

Don't forget the 115 and the 130

[@LevelheadedMind]

What is the most reliable engine? Or does this weigh heavily on the owner, maintenance, and upkeep? I guess a good topic would be what is the most reliable boat for a terrible boat owner!

[@bigfootyeti3690]

Yamaha is the only motor company that makes boats as well, skeeter is owned by Yamaha

[@scottwilliams5503]

150 johnson 2 stroke . I put gas in it turn key and it flies ..winter pull. Runi out gas while its flushing w/ fresh water .fog it . See you next season 22 years now ..very reliable , fast too

[@robertotto5811]

When you got to the part of the discussion about reliability, how did you not mention the Hondas? In the early 2000s, when all the other manufacturers were struggling with their fuel injection systems on their four-strokes, Honda got it right. Those 130s were unstoppable. I had one for over 20 years. It started first try every time.

[@boonecountyautomotive3986]

I got a 53 johnson 3 horse that never misses a beat has a crack in the lower unit cant fill the lower unit cause the plugs are froze in carb leaks gas if it doesnt sit up perfectly straight but it fires first pull every time and gets me out and back pushing a 16 foot bass tracker

[@ericvonp]

I use my weed wacker.

[@8180634]

Picking on the carbureted 4 strokes, I'm still running a 99' Honda that has been the epitome of reliability. No idea how many hours because I've been through 4 hour meters and it ran a few years without one, the 4th hour meter currently reads over 600 hours. Almost all salt use, year round. It does get cared for properly, not looking forward to replacing it but realize I'm on borrowed time at this point.

[@richardferrell4362]

600 hours on a 25 yr old motor ain't shit. You take it out twice a month for an hour?

[@8180634]

@@richardferrell4362 re read. The motor likely has a couple thousand hours, the 4th hour meter reads 600 (closer to 800 now I think). I don't remember what the other 3 read when they died, and it went several years without one.

[@tucanman9775]

the first mercury 4 strokes wer mercahas half yamaha what a mess parts? forget it ! we had to toss it and repower After thousands spent trying fixing it what a lemon

[@andreas4687]

im still using a 6hp evinrude made in 1974. only some hours every year but its amazing enough its still alive even without running that much^^

[@ezramason5816]

I feel like the young guy watches team marine services with Andy lol

[@adambrodahl9849]

These guys break down why they have their opinions a little better. I do like Andy. But he tends to under describe issues . When he does his over under. Why even bring up the electronics unless something isn't offered. Just give damn base price in why u like the boat. He spends half time listing same parts he choses on every boat😊

[@gufiaito69able]

How about 2000 mercury 225 EFI? How reliable are they got a boat with 600 hrs.

[@Bill-sp8kb]

Three 4,000 horsepower, EMD 16-710's. Just kidding! 😂😂

[@tonyv9712]

I ride Yami and Suzuki all day

[@Onthewater763]

Great discussion! Yamaha F115 right up there with F150 reliability !

[@TheBoatersPodcast]

True that!

[@cskipper65]

Most reliable 4 stroke is a honda. They are based on their vehicle motors and we know how reliable they are.

[@sliversandsparks]

You guys are an absolute wealth of knowledge. keep it up thank you.👍🇨🇦

[@captquest1]

I went through the whole etech fuel injector thing. I fumbled and stumbled my way through it, and learned how. Got the software learned how to generate the necessary data file for each injector replaced and serviced all 6 injectors successfully. Again there was some trial-and-error involved for sure, once I understood it it's really quite simple.

[@TheBoatersPodcast]

Nice!

[@ericnortan9012]

I just bought a Suzuki df40 for a 15' runabout we are restoring. Always had Mercury's, the boat we are restoring had a Johnson Super Sea horse 2 stroke. I chose the Suzuki because from my research these motors are very reliable. We will see.

[@Turbotalkin]

I run a 24ft hydrasport 97 ocean pro 225 40-50 miles offshore

[@DustinKeating-yk3vq]

I got a 2007 Yamaha 115 2 stroke and I think it's a bullet proof motor

[@56igadget]

Chrysler made outboard motors in the seventies complete junk

[@ronfrederick9983]

Those companies used their customers as their quality control mechanism.

[@DustinKeating-yk3vq]

I passed up a deal for boat with a 115 optimax I'm glad I went with the Yamaha 115 2 stroke

[@johnjohnson9135]

Most reliable boat engine is the one you NEVER bought it!~

[@brians.4488]

A lot of guys are into buying old champs the pre 2004 champs and completely going thru all the wiring , transom and repowering. That's the only way to make a 20+ year old bass boat reliable.

[@TheBoatersPodcast]

I'm with you on that

[@roncaptain9527]

I own two etecs... Theg came with the boat.. I can not wait until they become Phantom Black !

[@ralphjones7240]

I have a 40HP ETEC that has been great. If I had to replace it then tohatsu.

[@dginta7932]

Personally I think what BRP did to their customers, when they exited Evinrude, is the definition of unreliable.

[@TheBoatersPodcast]

Yeah, that's true :/