puchasing 4 stroke outboard, any recomendations?

[back40]

I'm looking at new outboards, in the 15-25hp range.

I've seen the Yamahas and Nissans, I will be looking at the Hondas.

Can anyone offer any experiences with these (or other) motors?

I have a 14' Lowes Jon boat, which currently has a 25 hp Johnson with electric start. I'll be trading in the motor, any advice on trade-ins?

I'll be using it primarily on the Grand, and small inland lakes.

[k8vol]

we have a 60hp efi merc on are new boat 2003 and it's a yamaha power head with mercs efi and merc lower unit it's it will run just a little less gas in a day as are 15 hp 2stroke merc and that one is a 2002 yr so there is a big fuel saving on 4 strokes . we are going to look at the 2005 25 hp efi 4 stroke 3cly merc's they are suzuki motor and merc efi on mercs lower unit the big thing is you don't need a battery to run the fuel injection and the weight is under 200LBs.a big plus is 3cyl to be smooth . johnson and erude may have a hot new one out there too. P.S. make sure you buy big enough becuse 4 strokes are a little slower out of the hole. also if you run a prop guard you lose some speed . are 15 run like a 9.9 with a prop guard. and the 60 runs like a 45 with the guard on it but it's a must on the Grand River or a jet outboard. hope this help you with picking a new motor. steve k8vol

[kbkrause]

Be sure to consider any extra weight a 4-stroke might add.

[archie holst]

I've had a four stroke Yamaha for four years now this motor has hundreds of hours trolling lake michigan and maybe one hundred hours towing tubers and skiers. Never a problem change the plugs, oil, filter, and lower unit lube once a year in the fall. No matter how cold it is in April when I want to troll lake Mi for browns it starts and purrs like a kitten.

[kroppe]

I have 2 Honda 4-strokes and can't speak highly enough about them. One is a 1997 90hp main engine and the other a 2004 9.9hp kicker. The 90hp is a 4 cylinder, essentially the Honda Civic engine design, but with 4x1bbl carbs instead of fuel injection. Extremely reliable, quiet and very fuel efficient. The 9.9hp is a great trolling motor, very quiet and seems like it uses no gas at all.

I have 100% confidence in Honda outboards, and recommend them highly.

[Houghton laker]

Looking at getting a 8 hp 2006 Honda......was concerned about the throttle...was told it is a little tough to set it at a desired speed...must lock it in place and the lock ring has a tendency to break??? Anyone with knowledge of these motors??

[TONGA]

if were going to buy a 4-stroke (and I'm not) I think I would buy a Yamaha. from watching Bills warenty work load they really seem to stand behind them.